Joint Task Force-Matthew is supporting the critical, early stages of U.S. disaster assistance to Haiti led by USAID. As the ongoing international relief mission progresses and more experienced experts arrive to aid longer-term recovery and reconstruction, we anticipate U.S. military capabilities will no longer be needed, and any remaining tasks performed by the task force will be assumed by other, more experienced relief organizations.
Imagery
U.S. Marine Sgt. Jordan Becker, left, a cyber network specialist with Joint Task Force Matthew, offloads a generator from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with the help of the Brazilian service members at Jeremie, Haiti, Oct. 15, 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adwin Esters)
Latest Developments
October 18
As of Oct. 18, Joint Task Force-Matthew helicopters have delivered more than 559,000 pounds (253 metric tons) of relief commodities (aid and supplies) to areas devastated by Hurricane Matthew.
More than 2,000 personnel and 11 helicopters aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) continue to support USAID-led relief operations in Haiti.
Iwo Jima is operating in Haitian waters between Port-au-Prince and areas affected by Hurricane Matthew in southwestern Haiti. Iwo Jima is one of the largest amphibious ships in the world and provides greater capabilities and flexibility to the task force.
More than 300 task force and logistics support personnel remain on the ground in Haiti and will depart in the coming days.
Background Info
SOUTHCOM directed U.S. military forces to Haiti Oct. 5 to support a request by the government of Haiti to provide U.S. disaster relief operations led by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA).
Any U.S. military foreign disaster relief mission is in support of U.S. Agency for International Development/Office of U.S Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), which serves as the lead U.S. federal agency for foreign disaster relief efforts.
Support must be requested by the host nation. U.S. military forces support the comprehensive U.S. government disaster response approach led by USAID/OFDA.
Historically, U.S. military capabilities are needed most in the critical early stages of a disaster relief operation, when fewer resources, capabilities and disaster-response experts are available to help victims and impacted communities. As those disaster-relief missions progress and more experienced experts arrive to aid longer-term recovery and reconstruction, U.S. military capabilities are no longer requested, and roles previously performed by military units are assumed by other, more experienced relief organizations.
Over the last several years, SOUTHCOM has provided disaster assistance to Haiti to help the Caribbean nation prepare for storms like Hurricane Matthew and other natural disasters, including the construction of emergency operations centers, disaster relief warehouses, fire stations and community centers that double as shelters. The command has also donated search and rescue boats, as well as transport vehicles to Haitian emergency response and civil protection agencies.
Resources
Hurricane Matthew assessment tools and maps (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency)
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: Hurricane Matthew page
USAID's Hurricane Matthew Relief page