Humanitarian assistance and disaster response are core DOD capabilities, but they are always conducted in a supporting role to assist other U.S. Government agencies. DOD has the assets and experience to deploy necessary relief personnel and resources to all corners of the globe at a moment’s notice—there is no actor better prepared to respond in times of crisis.
We have seen the positive impact of DOD’s efforts on the broader U.S. Government response to international disasters in a number of cases:
- In Operation Tomodochi, after the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in 2011—U.S. forces were instrumental in delivering food, water, blankets, clothing, and medical supplies to support Japanese civilian and military partners.
- During Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, Service Members were on the ground working with the Philippine military to provide essential medical treatment and supplies.
- During the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, Service Members were involved in constructing treatment centers and providing logistical support to stem the spread of infection.
- In the aftermath of the devastating 2015 Nepal earthquake, U.S. military personnel were instrumental in supporting relief efforts with transportation and medical treatment, and where previous training exercises with the Nepalese military significant improved their capacity to respond to the crisis.
These engagements have provided invaluable hands-on experience for service members that helps improve our future contributions to disaster relief efforts. They demonstrate time and again the value of our partnership-building activities, as partner nations have improved their disaster response capabilities after joining U.S. military in training exercises.
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The U.S. Embassy Civil Affairs Team (CAT) led medical first responder training for Philippine military and civilian personnel to mark the 239th founding anniversary of the province of Batanes from June 26 to 29.
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Fifteen U.S. Soldiers, including five from the New York Army National Guard, provided medical care to about 3,000 South African villagers in the Richards Bay area, along the eastern coast of South Africa, 100 miles northeast of Durban, during a medical readiness exercise in July.
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7/11/2022
The Utah Army National Guard Medical Detachment, the U.S. Army 30th Medical Brigade, and the Royal Moroccan Army collaborated to provide real-world humanitarian assistance to the local population here while simultaneously conducting medical readiness training during African Lion 2022.
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During the military evacuation from Afghanistan in August 2021, military medical forces played a vital role in both providing urgent medical care for those fleeing the country and supporting the mental health of Afghanistan war veterans back home.
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Task Force Liberty’s case management team partnered up with the local community Sept. 22, 2021, to provide routine dental care for the first time to Afghans living in Liberty Village on Joint Base, McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Jew Jersey.
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A Brooke Army Medical Center clinical nurse specialist used her training and experience to help vaccinate Afghan evacuees in Germany.
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National Guard members from nearly every state and territory are helping an estimated 50,000 Afghan guests by providing transportation, temporary housing, culturally appropriate food, medical screening, religious accommodations, and general support for Operation Allies Welcome.
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Led by the 30th Medical Brigade, and with assistance from Regional Health Command Europe and operational units around Europe, the team administered measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, and chickenpox vaccines to provide protection for Afghan evacuees.
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Fact Sheet
8/30/2017
This information paper provides immunization recommendations and resources for Department of Defense (DOD) personnel supporting disaster response operations, both in CONUS and OCONUS.
Policy
This instruction establishes policy for DoD participation in the NDMS, a joint federal, State, and local mutual aid response system, to provide a coordinated medical response, patient movement, and definitive patient care during a military health emergency, U.S. national emergency, or U.S. domestic disaster.
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Last Updated: August 25, 2022