The Department of Defense, has joined forces with Medical Assistance Programs
(MAP) International to transport more than 60,000 pounds of medical supplies
and pharmaceuticals to help the people of two African nations. The supplies,
valued at more than $646,000, are destined to be airlifted by September 25,
1995.
The cargo will be transported from the MAP International warehouse in
Brunswick, Ga., to Charleston AFB, S.C. for shipment. Two thirds of the
supplies will go do health care facilities in the Bandundu region of Zaire with
the remainder going to the Central Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea.
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.
