Contact: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Press Office, 202-712-4320; Public Information, 202-712-4810

MIAMI, June 20 /Standard Newswire/ -- With the Atlantic hurricane season underway, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is prepared to respond to storms in Latin America and the Caribbean.

"USAID works with local officials and international first responders to help mitigate the impact of international disasters worldwide. In addition, we stand prepared to respond after a disaster strikes," said Ky Luu, Director of USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). "The emergency relief supplies stored at our Miami warehouse will allow us to quickly respond in the aftermath of a disaster."

Today, USAID held a press conference concerning hurricane preparations for the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. Luu and Tim Callaghan, Senior Regional Advisor for OFDA, were on hand to provide an update on USAID's ongoing preparations and disaster response capacities.

USAID has replenished relief commodities stored at its warehouse in Miami and is prepared to provide assistance as necessary. A team of USAID disaster experts based in the San Jose, Costa Rica regional office remains available for immediate deployment throughout the region. In addition, USAID manages a network of Latin American and Caribbean-based disaster experts who serve as direct links to the countries in the hemisphere, increasing the Agency's ability to prepare for and quickly respond to natural disasters.

For major disasters, a USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) may be deployed to provide life-saving emergency humanitarian assistance, including short-term disaster relief items and support with humanitarian coordination. Relief commodities such as medical supplies, hygiene kits, plastic sheeting, water containers, and blankets are stockpiled in Miami for quick disbursement, if requested by the government of the respective country.

In the event of an impending disaster such as a powerful hurricane, USAID may pre-position personnel and relief supplies in order to provide immediate assistance and conduct humanitarian assessments.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service forecast for the current Atlantic hurricane season, June 1 - November 30, indicates that normal to above-average tropical activity is expected. In 2007, USAID responded to the effects of two major hurricanes and one tropical storm in eight Latin American and Caribbean countries and provided life-saving humanitarian relief to disaster affected communities.

For more information on USAID and its disaster assistance programs, please visit: www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/.

The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.