Ship visit

US Navy Ship Visits the Port of Lomé

A vessel of the US Navy, the HSV-2 Swift, anchored at Lome (PAL) from January 28 to 31, 2008.

Through Projet “Handclasp”, a program that coordinates the transport of donations of medical supplies, toys, food items, and other humanitarian goods from numerous American nonprofit organizations on U.S. Navy ships, the Swift brought to Togo 21 pallets of humanitarian items, including emergency food supplements, medical supplies, as well as toys and sewing machines for local NGOs.  UNICEF and its local partners will distribute the food supplements to those in need, including victims of the flooding in northern Togo.
 
The visit of the Swift marks the first time in 15 years that a U.S. navy ship has visited the port of Lomé.  During the donation ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Togo, David B. Dunn noted that the visit occurred in recognition of the democratic progress here in Togo that began under the Global Political Agreement. He praised the Togolese military for not interfering in the legislative election process.  Recognizing the success of the legislative elections as an important first step in achieving the goals of the Global Political Agreement, Ambassador Dunn encouraged the Government of Togo, opposition parties, and civil society to continue to work towards democratic reforms in the spirit of the agreement.

During their stay in Lomé, the crew of the Swift took part in several community activities including painting several buildings at the Be Hospital and visiting a local orphanage. A Navy band, embarked aboard the Swift, also performed at several schools in Lomé.

The HSV-2 Swift is part of Africa Partnership Station, a new multi-national initiative created by the U.S. Navy in response to requests from African nations for assistance in improving maritime security. Threats such as unlawful fishing, piracy, illegal drug, arms and human trafficking, oil smuggling, environmental destruction, and illegal seaborne immigration jeopardize economic development and long-term stability and create opportunities for organized crime, extremism, and terrorism to flourish.. Africa Partnership Station represents a shared vision for improving maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa.