Today, the United States provided critical logistical support to the response to the devastating floods in Libya, airlifting vital life-saving humanitarian supplies to northeastern Libya. Commander of U.S. AFRICOM General Michael Langley, U.S. Special Envoy for Libya Ambassador Richard B. Norland, and members of USAID's Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) accompanied the supplies into Benghazi, where the relief items were immediately consigned to USAID partner the International Organization for Migration and other relief agencies for distribution to people displaced and affected by the floods.
These humanitarian commodities include blankets, hygiene supplies, water containers, shelter repair kits, and plastic sheeting for shelter from USAID's warehouse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. USAID's DART in the region worked closely with the Department of Defense to coordinate the airlift and arrival of the incoming USAID humanitarian relief supplies. The DART continues to work closely with Libyan and international humanitarian partners to assess needs and ensure aid is reaching the most vulnerable affected by the storm and subsequent flooding.
This airlift of critical relief supplies by AFRICOM follows a commercial airlift earlier this week of another 13 metric tons of humanitarian supplies from USAID's warehouse in Dubai. To date, the United States has provided $12 million in response to the devastating floods in Libya, including $11 million from USAID, and 26 metric tons of relief supplies to help thousands of people. We will continue to stand with the Libyan people during this difficult time.
