The 57th contingent of the Orion Tactical Air Detachment delivers a charitable donation to Caritas Djibouti

•  This civil-military cooperation activity, in support of the local population, has included toys, baby bottles, pacifiers and clothing

The 57th contingent of the “Orion” Tactical Air Detachment (TAD), part of the EUNAVFOR Atalanta mission, has made a donation of humanitarian aid to Caritas Djibouti. The aim is to meet the basic needs of the civilian population, with special attention to children. Within the framework of civil-military cooperation activities, this support also seeks to alleviate the damage caused by last December's torrential rains to the religious and educational centre.

The donations were made possible thanks to the collaboration and donation of Caritas Castrense through altruistic and personal contributions. This aid includes toys, baby bottles, pacifiers and clothing, among other items. The damage caused by the rains has greatly affected the centre's facilities and resources, hampering its ability to provide assistance to the children and families it normally serves for weeks. Caritas Djibouti has warmly thanked the organisation for its help, while emphasising the importance of this support in enabling it to continue its work in helping the country's most disadvantaged groups.

In addition to delivering this donation, the Spanish airmen also shared moments of joy and games with the children. With this initiative, the Detachment reaffirms its commitment to civil-military cooperation and to the people of Djibouti, thus complementing its operational efforts to contribute to the stability and well-being of the region.

EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta

Operation Atalanta is the result of a series of UN resolutions adopted following the increase in acts of piracy in the Indian Ocean since 2005. With the strong support of Spain, it became the first European Union naval operation to be carried out within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy.

At the end of 2024, the Council of the EU approved the extension of the operation's mandate until 28 February 2027. This is a reflection of the achievements made and the challenges for the future. The area of operations has been expanded in successive mandates and currently covers the Gulf of Aden and neighbouring countries, including the port and city of Muscat (Oman), the Somali Basin, the Red Sea, and the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba.

Spain currently contributes to Operation Atalanta with approximately 350 military personnel and the following resources: the frigate Victoria, which has a helicopter and a special operations team on board; a TAD “Orion” maritime reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft, which is currently remaining in Spain due to the complexity of operating during the monsoon season; as well as four liaison officers located in Mogadishu (Somalia), Manama (Bahrain), Brussels (Belgium) and Port Victoria (Seychelles). It also provides the Operation Headquarters (OHQ), located at the Rota Naval Base.