With the Atlantic hurricane season underway, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is prepared to respond to storms in countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. USAID will hold a press event at its warehouse in Miami on June 19, 2008 concerning hurricane preparations for this year's Atlantic hurricane season. Ky Luu and Tim Callaghan, senior officials from USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), will be on hand to provide an update on USAID's ongoing preparations and disaster response capacities.
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USAID has relief commodities stockpiled at its Miami warehouse and is prepared to provide international assistance as necessary. In addition, a team of USAID disaster response experts based in San Jose, Costa Rica stand available for immediate deployment throughout the region should a severe storm hit.
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In 2007, USAID responded to the effects of two major hurricanes and one tropical storm in eight Latin American and Caribbean countries and provided life-saving humanitarian relief to disaster affected communities. For major disasters, a USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) may be deployed to provide emergency humanitarian assistance, including disaster relief items and support for humanitarian coordination. Relief commodities including medical supplies, hygiene kits, plastic sheeting, water containers, blankets, and water treatment supplies are stockpiled in Miami for quick disbursement to countries that request disaster assistance from the U.S. Government.
WHO:
Ky Luu, OFDA Director
Tim Callaghan, OFDA Senior Regional Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean
WHAT:
Opportunity to tour and film the commodities in our Miami warehouse
Interview opportunities with OFDA Director and Senior Regional Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean
WHERE:
USAID Warehouse
9950 N.W. 17th Street
Miami, Florida 33172
WHEN:
11:00 am, Thursday, June 19, 2008
If you plan to attend the event, please contact the USAID Press Office at 202-712-4320 for further details. For more information on USAID's disaster assistance programs, please visit: www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/.
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.
CONTACT: USAID Press Office, +1-202-712-4320
/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- June 12/
SOURCE U.S. Agency for International Development
