The command constantly manages a series of humanitarian assistance, disaster preparedness, and disaster response programs -- from the construction of disaster relief warehouses, emergency operation centers, shelters, wells, and schools to the provision of medical, surgical, dental, and veterinary services. These projects support the development of the civilian infrastructure necessary for economic and social reforms and improve the living conditions of impoverished regions. They improve the ability of partner nations to withstand and recover from man-made and natural disasters and they contribute to the sustainment of regional partnerships.  In Fiscal Year 2009, SOUTHCOM carried out 240 projects in 26 countries with a budget of $16.6 million

The command also conducts humanitarian assistance exercises to train U.S. forces and provide tangible benefits to host nations in the form of medical clinics, schools, well drilling, and construction of rudimentary roads.

One such exercise program is the Medical Readiness Training Exercises (MEDRETEs).  In a MEDRETE, a small team of military medical professionals deploy for two weeks to underdeveloped areas to get valuable real-world training while also providing medical and veterinary services to citizens in need of treatment. U.S. medical personnel benefit by providing medical care in a challenging and often unique environment; local medical professionals develop closer relationships with U.S. medical personnel; and the local population receives quality medical care. In Fiscal Year 2009 troops conducted 89 MEDRETEs in 18 countries, treating about 235,000 people.

Humanitarian assistance exercises such as the annual Beyond the Horizon (BTH) exercises are a major component of the command’s regional engagement efforts and afford the opportunity to train service members while providing needed services to communities throughout the region.  The BTH exercise series was launched in 2008

BTH exercises provide persistent U.S. regional support through assessment, construction, and sustainment activities over a three-year period.  Construction projects normally include schools, clinics, community centers, water wells, and other quality of life enhancement facilities for the host nation. Each BTH exercise lasts several months.  In addition to BTH exercises, SOUTHCOM executes New Horizons (NH) exercises each year.  These exercises mirror the BTH exercise series, but are one-year/single-phase engagements.  Both BTH and NH also include embedded MEDRETEs.  The exercises generally take place in rural, underprivileged areas. SOUTHCOM attempts to combine these efforts with those of host-nation doctors, either military or civilian, to make it even more beneficial.

DISASTER RELIEF

Helping partners in the region prepare for, and respond to, natural and man-made disasters is a key part of SOUTHCOM’s humanitarian assistance efforts. The command works year-round on projects that enhance the capacity of host nations to respond and recover when disasters strike.

SOUTHCOM sponsors disaster preparedness exercises, seminars, and conferences to improve the collective ability of the U.S. and its partner nations to respond effectively and expeditiously to disasters. SOUTHCOM has also supported the construction or improvement of Emergency Operations Centers and Disaster Relief Warehouses and SOUTHCOM has provided pre-positioned relief supplies across the region. Construction and refurbishment of additional Emergency Operation Centers and warehouses is ongoing. This type of multinational disaster preparedness has also proven to increase the ability of SOUTHCOM to work with our partner nations. Finally, these exercises also provide valuable training to U.S. military units in responding effectively to assist the victims of storms, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.

The command remains poised to direct U.S. military forces to help a nation in the aftermath of a disaster if that nation requests help through the U.S. government. Any such missions are in support of USAID´s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, which serves as the lead U.S. federal agency for foreign disaster relief efforts.

In the past few years, SOUTHCOM has been called into action numerous times to help partner nations in need (see table below).

Recent disaster relief in the region:   2009 Flood relief, El Salvador (November): About 40 troops and four helicopters from JTF-Bravo help airlift 373,000 lbs of aid to isolated communities and provide limited medical care to victims (see more)   Earthquake relief, Costa Rica (January): A team of 34 U.S. troops and four helicopters from JTF-Bravo work with Costa Rican emergency crews to provide airlift support during search & rescue operations in isolated and devastated areas.  (see more)   2008 Flood relief, Costa Rica & Panama, November/December: A team of U.S. troops and helicopters from Joint Task Force-Bravo work with local officials to deliver 314,000 pounds of relief supplies and evacuate 17 medical patients. (see more)   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 support search and rescue support, assist in damage assessments, and deliver relief commodities.  SOUTHCOM also provides $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 provide 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.   Honduras, Hurricane Beta, November:  Ten JTF-Bravo helicopters airlift 140,000 pounds of relief supplies.   Guatemala & Nicaragua, Hurricane Stan, October: Twelve aircraft and 125 personnel evacuate/transport 300 victims and deliver nearly 300 tons of aid.