The Dominican Republic says it helped ship about 525 tonnes of military equipment and supplies for the Gang Suppression Force to Haiti from the port of Haina, including weapons, specialized vehicles and support equipment, Le Quotidien 509 reported on November 1.

According to the Dominican foreign ministry, the cargo came from Bangladesh. Germany helped pay for its transport to the Dominican Republic, and Dominican authorities and the United Nations coordinated the shipment to Haiti.

Daniela Kroslak, UN assistant secretary-general and head of the UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH), called the Dominican logistical help “essential.” Vice-ministers Rubén Silié and Ramón Pérez Fermín represented the Dominican government, alongside UNSOH operations chief Dushyant Joshi and Germany's ambassador in Santo Domingo, Maike Friedrichsen.

The ministry said the deployment is continuing but that several points remain to be settled, including the force's command structure, the coordination of operations and its support systems. Kroslak also pointed to needs for housing, food and medical care for the personnel.