Defense Logistics Agency Supports Katrina Relief Efforts

Defense Logistics Agency Supports Katrina Relief Efforts

FORT BELVOIR, Va., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Defense Logistics Agency has increased support to provide commodities needed for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. In conjunction with federal agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Defense Department, DLA has augmented efforts to ensure that supplies are available to those in need.

Currently, there have been significant requests for subsistence, medical supplies and fuel to support relief efforts. DLA is committed to providing quality, flexible assistance to relief efforts and is monitoring the situation closely to meet the dynamic needs of the situation.

A DLA working group has been formed to monitor and support current relief efforts. Staff director of the DLA Logistics Operations Center, Col. Eric Smith said today, "DLA is committed to providing the best support possible to front line relief workers and victims of Katrina. We are monitoring the situation and in constant communication with our partners to provide assistance."

DLA is currently collaborating with FEMA to meet an increased need for Meal, Ready-to-Eat. FEMA has requested 752,333 cases of MREs and DLA will work with FEMA to load 22 trucks per day to transport these to the affected areas. As of late Wednesday evening, 55,322 cases of MREs had been ordered and shipped to support troop mobilization for relief efforts.

The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia has received 842 requisitions for pharmaceutical and medical supplies to support the USNS Comfort, a Navy hospital ship. Upon receiving sufficient medical supplies, Comfort will sail to the impacted area to provide treatment and relief to the hurricane victims.

Since Hurricane Katrina, the Defense Energy Supply Center has received seven separate fuel requests from the impacted areas. DESC's Defense Fuel Supply Points in the southeast are all operational, although two facilities sustained some damage. Several quality assurance personnel have been assigned to visit each facility in the impacted region to verify the physical conditions of the facilities. DESC is coordinating the delivery of thousands of gallons of jet, diesel and motor fuels to sustain helicopters, ships, cargo planes and vehicles supporting the relief efforts.

As relief efforts continue, DLA will continue to collaborate with its federal partners to ensure that needed supplies are coordinated for the region. Smith emphasized that "DLA will continue to partner with federal agencies involved in relief efforts to ensure that the victims and relief workers are receiving the supplies they need." He continued, "we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families and will do our best to support those in need."

DLA provides supply support, and technical and logistics services to the military services and to several civilian agencies. Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, the agency is the one source for nearly every consumable item, whether for combat readiness, emergency preparedness or day-to-day operations.

Source: Defense Logistics Agency

CONTACT: Dawn Dearden of Defense Logistics Agency, +1-703-767-6310, or
Dawn.dearden@dla.mil

Web site: http://www.dla.mil/

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