The Department of Defense has joined forces with World Opportunities
International to move more than 35 tons of medical supplies and equipment,
office supplies, and books to help the people of Poland. The items will be
shipped from their place of storage in Hollywood, Calif., to the Air Force
Reserve's 433rd Airlift Wing, Kelly AFB, Texas, where they will be flown via
C-5A to the city of Czestochowa, Poland.
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.
