BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) deployed a contingent as part of the Regional Security System’s (RSS) humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) mission to St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) in the aftermath of the La Soufrière volcano eruption.
Two offshore patrol vessels from the Barbados Coast Guard (BCG), HMBS RUDYARD LEWIS and LEONARD C BANFIELD departed HMBS PELICAN at 2144hrs to deliver the first batch of over seven tons of relief supplies from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Department of Emergency Management, CARICOM IMPACS and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force among other agency donors. The supplies comprised mainly of drinking water, water testing kits and cots.
Attorney General Dale Marshall, expressed sincere appreciation on behalf of the prime minister and people of Barbados, to the contingent for their courage to face unknown operational theatres, as part of Barbados’ support to its neighbouring sister island. He went on to say, that although as Barbadians we have never experienced a volcano or similar hazardous events, he remained confident in the BDFs capabilities through its training and brave personnel to be successful during this mission.
As the contingent prepared to sail, Commander Peterson reminded the personnel of their valued contributions and resilience thus far for the year 2021, as the Force continues to protect Barbados’ national security interests. He noted that in the midst of the Force’s efforts confronting the second wave of COVID-19 locally, they should also be proud of their interdiction successes of over $5 million in narcotics for the year.
The members of the BDF will continue to pray for our sister island and wish our servicepersons fair and following seas.
Source: BDF
