TOPICS OF INTEREST

Humanitarian Assistance Programs (HAP)
FY-98 through FY-04 Projects

PURPOSE

The Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP), coordinated by U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), allocates funds on an annual basis to support Latin-American countries with assistance to prepare to respond to natural disasters and to respond to disasters that have taken place. Projects encompass improving of infrastructure for disaster response agencies, training disaster response teams, conducting disaster preparedness assessments, developing disaster response plans, pre-positioning of disaster relief supplies, the refurbishment of medical facilities, construction of schools, digging wells, improving sanitary facilities, and training personnel in disaster relief planning.

Another program, the Humanitarian Civil Action (HCA), provides construction and repair of sanitary and public facilities. The HCA also includes Medical Readiness Training Exercises (MEDRETEs) which provide medical, dental and veterinary assistance to the areas in most need. The U.S. has organized MEDRETEs in Ecuador since 1996. In 2002, eight MEDRETEs were accomplished throughout eight provinces of Ecuador, providing care to nearly 99,200 patients. Since January 2003, the U.S. has sponsored MEDRETEs in Cuenca, Jaramijo, Ibarra, Isla Isabella and Isla Santa Cruz in the Galapagos providing care for nearly 37,582 patients. In 2004 Ecuador will receive eight MEDRETEs. USSOUTHCOM organizes about 30 such projects each year in Central and South America, and the Caribbean. These exercises serve as training opportunity for military personnel and provide urgently needed medical services to local families. These MEDRETEs offer basic family medical services, which include dental and optometry exams, pediatric and gynecological care.

COLLABORATION:

In Ecuador, the HAP program is coordinated and implemented with the support and guidance of the National Civil Defense. The U.S. Military Group (MILGP) meets monthly with representatives from EC National Civil Defense, EC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EC Ministry of Public Health, the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), Ecuadorian Red Cross, and the US Agency of International Development (USAID). USSOUTHCOM has the best HAP program in the region contributing 25 projects and 75 activities in 1999, 38 projects and 150 activities in 2000 and 79 projects and 350 activities in 2001.

In 2000, two projects, totaling $750K, addressed assistance for disaster relief and medical supplies for the Ecuadorian Red Cross and supplied heavy equipment for the city of Manta, including vehicles dump trucks, water trucks, bull dozers, fumigation trucks, and 2 ½-ton trucks.

In 2001, five projects totaling $280K addressed assistance for repair of water supply systems in Tungurahua and Chimborazo, disaster preparedness assessment at a national level, disaster preparedness training supporting the EC National Civil Defense, EC Red Cross, EC Firefighter capability, and emergency volunteer forces, and medical supplies and equipment for EC Red Cross.

In 2002, five projects totaling $287K provided assistance for disaster preparedness assessment for EC National Civil Defense agencies in the coastal provinces, provision of medical supplies for the EC National Civil Defense, disaster preparedness assessment and risk analysis of the EC coastal region, disaster preparedness assessment of the oil spill at Galapagos Islands, and repair of water supply systems in Tungurahua and Chimborazo.

In 2003, seven projects totaling $939K were funded. Disaster relief and medical supplies were provided to Ecuador to assist victims of the Reventador eruption. Water system repair continued in the provinces of Tungurahua and Chimborazo. Yet to be started are the development of standard operating procedures (SOP) for national emergency coordination center, development of standard operating procedures for transportation and logistics procedures, emergency operations center (EOC) training, support for the Ecuador Minister of Health disaster response office, and supply of heavy equipment to Manta communities.

In 2004 six projects totaling 519K have been planned. These include: Development of a standard operating procedure for local level EOCs , development of standard operating procedures for search and rescue, assessment of infrastructure mitigation/vulnerability reduction, provision of post-disaster stress management training, supply of bio-medical maintenance equipment and technical training, and implementation of the initial phase for water system repair affected by the eruption of the volcano El Reventador.

With 55 active volcanoes and vulnerability to El Nino, disaster preparedness and response is critical for Ecuador. U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) has provided invaluable assistance in the past and, if requested by the Ecuadorean government, will do so in the future.

SHIP VISITS:

United States Naval vessels participate in from 8 to 10 community relation projects annually in the city of Manta. Each project has participation from of 25 to 35 naval volunteers who repair local schools, paint facilities, make roof repairs, and construct new classrooms. The projects have contributed a total of $500 to $600 U.S. dollars per school. Some schools that have benefited from these volunteer services include: Jacobo Vera Velasquez, Jose Abad Saltos, Jorge Washington, Armada de los Estados Unidos, and 4 de Noviembre.