U.S. military Task Force to support flood victims in Ethiopia CJTF-HOA Public Affairs
August 18, 2006
No. 26/06
CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti – A convoy of American Naval Engineers (also known as “Seabees”) traveled from Camp Lemonier, Djibouti to Dire Dawa, Ethiopia today to provide humanitarian relief assistance to the population affected by the recent flooding that has killed hundreds and left thousands without homes.
Responding to an appeal from the Ethiopian government and the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Addis Ababa to work with the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and nongovernmental organizations to provide emergency assistance in the flood-devastated region, the U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion-5, from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) mobilized a team of 35 service members. This team is bringing with them 52 tents which will be erected to accommodate some of the estimated 6,000 people who lost their homes and who are now being housed in local schools in the area. The Seabees will also construct sanitation facilities. The value of this assistance is approximately 900,000 U.S. dollars.
Officials have said that the priorities for relief assistance at this time are shelter and sanitation. However, CJTF-HOA is poised to provide additional relief assistance at the request of the Ethiopian government. Civil Affairs medical teams are coordinating with local authorities and NGOs in the area to determine what medical assistance may be needed.
CONTACT: Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa Public Affairs,
(253) 358-997, cjtfhoapao@hoa.centcom.mil.
Visit CJTF-HOA online at http://www.hoa.centcom.mil/www.hoa.centcom.m
 
