Air Force delivers 400,000 short tons of relief to Burma

  • Published
  • By Capt. Genieve David
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii--A total of four Air Force C-130 Hercules have delivered almost 400,000 short tons of relief supplies to Burma as part of the ongoing U.S. relief efforts following Cyclone Nargis which devastated the coast of the Irrawaddy Divison, Burma, May 2. 

To date, the Air Force is responsible for delivering 391.54 short tons of USAID relief supplies, to include water, plastic sheeting, hygiene kits, water jugs, mosquito netting, and food in support of Operation Caring Response. 

"The Air Force is proud to be participating in this humanitarian effort," Lt. Col. John Graham, Air Force liaison officer for Joint Task Force Caring Response, said. "The Air Force trains daily to rapidly respond to crises throughout the world. We feel it is important to use this capability to aid other countries in times of emergency and help mitigate suffering and save lives."

As of May 14, Operation Caring Response has totaled 21 pallets of water, 8 pallets of plastic sheeting, 5 pallets of hygiene kits, 4 pallets of blankets, 3 pallets of mosquito netting, 2 pallets of water jugs and one pallet of food bringing a combined total weight of 200,960 lbs.

According to USAID officials, heavy rainfall continues to affect southern Burma, particularly the Rangoon and Irrawaddy Divisions. Continued rains in the affected area and upstream river systems are likely to lead to prolonged flooding in the region. 

Four additional missions have been scheduled to drop off supplies to Burma for May 17, but traditionally have required daily Burmese permissions to deliver and enter the country. Deliveries have been limited to the Rangoon International Airport. 

More than 45 members of the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam remain prepared to open or operate airfields to facilitate relief operations outside of Utapao, Thailand if necessary.

Public donation information:
www.usaid.gov Keyword: Cyclone Nargis or calling The Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) at 703-276-1914