The Bahamas, April 22, 2025 – The Ministry of National Security of The Bahamas has issued a statement addressing recent social media allegations claiming that Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) officers deployed in Haiti have been abandoned, unpaid, and subjected to unsafe working conditions.
According to the Ministry, in a statement on Tuesday April 22, these allegations are “inaccurate” and misrepresent the realities facing deployed personnel.
Contrary to the claims circulating online, the Ministry emphasized that all officers and marines continue to receive their full salaries and benefits.
At the onset of their deployment, each officer was provided with a six-month hazardous pay supplement at the highest rate, alongside hardship and deployment allowances that surpass the standard rates for deployments elsewhere.
The welfare of the personnel deployed in Haiti has been a priority throughout their mission. Officers have maintained direct communication with the Minister of National Security via scheduled Zoom calls, enabling open dialogue regarding any concerns.
Moreover, Commander Julian Smith, The Bahamas’ Chargé d’Affaires to Haiti, has conducted personal visits to the officers to offer support and evaluate their conditions.
It’s significant to note that the Bahamian officers are not involved in front-line patrols with the Haitian National Police or the Kenyan contingent. Instead, they hold command and support roles within the Logistics Support Area (LSA), as stipulated in their deployment terms.
Addressing claims of overwork, the Ministry confirmed there have been no complaints about workload from the deployed personnel. Discussions with the Kenyan Force Commander reinforce that their work expectations align with standard RBDF norms.
The Ministry, in the media release, urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation and recommends seeking clarification through official channels for any concerns related to the deployment.
The government also said it remains committed to supporting the RBDF personnel’s service levels and professionalism.
