Comayagua, Honduras –
Joint Task Force Bravo, with support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), delivered a donation of supplies valued at $ 15,000 to the Comayagua Department of Health in support of local efforts to counter the dengue epidemic in Comayagua, Honduras, August 27, 2019.
The donation included seven fumigation pumps, spare parts, personal protective equipment and fumigation supplements that will help the region to continue efforts to contain the disease and reduce cases in Comayagua.
The donations were delivered by U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Hilburn Caulder, JTFB deputy commander who was joined by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kathleen Flocke, JTFB surgeon and Major Jorge Chavez, JTFB public health.
As neighbors of the city of Comayagua at Soto Cano Air Base, JTFB collaborates in multiple medical missions in the region and maintains a close relationship with the regional health representatives.
"This community is our community. We are grateful to be able to cooperate and share our efforts and expertise, and continue what has been a 37 year partnership of being in your community," said Caulder.
“Our team works in cooperation with COPECO, the Ministry of Health and the Governor’s office to collaborate in a greater strategy to support this fight against dengue. This is a big step today and it is our understanding that there will be more efforts in the future,” said Caulder.
Dr. Dolores Ortega, regional health director in Comayagua also thanked the JTFB team, saying that when they requested assistance they got an immediate response from the US military.
“We are pleased and motivated by the great help they are giving us to be able to fight the national dengue emergency in the department of Comayagua immediately and directly. We thank you for responding to our request and we hope to always count on the valuable alliance with our region, and thus continue to provide assistance to the most vulnerable population,” said Ortega.
Recently, the JTFB Civil Affairs office also facilitated the donation of excess furniture from Soto Cano Air Base, which served to condition an improvised facility that can accommodate dengue patients in La Paz, due to the regional hospital exceeding capacity from the high incidence of this epidemic in the region.