With the participation of a KC-390 Millennium aircraft, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) participated in the mission to help those affected by an earthquake and a tropical cyclone in recent weeks. On the 23rd, the plane landed in the city of Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti.
The Multidisciplinary Humanitarian Mission was triggered by the Brazilian Government, through an interministerial action involving Justice and Public Security (MJSP), Defense (MD), Foreign Affairs (MRE), Health (MS) and Regional Development (MDR) , when the Interministerial Working Group on International Humanitarian Cooperation took the decision, on August 18, to send , in an emergency response to the tragedy.
“Haiti has received humanitarian aid from several countries, but the team in Brazil is specifically targeted at the needs of the region most affected by the earthquake. It will be three weeks collaborating directly with Haitians”, said Minister Marissol Romaris, Chargé d'Affaires at the Brazilian Embassy in the country, who received the mission at the International Airport of Port-au-Prince.
The aircraft transported 32 military firefighters from the Fire Department of the Federal District, Minas Gerais and also from the National Public Security Force (FNSP), about seven tons of emergency materials and equipment and another 3,5 tons of medicines and strategic supplies. .
Among the transported material, there are also equipment for hospital use made available by the National Force of the Unified Health System (FN-SUS), such as stretchers, cervical collars, screens and others.
The Ministry's pharmaceutical assistance also provided regular human insulin, a drug that acts quickly in cases of shock, caused by an abnormal decrease in blood volume.
“We are bringing in a team specialized in search and rescue, which has already collaborated in events like Brumadinho [MG]. We are also reinforced by two dogs that will help in the mission”, explained Colonel Firefighter Marcelo Teixeira Dantas, commander of the mission staff.
“When called upon to collaborate in ing disaster relief, the Brazilian Air Force is always quick. We can see the satisfaction of all the military in being able to contribute effectively so that we can reach distant places and fulfill missions like this one in Haiti”, stressed the Head of the National Center for Risk and Disaster Management of the Ministry of National Integration, Armin Braun, who is the General Coordinator of the Humanitarian Mission.
After activation, an aircraft from the First Troop Transport Group (1st GTT) – Zeus Squadron was prepared for the mission. Still in Brazil, the plane made technical stops in Cachimbo (PA) and Boa Vista (RR).
In Roraima, the aircraft was refueled and the crew replaced. Customs and immigration procedures also took place in the locality.
According to the pilot of the aircraft, Captain Romulo dos Santos Pinto, it is rewarding to carry out this type of mission.
“We know that the situation is not easy for the Haitian population, so I am proud of the opportunity to represent the comion of the Brazilian people, who are very ive, in addition to showing the readiness of the FAB”, scored.
The General Director of Civil Protection of Haiti, Jerry Chandler, thanked the sent help.
“For our country, the history of that Brazil has with Haiti is very gratifying. We know that we can always count on the collaboration of this great nation to help us”, he stressed.
Photos: Private Wilhan Campos/ CECOMSAER
Street: FAB
