Canadian Forces personnel deploy to Jamaica to train troops for Haiti mission

Approximately 70 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members were deployed to Jamaica on Friday to train military personnel from several Caribbean countries who are bound for Haiti as part of a multinational security force led by Kenya and backed by the United Nations.

The Canadian personnel will provide training on core peacekeeping skills and combat first aid to troops from Jamaica, Belize and the Bahamas — member countries of the Caribbean economic and political bloc known as CARICOM — the CAF said in a joint press release with the Department of National Defence on Saturday.

The CARICOM troops are expected to help support the Haitian National Police in their efforts to restore security for people in Haiti, the statement said.

The Canadian-led training mission, known as Operation HELIOS, will take place at the CAF's Operational Support Hub in Jamaica.

The Canadian deployment will last for an initial period of one month, where the CAF expects to train around 330 CARICOM troops, said the release. The Canadian personnel deployed are primarily from the 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment from Valcartier, Que.

«Canada is stepping up with important contributions to Haiti's security. We will continue to support Haitian-led efforts to build stability,» said Minister of National Defence Bill Blair in the release.

'Cataclysmic' situation in Haiti

Haiti's gang wars have intensified in recent weeks with heavily armed rivals unleashing fresh waves of attacks, including raids on police stations and the international airport.

Over 1,500 people have been killed so far this year in the ensuing violence, said a UN human rights office report Thursday, describing the «cataclysmic» situation in Haiti.

The report documents 4,451 killings last year and