DLA continues support to anti-Ebola effort in West Africa

Courtesy Photo | Service members and civilians deployed to Liberia to support Operation United Assistance enter a tent that was delivered to the country by the Defense Logistics Agency as part of a force provider kit. DLA continues to support the Defense Department operation supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development-led effort to contain Ebola in West Africa. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army)  

FORT BELVOIR, VA, UNITED STATES

11.19.2014

Story by Sara Moore 

Defense Logistics Agency   

FORT BELVOIR, Va. - The Defense Logistics Agency is continuing to supply food, water, fuel, construction supplies, medical equipment and other vital supplies in support of Operation United Assistance, the Defense Department operation supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development-led effort to contain Ebola in West Africa.

Since President Obama announced Sept. 16 the plan to send U.S. troops to support the efforts to combat Ebola, DLA has been working closely with U.S. Africa Command and was among the first group to arrive in Africa to identify sources of supply and establish logistics operations. DLA has about 30 personnel in Monrovia, Liberia, and more than 10 in Dakar, Senegal.

To date, DLA has provided 342,000 meals, ready to eat, 4,500 hot rations, 828,000 bottles of water and 72 cases of hardy fruit to support the troops in the region. The agency has also provided 200 tents, 2,200 cots, 500 insect nets, 48,000 Tyvek protection suits, 10 waste management trucks, 7,000 chemical and oil protective gloves, 3,500 utility aprons, and 11,700 sets of permethrin-treated uniforms for the service members.

DLA has also provided 800 cases of saline, 19,570 copies of map products and more than 1.8 million gallons of fuel to support OUA. The agency is providing and locally sourcing building supplies, including 12,500 plywood sheets and 250,000 pieces of lumber, for the construction of 17 Ebola treatment units.

DLA has drawn on its extensive experience supporting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts to respond quickly to orders for food, water, medical supplies and other items, said DLA Director Navy Vice Adm. Mark Harnitchek. The agency has used innovative solutions to support OUA, including contracting a commercial cargo ship to quickly move supplies to Liberia.

“DLA is uniquely qualified to handle this mission,” Harnitchek said. “After Hurricane Sandy (October 2012) and the earthquake in Haiti (January 2010), we have honed our ability to get to a location early to assess and provide resources early.”

• Date Taken: 11.19.2014
• Date Posted: 11.19.2014 09:16
• Story ID: 148233
• Location: FORT BELVOIR, VA, US