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STUTTGART, GERMANY, Sept. 8, 2004 – A U.S. Air Force C-130 loaded with more than 10 tons of medical supplies arrived in Vladikavkaz, Russia, today as part of the humanitarian response to the recent terrorist acts at a school in Beslan.
The delivery of surgical supplies and burn-dressing kits, designed to support 500 trauma cases, were released to Russian Ministry of Health officials from United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot stocks in Brindisi, Italy. The drugs and equipment delivered today, valued at more than $74,000, follow more than $590,000 of medical equipment sent by the Defense Department in coordination with other government agencies to support Russia's efforts to deal with the aftermath of the tragic hostage-taking incident that claimed more than 300 lives. Many of the victims were children. On Sept. 6, two other C-130s from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, delivered more than more than 34,000 pounds of medical equipment and supplies to Valdikavkaz. That shipment, which clinical chemistry analyzers, an electrocardiogram unit, blood-gas analyzers, portable X-ray systems, as well as burn dressings, antibiotics and other medical supplies, came from U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center Europe stocks in Pirmasens, Germany. The humanitarian effort, coordinated by the U.S. European Command here, was in response to requests by the Russian government after the United States offered humanitarian assistance, said Col. (Dr.) Edward Huycke, EUCOM's command surgeon. "The Russian government made very specific requests through the U.S. State Department, so we were able to quickly respond by providing medicines, equipment and supplies that would have the greatest impact in relieving suffering," said Huycke. (From a U.S. European Command news release.)
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