press release

The US Military Assests add to Hurricane Félix Assistance

September 06, 2007

Managua - In the name of the people and government of United States Government of America, we express our deep condolences to the victims of the hurricane Félix. The US Embassy had given and will continue giving support in order to alleviate the effects of this natural disaster. Yesterday, the chief of the Military Group of the US Embassy and personnel of the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) within USAID responsible for facilitating and coordinating U.S. Government emergency assistance overseas went with President Ortega to Puerto Cabezas in order to quantify the damages. According to the Nicaraguan government request, we are mobilizing the following US militaries resources:

1) Two helicopters CH-47 “Chinook”, one, coming from Soto Cano, Honduras, which arrived yesterday afternoon to Managua Airport. It was refuel and departure to Puerto Cabezas carrying Nicaraguan militaries and policemen personnel that are going to attend the population needs in the areas that were affected by hurricane Félix. A second Chinook will arrive today from Honduras to provide additional transportation assistant.
 
2) Coming from Honduras, the US Government is facilitating one airplane C-12 which is going to create a map today of the disaster zone already identified by the Nicaraguan Army in order to establish with better information the emergency plan. This airplane is carrying four members of the Nicaraguan army and will provide clear images of the disaster zone.

3) The US South Command of the US Military Forces had redirect in the direction of Nicaragua the boat USS Wasp, which was participating in international militaries exercises in Panamá. The USS Wasp had already authorization to enter Nicaraguan waters and will arrive today at noon. The Wasp has six helicopters that will be used to coordinate and synchronize the US military Assistant for the people of Nicaragua.

This military support is accompaniment for the effort of the personnel of the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). The OFDA is preparing to send from its warehouse in Miami humanitarian assistant to Nicaragua. Using a leasing airplane they send to Puerto Cabezas today the first delivery with plastic sheeting, blankets and hygiene kits. Another airplane will arrive tomorrow with additional donations. Additionally, the OFDA had delivered $175,000 USD in assistant, and the Nicaraguan Red Cross is now distributing $45,000 of pre donation support that was already positioned in the Caribbean Coast.

###
Nota: Si desea acceder a más notas de prensa de la Embajada Americana, visite la página web: http://nicaragua.usembassy.gov/