The Department of Defense has joined forces with the citizens of Tacoma, Wash.,
and Lancaster, S.C., to help the people of Liberia. About 36 tons of privately
donated food, children's clothing, medical supplies, schools supplies, tools,
cooking oil, laundry soap and an incubator are destined for and African
Christian Fellowship (ACF) orphanage and seven schools in Liberia. The
supplies will be shipped to Monrovia, Liberia within the next three weeks.
"For the children of Liberia, staying alive is a daily challenge," said
Jennifer Nyhuis, in charge of overseeing the ACF shipment from Tacoma. "The
supplies we're sending to the African Christian Fellowship are essential
survival items. Since we began taking donations, I've been impressed by the
generosity of those who have supported our project. Churches in Washington,
Oregon and Canada have collected a considerable number of donations. We've
also received important donations from a Canadian hospital and two American
companies."
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 (HAP) is often the
most economical means available to local charitable organizations to transport
donated goods to foreign countries for humanitarian purposes.
Under the 1986 DOD Authorization Act, HRA is authorized to transport non-lethal
excess property, relief supplies and privately donated cargo to meet
humanitarian needs worldwide. Over the past two years, 370 transportation
missions have been accomplished to more than 50 countries.
