Supporting Hurricane Matthew Relief in Haiti

Joint Task Force-Matthew supported the critical, early stages of U.S. disaster assistance to Haiti led by USAID. U.S. military forces delivered more than 600,000 pounds of aid to areas devastated by Hurricane Matthew.

NOTE: This page is no longer being updated, but remains posted for historical reference.

A look at Department of Defense support to the Haiti airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission as of Jan 3, 2025.

A look at Department of Defense support to the Haiti airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission as of Nov. 20, 2024.

A look at Department of Defense support to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, as of Oct. 7, 2024.

A look at Department of Defense support to the Haiti airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission preparation efforts, as of Sept. 6, 2024.

Military personnel unload a vehicle from a military transport aircraft.

Military personnel stand in a transport aircraft with a vehicle.

Infographic highlighting Department of Defense support to the Haiti airport security and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission preparation efforts, as of 3:00 pm EDT, May, 14, 2024.

Airmen from the 482d Fighter Wing and Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) join forces with the 317th Airlift Wing, who provided their C-130 Hercules, blaze the trail in loading pallets of medical supplies and electrolyte solution at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., on April 26, 2024.

Pallets of oral hydration fluid are loaded onto a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules at Homestead Air Reserve Base.

Hurricane Matthew Relief Press Releases

Oct. 19, 2016

Update on Joint Task Force-Matthew Relief Mission in Haiti, October 19, 2016

Oct. 18, 2016

Update on Joint Task Force-Matthew Relief Mission in Haiti, October 18, 2016

Oct. 17, 2016

Update on Joint Task Force-Matthew Relief Mission in Haiti, October 17, 2016

Oct. 16, 2016

Update on Joint Task Force-Matthew Relief Mission in Haiti, October 16, 2016

Oct. 15, 2016

Update on Joint Task Force-Matthew Relief Mission in Haiti, October 15, 2016

Oct. 14, 2016

Update on Joint Task Force-Matthew Relief Mission in Haiti, October 14, 2016

Background Info

SOUTHCOM directed U.S. military forces to Haiti Oct. 5 to support a request by the government of Haiti to provide U.S. disaster relief operations led by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA).

Any U.S. military foreign disaster relief mission is in support of U.S. Agency for International Development/Office of U.S Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), which serves as the lead U.S. federal agency for foreign disaster relief efforts.

Support must be requested by the host nation. U.S. military forces support the comprehensive U.S. government disaster response approach led by USAID/OFDA.

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.

Over the last several years, SOUTHCOM has provided disaster assistance to Haiti to help the Caribbean nation prepare for storms like Hurricane Matthew and other natural disasters, including the construction of emergency operations centers, disaster relief warehouses, fire stations and community centers that double as shelters. The command has also donated search and rescue boats, as well as transport vehicles to Haitian emergency response and civil protection agencies.