Honduran military, U.S. Army Civil Affairs Soldiers spread goodwill during humanitarian mission

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Alejandro Licea | (Left) Honduran Col. Wilfredo Efruhin Oliva, the director of plans and civil affairs for the Estado Mayor Conjunto in Tegucigalpa, and the U.S. Civil Affairs team leader assigned to the 95th CA Brigade working under Special Operations Command-South hand out school bags filled with school supplies to children during a recent two-day Medical and Civic Assistance Program or MEDCAP event in the town of Chacalapa, Honduras, located north of Tegucigalpa. Throughout the day, which was held in the elementary schools of each town, citizens were treated to free food, music and activities for the children such as rides on an Army four-wheeler ATV and the chance to take a swing at a colorful pi  

TRUJILLO, HONDURAS

09.29.2010

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Alejandro Licea 

Special Operations Command South

TRUJILLO, Honduras - Despite its scenic views, clear oceans and metropolitan capital, people living in remote areas of Honduras lack many basic services.

For the remote towns of Chacalapa and Guadalupe Carney, located on the northern department of Colon, quality of life is poor due to the lack of medical services, education and other basic needs.
Aware of the growing problems in these areas, Honduran military officials conducted a recent two-day Medical and Civic Assistance Program or MEDCAP mission in Chacalapa and Guadalupe Carney while working with a group of U.S. Army Civil Affairs Soldiers in order to improve the quality of life for these respective citizens.

During the event, dozens of Honduran soldiers, military and civilian medical doctors, with the assistance of U.S. CA Soldiers assigned to Company B, 98th Battalion, 95th CA Brigade (Airborne), currently under the operational control of Special Operations Command-South, provided free medical care to more than 5,000 Honduran citizens during the two-day MEDCAP.

“We are here to provide general medical screenings, orthodontic services, distribute free medicine, and provide other basic needs during this mission,” said Honduran Col. Wilfredo Efruhin Oliva, the director of Plans and Civil Affairs for the Estado Mayor Conjunto in Tegucigalpa. “We are here to bring some solutions to some of the health problems in this community and show the people we care about them.”

SOCSOUTH is responsible for all special operations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. Through the command’s Theater Security Cooperation Program, special operations Soldiers work closely with their partner nation counterparts in order for them to better protect their borders and increase their capacity to conduct civic action programs such as the MEDCAPs conducted in the Department of Colon. SOCSOUTH is the special operation component of U.S. Southern Command.

Along with helping the local citizens, the MEDCAP allows the Honduran military to assess the security in the area and research for any suspicious activity. With the location of the towns so remote, the area has been used as a drug trafficking route throughout the region.
“Along with helping the people, we are working to combat narco-trafficking in this area,” said Oliva. “In order for us to do that, we have to gain the trust of the people and talk to them. Today was a good start, and they are grateful but it is not enough.”

For the CA team, based out of Fort Bragg, N.C., working with their Honduran partners was had two tangible benefits. The first was to help plan the event and assist with the purchase of medical supplies to enable the Honduran military to distribute them to the people free of charge. The second was to continue to enhance the capabilities and capacity of the Honduran military.

“We assisted in the planning of this event with Honduran Civil Affairs and municipal government leaders. This civic action project is based on addressing the needs of their most vulnerable populations. We were able to help them with the purchase of medicine and school supplies,” said the CA team leader. “The event helps our partners because it allows them to deliver services and security to the community. This showcases the Honduran military capability, working alongside the municipal government to provide medical and other services to the citizens in the area.”
Throughout the day thousands of people waited outside school classrooms, which were transformed into examination rooms and clinics. The two-day event, which was held in the elementary schools of each town, contained a fun-filled atmosphere with food, music and activities for the children such as rides on an Army four-wheeler ATV and the chance to take a swing at a colorful piñata filled with candy.
For Iris Velasquez and her 3-year-old son Didir waiting in line for the opportunity to see a doctor was something for which she was grateful.
“We are poor people who don’t have much so any help is great,” said Velasquez. “We thank the Honduran military, the U.S. Army and the American people for their help.”
Although American troops will continue to advise and work with their partners, the CA team feels confident in the capabilities of their counterparts.

“They want to do great things to help their people,” said the CA team leader. “They are capable, willing and motivated, and the people have a favorable opinion about them.”
Honduran military leaders credit much of their success to the relationship they have with their American partners and are thankful for the support of the American people.
“We hope our partnership continues because they have helped us so much,” said Oliva. “We appreciate what the United States government, the U.S. Army and the American people have done for us.”
Yet despite the success of the MEDCAP in Chacalapa and Guadalupe Carney, much remains to be done by the Honduran government to extend the provision of services and security to all of their people in Honduras. This is especially true in the more remote areas of the country. However, they plan to continue to help their people to the best of their ability with the tools they have.
“We have a civil affairs plan for the entire country but our challenge today is that we don’t have the resources to help everyone in all places,” said Oliva. “However, we are here to help. This is our country and we want to serve it and our people the best way possible with what we have.”

• Date Taken: 09.29.2010
• Date Posted: 09.29.2010 21:06
• Story ID: 57212
• Location: TRUJILLO, HN