Canada deploys an Assessment Team and elements of the Disaster Assistance Response Team to assist in humanitarian crisis in Nepal

 

OTTAWA – (Sunday), an assessment team and elements of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) deployed from Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario. The Canadian Armed Forces is currently pre-positioning its personnel and resources in order to ensure a prompt reaction, in line with Government of Canada direction, to assist in the aftermath of an earthquake in Nepal.

Quick Facts

  • Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Humanitarian Assistance Reconnaissance Team (HART) depart from CFB Trenton, Ontario on April 26, 2015 to help the earthquake victims in Nepal. Image by: Corporal Dan Strohan, 8 Wing Imaging TN09-2015-0282-014 ©2015 DND-MDNCanada
    Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Humanitarian Assistance Reconnaissance Team (HART) depart from CFB Trenton, Ontario on April 26, 2015 to help the earthquake victims in Nepal.
    Image by: Corporal Dan Strohan, 8 Wing Imaging
    TN09-2015-0282-014
    ©2015 DND-MDNCanada

    On April 26, a CC-177 Globemaster III and its air crew will transport the assessment team as well as relief supplies, medical personnel and firefighters as part of the Light Urban Search and Rescue (LUSAR) team.

  • The assessment team will assist the Interdepartmental Strategic Support Team (ISST) in performing its needs assessment and the other personnel will provide initial support and medical assistance once they arrive in Nepal.
  • The Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) is one component of Canada’s toolkit to respond to natural disasters abroad. It is a military organization ready to deploy quickly to conduct emergency relief operations.
  • Yesterday the Government of Canada announced it will support experienced humanitarian organizations with $5 million to provide life-saving assistance to meet the urgent needs of people affected by the earthquake in Nepal. Canada is also a contributor to international rapid response mechanisms that ensure partner organizations are able to act immediately at the onset of a crisis.

Quotes

Traffic Technicians from 2 Air Movements Squadron prepare the cargo of equipment and supplies required by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Humanitarian Assistance Reconnaissance Team (HART) to help the earthquake victims in Nepal at CFB Trenton, Ontario on April 26, 2015. Image by: Corporal Dan Strohan, 8 Wing Imaging TN09-2015-0282-012 ©2015 DND-MDNCanada
Traffic Technicians from 2 Air Movements Squadron prepare the cargo of equipment and supplies required by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Humanitarian Assistance Reconnaissance Team (HART) to help the earthquake victims in Nepal at CFB Trenton, Ontario on April 26, 2015.
Image by: Corporal Dan Strohan, 8 Wing Imaging
TN09-2015-0282-012
©2015 DND-MDNCanada

“In support of Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development and in cooperation with our other government department partners, we are moving swiftly to assist Nepal in this time of need. Canada has consistently demonstrated strong support for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations at home and throughout the world.”

~ Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence

“We extend our deepest condolences to the people of Nepal in the aftermath of this terrible earthquake. Our personnel are currently prepositioning to assess the needs of the affected population and the most efficient way to provide emergency relief. The Department of National Defence and the CAF stand ready to help save lives, maintain a stable environment, and assist in reconstruction where it is needed.”

~ General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff

Source Department of National Defence

 

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