Following the request of the United Nations to reinforce the capabilities of UNIFIL, resulting from Security Council Resolution No. 1701, Portugal decided to participate, through the employment of a military engineering unit, which merited the approval of the Supreme Council of National Defence on August 30, 2006.

In November 2006, the Portuguese Army initiated its contribution to UNIFIL’s mission, in Lebanon, with an Engineering unit located near the Shama region, in the South of the country, with a complement of 141 military personnel and 5 officers in the UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura.

Three units of this type have been detached until now, each with a six month stay (UnEng1 from the Mechanized Brigade, between November 2006 and May 2007; UnEng2 from Regiment of Engineers No. 1, between May and November 2007; UnEng3 from Regiment of Engineers No. 3, since November 2007). 

The National Detached Force (FND) in UNIFIL carries out general engineering support work, survival support and mobility support, in its area of responsibility, thus contributing for the rehabilitation and development of the infrastructures of the Lebanon Theatre of Operations, in support of UNIFIL.

The national unit is able to provide the following capabilities:

• Guarantee UNIFIL Command as to Mobility, Protection and General Engineering Support;
• Carry out horizontal and vertical construction work;
• Guarantee independent operations in two different areas in addition to its location;
• Water replenishment and purifying;
• EOD (Deactivation of Explosive Devices), limited to the protection of the force;
• Support of International Organizations (IO) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), within its means and capabilities.

Deriving from the above referred capabilities, the following main tasks may be listed:

• Removal of obstacles;
• Building of collective shelters for people protection;
• Construction of fortified buildings;
• Repair and maintenance of itineraries;
• Construction and maintenance of airfields and heliports;
• Deforestation, excavation, landfill, levelling and compacting work;
• Drainage work;
• Collaborate in the building of barracks, UNO facilities and logistics bases;
• Refurbishment of existing buildings and other structures;
• Assistance in the refurbishment of public buildings;
• Fitting of prefabricated structures;
• Supply and distribution of electric power.