Gov. Patrick to deploy National Guard unit to Haiti: The governor, left, made the announcement at a Jan. 30 ceremony. Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry is shown at right. Photo courtesy Governor's Office.

(Update 6:20 p.m.) — Governor Deval Patrick has ordered elements of the Massachusetts National Guard to prepare for an April deployment to Haiti. The 125th Quartermaster battalion out of Worcester, along with the 220th Quartermaster detachment from Bridgewater, will assist in humanitarian efforts, mainly water filtration. More than 100 service people from the Massachusetts National Guard will take part in the deployment. More details on the deployment are expected soon.

Patrick's surprise announcement came during a noontime event in the State House, where he issued a proclamation to establish a statewide Haiti remembrance month to commemorate the one year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti. The governor was joined by State Representative Linda Dorcena Forry and other leaders from the Haitian community.

Patrick thanked Massachusetts residents for offering their support to Haitians after the earthquake, noting specifically the efforts of hospitals to treat injured Haitian children and school children who raised money on their own to support victims.

“It was an incredible tapestry of support and it gave me great comfort to know there was a network of support for those who needed it,” Patrick said. The state also provided aid and resources to members of the community whose families were impacted by the earthquake.

Earlier this month, Cambridge and Boston issued their own, led by calls from the Haiti Interfaith Action Network and elected officials like Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley. The full month of remembrance is from January 12 through February 12.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct names of the National Guard units that will be deployed. The State House News Service contributed to this report.