The United States Government (USG), through the United States Embassy, Port of Spain and the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) donated 8,640 “meals ready-to-eat” (MREs) to the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF).
The donation of 15 pallets of MREs totaling 8,640 individual meals is valued at US$130,000. Each MRE is a complete meal, including protein, carbohydrates, a snack, coffee, tea, and a sweet. The rations virtually do not expire, making them especially useful to support troops on deployment, or to provide to first responders responding to a natural disaster. Each MRE provides approximately 1,250 calories.
The donation builds on the longstanding bilateral relationship between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz said, “This donation was the result of the close working relationship between the U.S. Embassy, SOUTHCOM, and the TTDF that supports operational readiness in the region. The MREs will allow TTDF to operate in the field for extended periods and more effectively counter threats by cartels and foreign terrorist organizations, thereby making the citizens of the United States of America and Trinidad and Tobago safer.”
Chief of Defense Staff Commodore Don Polo said, “The TTDF and the U.S. Embassy’s Military Group continue to partner to improve operational capabilities of the defense force. The latest manifestation of this saw the U.S. Military Group donating a quantity of MREs. These are field rations that can be utilized by Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force personnel when they are on extended operations away from their camps and bases. This facility ensures that members of the TTDF are catered for in terms of quality nourishment and will contribute to overall operational success.”