Márcia Wonghon
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Recife - Yesterday (1), the Military Command of the Northeast dispatched another 280 Army troops to Haiti. Upon their arrival, these troops will form part of the 5th Contingent of the United Nations Stabilization Mission to Haiti (MINUSTAH). The contingent includes 850 members of the Brazilian Navy, Army, and Air Force.

Last week 209 soldiers from various military units in the Northeast left for Haiti. There they joined the initial group of 58 officers who departed on May 19.

In Haiti the troops will provide security to government officials and convoys carrying food and medicine, as well as helping protect the population, since urban violence continues to plague the country. Haiti is experiencing a political crisis that began during the administration of president Jean Bertrand Aristide, who was ousted in 2004 after a popular uprising. The fourth and final group of soldiers assigned to Haiti this year will be embarked on Sunday (4).

Translation: David Silberstein