The Department of Defense has joined forces with the Counterpart Foundation to
move more than 75 tons of blankets, medical supplies, and equipment to help the
people of the Ukraine. Within the next 30 days, the items will be shipped from
their place of storage near Washington, D.C., to Dover Air Force Base, Del.,
where they will be flown via C-5A to the Ukrainian capital of Kyyiv (Kiev).
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 1995, HAP completed 89
humanitarian shipments to more than 47 countries with an estimated acquisition
value of $86 million.
