A group of Japanese Special Defense Force personnel arrive in Port-au-Prince on Sunday. They are visiting to help the clean-up effort, after a devastating earthquake crumbled buildings and killed more than 200,000 people.

This group of 34 personnel is the first to arrive, with reinforcements expected to arrive throughout the week, bringing a total of at least 200 staff.

According to the group, it will concentrate on repairing roads and clearing rubble.

[Masaharo Yamamoto, Colonel]:
“Besides construction concerning the engineers, if there are other needs we will try to help based on the needs.”

Heavy equipment will arrive from Japan later in the week. The machinery will help the clean-up effort.