United States Department of Defense

DOD TRANSPORTS HUMANITARIAN AID TO NICARAGUA

The Department of Defense has joined with Matthew 25: Ministries Inc. to move more than 100 tons of school supplies, medical supplies and medical equipment to help the people of the Nicaragua. The items were moved aboard a C-5A assigned to the U.S. Air Force Reserve's 433rd Airlift Wing, Kelly AFB, Texas, to the Nicaraguan capital of Managua.

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.