Operation HAMLET

Canadian Forces commitment in Haiti

Five Canadian staff officers are serving in Haiti with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), which was authorized on April 30, 2004, by UN Security Council Resolution 1542. The initial six-month term for the mission set by UNSCR 1542 has been extended three times, most recently in June 2005 until February 2006.

The mandate of MINUSTAH is to support the constitutional process in Haiti and help maintain a secure and stable environment.

Four staff officers are serving in senior positions at MINUSTAH Headquarters, in Port-au- Prince, including one serving as Chief of Staff. The Canadian Forces’ participation in MINUSTAH is called Operation HAMLET.

In November 2005, following a request from the United Nations, another CF officer deployed, to work with the MINUSTAH Electoral Assistance Section as part of the Elections Assistance Task Force, which provides support to the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) of Haiti. The MINUSTAH Elections Assistance Task Force facilitate the timely integration of existing mission resources that will enable an increased level of assistance to be provided to the CEP for the conduct of elections. The first round of elections is expected to begin in January 2006.

The Canadian commitment in Haiti immediately preceding Operation HAMLET was Operation HALO, which began in March 2004 with the deployment of 450 personnel and six CH-146 Griffon helicopters with the United Nations Multinational Interim Force to help bring stability to the country. Operation HALO ended on August 2004.

Images of CF operations in Haiti are available from the Canadian Forces Image Gallery.