Operación Hispaniola Explained

Operación Hispaniola^[1] (Operation Hispaniola^[2]) was Spain's military relief operation for Haiti, following the 12 January 2010 earthquake. The mission was expected to last until at least 4 May 2010.^[3]

The headquarters for the mission was the SPS Castilla.^[2] Their encampment at Petit-Goâve was named "Camp Gloria".^[4]

Force composition

• , an amphibious assault ship^[1]
  • Castilla's complement:
    • 4 helicopters
    • Fast boats
  • Transported on Castilla:
    • Field hospital
    • 423 ground troops
      • Engineering unit^[1]
        • Bulldozers^[1]
      • Logistics unit^[1]
        • 2 water purification units^[1]
    • 50 medical officers
      • 28 doctors and nurses
    • 23 Guardia Civil^[1]
• 37 members of the Unidad Militar de Emergencias

Mission timeline

On 17 January 2010, the Unidad de Emergencias Militares (UME) arrived to help. It was the first deployment of the UME outside of Spanish territory.^[5]

On 19 January 2010, it was announced that Castilla would transport a field hospital, 50 medical officers, 450 troops.^[6] Also on board are three helicopters,^[7] and several fast boats.^[8]

On 21 January 2010, the mission for the 37 members of the Unidad de Emergencias Militares (UME) ended.^[9]

Castilla left Rota (Cadiz) on 22 January 2010, carrying 23 members of the Guardia Civil, 423 troops, and 4 helicopters, headed for Petit-Goâve, Haiti.^{[1] [10]}

On 29 January 2010, the first six troopers of the expanded mission arrived in Port-au-Prince.^[11]

On 1 February 2010, Castilla arrives at San Juan in Puerto Rico to pick up additional supplies.^[12]

On 4 February 2010, Castilla arrives at Petit-Goâve.^[13] 350 people were treated, and 2 surgeries performed at the onboard sickbay.^[14]

As of 5 February 2010, landing craft from the ship have started disgorging equipment. Spanish military sappers have started to clear the road to Port-au-Prince, which had been covered by landslides.^[15]

Castilla is expected to remain on-station at Petit-Goâve for three months.^[16]

As of 7 February 2010, the Spanish medical team has been using the hospital in Petit-Goâve, Notre Dame de Petit-Goâve.^[17]

On 9 February 2010, 10 kilolitres of water were distributed. The water purification plants have been producing 12 kL of water per day.^[18]

As of 11 February 2010, 155 patients have been treated, 144 tonnes of aid have been delivered.^[19]

As of 15 March 2010, the Spanish frigate Álvaro de Bazán, delivered supplies and fresh personnel.^[20]

Notes and References

1. El Pais, "Tes Zarpa el buque 'Castilla' con ayuda", Elsa Cabria, 23 January 2010 (accessed 11 February 2010)
2. Barcelona Reporter, "Spain’s Defence Minister, Carme Chacon, said she is “proud” of Spanish society for their generosit", 16 February 2010 (accessed 16 February 2010)
3. Nam News Network, "Spanish Defence Minister to Visit Haiti", Prensa Latina, 23 March 2010 (accessed 27 March 2010)
4. ABC.es, "Infantería de Marina en «la gloria»", Jueves, 25 March 2010 (accessed 27 March 2010)
5. La Gaceta, "El despliegue español de ayuda en Haití cuesta 18,8 millones", 10 February 2010 (accessed 11 February 2010)
6. Monsters and Critics, "Spain to send warship to Haiti (2nd Roundup)", Deutsche Press-Agentur, 19 January 2010 (accessed 7 February 2010)
7. Mer et Marine, "L'Espagne dépêche le TCD Castilla à Port-au-Prince", 20 January 2010 (accessed 7 February 2010)
8. Le Figaro, "Haïti: l'Espagne envoie 450 militaires", AFP, 19 January 2010 (accessed 7 February 2010)
9. Libertad Digital, "La ayuda española a Haití tiene un coste de 18,8 millones de euros", EFE, 10 February 2010 (accessed 11 February 2010)
10. Ouest France, "Le navire-hopital espagnol devrait arriver à Petit-Goave début février", 27 January 2010 (accessed 7 February 2010)
11. Ideal, "Llegan los primeros soldados de operación Hispaniola para ayudar a población", EFE, 30 January 2010 (accessed 10 February 2010)
12. Agencia EFE, "El buque "Castilla" hace escala en Puerto Rico camino de Haití", 2 February 2010 (accessed 7 February 2010)
13. Latin American Herald Tribune, "Spanish Aid Ship Reaches Haiti", EFE, 4 February 2010 (accessed 7 February 2010)
14. El Mundo, "El despliegue español en Haití cuesta 18,8 millones de euros", Europa Press, 10 February 2010 (accessed 11 February 2010)
15. Latin American Herald Tribune, "Spanish Military on the Ground in Haiti", Jose Luis Paniagua, 5 February 2010 (accessed 7 February 2010)
16. AOL news, "Rural Haitians Say Aid Is Still Lacking", Meredith Mandell, 8 February 2010 (accessed 9 February 2010)
17. "La operación "Hispaniola", totalmente operativa en Haití", Gema Nieves, 8 February 2010 (accessed 11 February 2010)
18. Europa Press, "La agrupación española distribuye 10.000 litros de agua potable en Petit Goave", 10 February 2010 (accessed 11 February 2010)
19. Atenea, "Las FAS comienzan a aliviar el dolor haitiano", Gema Nieves, 12 February 2010 (accessed 18 February 2010)
20. Xornal Galicia, "El Castilla recibe la visita de la fragata Álvaro de Bazán frente a las costas de Haití ", XG, 16 March 2010 (accessed 19 March 2010)