Overview
U.S. military efforts were in support of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.
In Haiti, the U.S. military worked in coordination with USAID, the Government of Haiti, other international partners, and non-governmental organizations (NGO) to provide relief to the people of Haiti, as requested by their government. The main mission was to facilitate disaster relief operations to rapidly reduce the suffering of survivors.
The role of U.S. military forces during this disaster relief support mission was to rapidly respond with critically needed capabilities to deliver assistance and aid to areas the Government of Haiti deems most necessary. The U.S. military provides unique capability in support of USAID Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance efforts until local resources have the capacity and capability to assume and manage humanitarian assistance requirements.
We have stood side by side with Haiti and its people for decades and we will continue to be with Haiti through this natural disaster.
Background Information
The U.S. military has a history of supporting USAID-led relief missions and working with international relief organizations and host countries to aid those afflicted by disasters
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.