The Department of Defense has joined with the State Department and H. Victory
Limited, a private industry, to move more than 10,000 pounds of medical
supplies and equipment to help the people of Latvia. The items will be shipped
within the next 90 days from their place of storage in Denver, Colo., to
Hospital #7 in Riga, Latvia, for further distribution to other health units in
the surrounding area.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Humanitarian and Refugee Affairs
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.
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. In fiscal year 1994, HAP completed 72
humanitarian shipments to more than 39 countries with an estimated acquisition
value of $66.5 million.
