The Department of Defense has joined forces with Direct Relief International,
Santa Barbara, Calif., and Rotary International, District 5840, San Antonio,
Texas, to move more than 10,900 pounds of medical supplies and equipment and a
Jeep Cherokee to help the people of Guatemala. The supplies are being shipped
to Guatemala City on a space available basis via a U.S. Air Force Reserve C-5A
assigned to the 439th Operational Support Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base,
Mass.
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.
