The Department of Defense has joined forces with several private relief
organizations to move more than 133 tons of food, clothing, medicines and
hygiene products to help the people of Croatia. The items will be airlifted
from Air Force bases in Charleston, S.C., and Dover, Del. to the Split, Croatia
by September 15, 1995.
About 121,000 pounds of the supplies will be provided by the World Vision and
Christ for Humanity organizations to Charleston AFB, S.C. The remaining
145,000 pounds of cargo will be delivered from Direct Relief International and
the United Methodist Committee on Relief to Dover AFB, Del. The supplies
will be received and distributed in Split by organization workers there or
members of the International Rescue Committee.
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. Over the past two years, 370 transportation
missions have been accomplished to more than 50 countries.
