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| Costa Rican rescue workers board U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopters, transporting them to the epicenter to assist earthquake victim |
The United States Joins Search and Rescue Efforts to Aid Earthquake Victims
Near the Poas Volcano, January 11, 2008
Personnel and equipment from the U.S. Southern Command’s Joint Task Forces Bravo (JTF Bravo), based in Soto Cano, Honduras, joined the U.S. Embassy’s Office of the Defense Representative and the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) to support efforts mounted by Costa Rica’s National Emergency Commission (CNE) to aid victims of the January 11 earthquake near the Poas Volcano.
With the assistance of four helicopters – three Blackhawk and one Chinook – the United States collaborated in the search and rescue of victims, and were key in transporting rescue teams to the disaster site.
Even before the arrival of the military helicopters, the U.S. was the first country to offer aid, with Ambassador Cianchette authorizing $50,000 to the CNE for the rental of helicopters and the purchase of fuel for earthquake victims. |
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