From Nov. 26 - Dec. 3, U.S. military forces supported disaster relief efforts in Costa Rica and Panama after heavy rains, floods and landslides ravaged many communities.U.S. troops and helicopters from Joint Task Force-Bravo deployed to both Central American countries and worked with local officials to airlift 314,000 pounds of relief supplies and evacuate 17 people in need of medical attention.
PHOTOS
CUSAPIN, PANAMA — Community members here unload food from a Joint Task Force-Bravo HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter Nov. 29. The helicopter transported 2,000 pounds of food and water to the village in the region of Bocas del Toro, which was affected by recent flooding.
“We’re committed to assisting our friends and neighbors affected by the flooding.Joint Task Force-Bravo will actively support the Panamanian and Costa Rican government to help save lives. JTF-Bravo is well equipped and trained for these types of emergencies, and consequently when called upon, we have the capability to deliver assistance quickly.”
About 70 U.S. military personnel and eight helicopters from Joint Task Force-Bravo began deploying from nearby Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras Nov. 25.
Two teams comprised of aviation and medical personnel worked in coordination with national disaster response organizations from each country.
During the operation, eight helicopters from the task force evacuated 17 flood victims in need of medical attention and delivered more than 314,000 pounds of relief supplies (food, water, personal hygiene packages, blankets and medicine).
Also, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet diverted USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) from its counter-illicit trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific to Panama to conduct storm damage assessments on Nov. 26 and 27.
Background:
In mid-November 2008, heavy rains battered areas of Central America, leading to flooding and landslides that resulted in several deaths and endangered thousands of residents near Limon, Costa Rica, in western Panama, and other areas along the Caribbean coast.
Authorities in both countries declared a state of emergency and submitted requests for assistance through their respective U.S. embassies, clearing the way for U.S. military support.U.S. Southern Command directed the military forces to respond, which are in support of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, the lead federal agency for U.S. foreign assistance.
In November 2006, a disaster task force from JTF-Bravo provided humanitarian assistance after severe flooding near the city of Colon and in parts of northern Panama. During the four-day relief mission, the task force evacuated four people and airlifted more than 130,000 pounds of food, water, mattresses and hygiene supplies.
Key points:
U.S. military assistance must be formally requested by the host nation through the U.S. ambassador.Then, the lead federal agent, USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, transmits requirements through the Department of State, who sends an Executive Secretariat Memorandum to the Department of Defense requesting military assistance.
Since 2005, SOUTHCOM has sent forces to assist 11 major multinational disaster relief missions in the region (SEE TABLE BELOW)
SOUTHCOM has a team that focuses year-round on working with regional governments to improve disaster responses.The Humanitarian Assistance of Disaster Preparedness Program (HAP), in concert with other U.S. agencies, works with nations in the region to improve disaster response capabilities and build all-important relationships with local officials.
Recent disaster relief in the region:
2008
Haiti Storm Relief, September: Helicopters from USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) deliver 3.3 million pounds of food, water and other aid to communities devastated by a succession of storms (Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike).Medical teams from the ship also provided limited health care and assessments to affected communities. (see more)
2007
Tropical Storm Noel, November:Forces from the Puerto Rico National Guard, U.S. Army South and JTF-Bravo along with the U.S. Coast Guard supported search and rescue support, assisted in damage assessments, and the delivery of relief commodities.SOUTHCOM also provided $250,000 in emergency relief commodities. (see more)
Hurricane Felix, September:Helicopters from USS Wasp, USS Samuel B. Roberts and JTF-Bravo airlift 490,000 pounds of aid to Felix victims.Also, provided a forward area refueling capability that allowed the Nicaraguans to reach communities that were cut-off. (see more)
Peru earthquake, August: A Texas-based medical team of 14 Airmen and a 30-person mobile surgical team from JTF-Bravo provided medical care to Peruvians affected by the disaster. (see more)
Bolivia floods, February: C-130 airlifts planeload of USAID relief supplies to help relief efforts. (see more)
2006
Panama floods, November: JTF-Bravo troops and helicopters evacuate four people and airlift 130,000 pounds of relief supplies. (see more)
Nicaragua alcohol poisoning epidemic, September: JTF-Bravo troops provide three-man medical team and donate $185,000 of medical supplies. (see more)
Ecuador, volcano eruption, July:Supports disaster relief operations and provides $140,000 of medical supplies and equipment.
2005
Honduras, Tropical Storm Gamma, November:Nine JTF-Bravo helicopters and 40 troops airlift 110,000 pounds of emergency supplies to affected region.
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