The Department of Defense has announced plans to move more than 75 tons of
excess DOD medical supplies and equipment, furniture, blankets, books and an
ambulance to help the people of Belarus. The supplies will be palletized and
shipped from Ramstein AB, Germany to Minsk, Belarus via C-5A aircraft assigned
to the 433rd Airlift Wing, Kelly AFB, Texas.
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.
