United States Department of Defense

DOD TO TRANSPORT HUMANITARIAN AID TO SAKHALIN ISLAND

The Department of Defense has received approval through the Russian Embassy to ship excess medicines and medical supplies to the Northern Pacific island of Sakhalin as part of ongoing earthquake relief efforts.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Humanitarian and Refugee Affairs (HRA) Patricia L. Irvin said the Department, in cooperation with other government agencies and within the limits of its resources, understands and strives to fulfill its responsibility to help alleviate suffering throughout the world. She said the Humanitarian Assistance Program is often the most economical means available to local charitable organizations to transport donated goods to foreign countries for humanitarian purposes.

The 1986 DOD Authorization Act authorizes HRA to transport non-lethal excess property, relief supplies, and privately donated cargo to meet humanitarian needs worldwide. Over the past two years, more than 370 transportation missions have been accomplished to more than 50 countries.