The United States announced a forthcoming donation to Chile, which includes two field hospitals in July to support the capacity for patients hospitalized due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP), an additional investment of $750,000, will be made and forwarded to institutions such as the National Service for Minors (Sename), Assistance Resources, Desafío Levantemos Chile, Caritas, Fundación Ilusióname, and the Adventist Development Agency.
Baxter Hunt, chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Chile, made the announcement on June 23, during the delivery of new donations of products and supplies to support various vulnerable communities impacted by the effects of the pandemic.
“The United States has been a reliable and historical partner of Chile in disaster relief, and this includes the current pandemic,” Hunt said. “The entire United States, as a whole, is helping the people of Chile through funds from the U.S. government, donations from private companies, and support from the scientific community and universities.”
Hunt added that the embassy’s personal protective equipment donations just in June include 12,300 face masks (9,300 surgical and 3,000 KN95), 400 boxes with cleaning products, as well as more than 1,500 disposable diapers. These essential items, worth more than $50,000, were purchased using funds provided by the HAP program as well as various U.S. companies.
SOUTHCOM’s COVID-19 assistance projects support requests from partner nations for supplies and equipment needed to respond to the virus, treat infected patients, and prevent additional exposures.