United States Department of Defense

DOD TO TRANSPORT HUMANITARIAN AID TO JAMAICA

The Department of Defense has announced plans to move more than 80 tons of excess DOD medical supplies and equipment to help the people of the Jamaica. The items will be airlifted from the Defense Logistics Agency Depot in Mechanicsburg, Pa. to the Jamaican capital of Kingston by the end of this month, where they will be used to support the National Youth Services and Special Training and Empowerment Programs.

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. In fiscal year 1994, HAP completed 72 humanitarian shipments to more than 39 countries with an estimated acquisition value of $66.5 million.