For the next month, lunch for Belize Defense Force soldiers will be on the Taiwanese government. That's because today the Taiwanese came through with $12,000 in food for the BDF. But it is not what you might expect. 7NEWS was at Price Barracks for the handing over ceremony.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This morning BDF's Commander Brigadier General Lloyd Gillett and Taiwanese Ambassador Charles Tsai took the first bite of biscuits from a Taiwan Army ration pack. A thumbs up from the General because for the next month that's what his soldiers out in the field will be eating. Inside these boxes are packs upon packs of the jungle rations, 2,500 in total. That's a lot of food and the general says the donation is quite literally ready to be eaten.
Brig. Gen. Lloyd Gillett,
"These rations will be used by the patrols that are currently deployed along the border in our protected areas and to those assisting in other operations around the country. These represents about a month's supply of ration for the BDF. It's very important when we are in the jungle to have a balanced diet and also to have enough energy for the patrols. Normally we patrol for about 6 to 7 days and we have to carry that ration for seven days in our packs and so these rations are quite lightweight and I think it will assist the soldiers greatly in carrying out their tasks."
The donation valued at $12,000 came from the Taiwanese government. Ambassador Charles Tsai says these rations which include biscuits and beef jerky are nutritionally ideal for soldiers on the move.
Charles Tsai, Taiwanese Ambassador
"The BDF soldiers patrol in the jungle and they need some ration pack for their purpose so I'm very happy that I was able to get the support from my government to donate to the BDF these ration packs."
And if you are wondering about the taste, well we couldn't tell from the faces this morning and Ambassador Tsai says it might take some getting used to.
Charles Tsai,
"I want to see if the BDF soldiers like it or not. These ration packs last about a year so that is while I just donated 2,500 for the first try to see if the BDF soldiers like it or not."
Brig. Gen. Lloyd Gillett
"I haven't really tasted it as yet but I think throughout the world we require the basic: protein, carbohydrates, sugar, and I think we have all of that in the ration and so it shouldn't be a huge difference in taste."
And taste difference aside - these 2,500 rations spell food for our men and women in green.
Ambassador Tsai says that if the rations suit the soldiers' taste buds they can arrange further donations.
