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News | May 11, 2021

Army South strengthens cooperation in Jamaica with humanitarian assistance, disaster relief response

By Leanne Thomas U.S. Army South Public Affairs

Brig. Gen. Alcides V. Faria, U.S. Army South deputy commanding general for interoperability, represented the U.S. Army and conducted a walk-through of the second field hospital donated to Jamaica by the U.S. through U.S. Southern Command.

The hospital was set up in Spanish Town by the Jamaica Defence Force on March 31 with the capacity to care for up to 70 patients impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the visit, Faria also met with representatives from the U.S. Agency of International Development, the Jamaica Defence Force and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management to gain a better perspective on how Jamaica is coping with COVID-19 and preparing for Hurricane season 2021.

“The visit was important to continue strengthening the enduring U.S.-Jamaica partnership and gain a better understanding of Jamaica’s disaster relief response capabilities and how U.S. Army South may assist,” said Faria.

According to the Jamaica Gleaner, Faria also had a discussion concerning a third hospital to be donated by the U.S. through SOUTHCOM to arrive later this year. SOUTHCOM intends to donate one field hospital to the Jamaican Defence Force Disaster Response Team to amplify its response to a local or regional humanitarian crisis or sudden onset of disaster.

U.S. Army South is committed to supporting the efforts of partner nations to increase institutional capacity and regional collaboration for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, one of the greatest challenges facing the region.

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