Asunción, Agencia IP.- The United States Embassy in Paraguay, through its Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC), donated personal protective equipment aimed at combating forest fires to the Volunteer Firefighters of Filadelfia and Neuland.
This solidarity action is an integral part of the Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP) of the United States Southern Command.
The donation, valued at over $46,500 U.S. dollars, includes boots, helmets, backpacks, pants, shirts, and fire-resistant shelters, essential for effectively confronting forest fires.
Present at the handover ceremony were Holger Bergen and Christian Neufeld, President and Commander of the Filadelfia Fire Department, respectively; Erwin Siemens and Santiago Ovelar, President and Commander of the Neuland Fire Department, respectively.
Also in attendance at the event were Lieutenant Colonel Justin Hauffe, Director of Operations of the ODC (Office of Defense Cooperation, U.S. Embassy), local military authorities, representatives of the National Emergency Secretariat (SEN), and Claudelino Rodas, Mayor of Filadelfia.
The Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP) reflects the collaborative commitment of the United States Department of Defense to the government authorities of partner countries. This program seeks to reduce illness and hunger by providing essential humanitarian services to vulnerable populations.
HAP actions encompass construction, training, planning, and provision of equipment to address the reduction, mitigation, and preparation for disaster risks, as well as projects related to public health, support for education, and basic infrastructure, among others.
This donation is a tangible example of how international collaboration can improve the safety and well-being of communities affected by natural disasters.