COMAYAGÜELA – The U.S. government is donating three disaster relief warehouses, an emergency operations center and first responder equipment to Honduras as part of a U.S. military-managed effort to contribute to the region’s disaster relief preparedness.
Ambassador James D. Nealon will officially turn over the facilities and equipment to Comision Permante de Contingencias (COPECO) leaders during a ceremony at COPECO’s headquarters in Comayagüela. “As Hondurans know all too well, this country is vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters – whether it is a hurricane, earthquake, flooding or mudslides. The United States was pleased to partner with Honduras to ensure that these facilities will assist COPECO to deliver critical relief in times of crisis, “said Ambassador Nealon.
The donated warehouses will serve as points of storage and distribution for food and aid supplies for use by relief forces in the event of a disaster. The emergency operations center will facilitate communications and transportation to all affected areas in a timely fashion should disaster strike.
The donated equipment includes transport trucks, firefighting equipment, and portable water pumps.
The donations were coordinated and funded through U.S. Southern Command’s Humanitarian Assistance Program. The program oversees a series of projects aimed at bolstering partner nation capabilities to respond to a natural or man-made disaster. Projects include the construction of disaster relief warehouses, emergency operation centers, shelters, wells, and schools.
COPECO worked closely with SOUTHCOM and U.S. officials to identify needed projects.
To date, more than 100 disaster relief warehouse and emergency operations center projects have been completed or are underway in 25 countries in South America, Central America and the Caribbean. The facilities strengthen and expand the capabilities needed to aid citizens in times of disaster, while reducing the need for foreign assistance from countries like the United States.
