405th AFSBn-Italy supports humanitarian relief efforts to Libya

By Jennifer L. KingMay 24, 2011

USAID relief supplies loaded on C-130
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

LEGHORN ARMY DEPOT, Italy, April 25, 2011 -- The 405th Army Field Support Battalion-Italy prepared a shipment of humanitarian aid supplies in support of a U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance mission to Libya Apr. 18, 2011.

"OFDA (Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance) contacted us over the weekend and requested supplies in support of Libyan people who have been displaced by the recent violence in the country," said Alberto Chidini, the host nation executive adviser and program manager for the USAID mission at the battalion.

The battalion immediately prepared a shipment of 2,000 blankets, 1,056 personal hygiene kits and 2,400 collapsible water containers for shipment to the International Medical Corps at Benghazi, Libya.

"Within 36 hours, we had the entire shipment prepared, packed and loaded onto a commercial truck for shipment," said Lt. Col. Richard Pierce, commander of the 405th AFSBn-Italy. "We are always prepared for immediate response to humanitarian aid missions."

Once customs clearance is received, the battalion will transport the supplies via truck to Vatry Airport in France, where they will be flown to Libya via commercial aircraft.

The 405th AFSBn-Italy is responsible for the storage and maintenance of USAID emergency humanitarian assistance commodities under an interagency agreement between the Army and the U.S. State Department. The battalion has a long working relationship with OFDA, previously having shipped supplies to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the Philippines and Haiti, among others.

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