United States Department of Defense

DOD TO TRANSPORT HUMANITARIAN AID TO ALBANIA

The Department of Defense and State Department have announced plans to movemore than 15,600 pounds of medical supplies and equipment to help the people ofAlbania. The items will be shipped from a warehouse located in Corpus Christi,Texas to the University Hospital Center in the Albanian city of Tirana withinthe next six weeks.

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

Under the 1986 DOD Authorization Act, HRA is authorized to transport non-lethalexcess property, relief supplies and privately donated cargo to meethumanitarian needs worldwide. Over the past two years, 370 transportationmissions have been accomplished to more than 50 countries.