Download or read book The DISAM Journal of International Security Assistance Management. Volume 23, Number 2, Winter 2001 written by and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 137 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since absorbing the Office of Humanitarian Assistance and Demining in 1988, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has had the management responsibilities for a program of widespread acclaim and global impact. By employing DoDs unrivaled infrastructure and professional personnel to alleviate human suffering and to assist struggling nations to stabilize their economic and political systems, DSCA's humanitarian activities touch everyone from political leaders to peasants in the countryside. In this issue we are proud to present the breadth of humanitarian assistance and demining tasks covered by DSCA. Special Congressional appropriations fund military efforts abroad that are aimed at assisting victim of hurricanes, earthquakes, or man-made disasters. It is noteworthy that, as this issue goes to press, such U.S. aid is winging its way towards India to relieve the suffering caused by a devastating earthquake. Humanitarian assistance funds go to projects such as refurbishing and equipping schools and medical facilities, transporting humanitarian goods (often in conjunction with non-governmental organizations), and delivering food and water to disaster victims. In some cases, military forces carry out medical, dental, and veterinary tasks in rural areas. The humanitarian demining program assists in relieving the scourge of many areas which have seen conflict by clearing land mines so that the land can be returned to profitable use. These humane actions improve the life of needy peoples and create a lasting image of American troops as benefactors in many depressed regions of the world.