The Department of Defense, working in concert with Pedals for Progress, has
approved the movement of more than 20 tons of bicycles and bicycle parts from
warehouses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to help the people of Mozambique.
All supplies are destined for surface shipment within the next 90 days.
Half the shipment will come from Raritan, N.J., with the balance from York, Pa.
All items are destined for the town of Maputo for distribution by the
Mozambican National Association for Rural Women Development.
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.
