In response to the report, a State Department spokesperson told Newsweek that is working to process refugees in Doha quickly "in order to ensure we move as many people as possible, in the shortest time possible.". XApparition- 6 yr. ago u/hotdog313 HoTdOg313 6 yr. ago The BPC II dormitory facility opened in April 2015. Amentum is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) for a position located at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar supporting the Air Force. When required to perform duties within the detention facility. "Just to be met with the response from the dorm managers by telling us to turn them down or turn them off briefly. The Pentagon also said that it has taken concrete steps to improve conditions on the ground, including installing over 100 toilets and offering 7,000 traditional Afghan meals, three times a day. Editors note: After this article was published, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Qatar provided the following statement: The facilities mentioned in the article were not furnished by the government of Qatar. 2 0 obj Qatar is a very modern city and growing every day. Living and working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Living and working on the Island of Diego Garcia, CONTRACT AWARD: $10M for IT & telecommunication installation services in Qatar and Jordan, Construction started on the U.S. Embassy in Qatar. Trash, urine, fecal matter, spilled liquids and vomit cover the floors, one communication read. The base is home to the headquarters of Centcom and US Air Force Central Command. Each suite will have four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room and a kitchen area. The new living areas are hardened to protect against rocket attacks and are part of $1.4 billion in base upgrades funded by Qatar at this strategic hub in the Middle East. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Complaints from troops at Al Udeid about moldy showers and temporary living quarters once reached Congress, which in 2016 pressured military officials to improve the situation. One kid from Prattville, Alabama, and another from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, took a bus to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. 70 Jobs found! Supporting the Most Exciting and Meaningful Missions in the World Senior Data Scientist In support of the Operational, Planning, Implementation, and Assessment . This story has been shared 174,683 times. Hundreds of flights delayed, canceled amid latest winter storms, What Biden might try next if his student loan forgiveness plan is struck down. However, construction has been reportedly plagued by technical problems, including faulty wiring. Airmen deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, set out to remove years of accumulated clutter during a base-wide cleanup initiative December 3-10, 2020. Position Summary. The email, which was first reported on by Axios, describes "dire conditions" at the Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, as the U.S. continues to evacuate thousands of Afghans in the aftermath of the Taliban's rapid takeover of the country. "This is a permanent base now,and some people still only view it as temporary.". New dorms are being built across the street. The clearest month of the year at Al Dhafra Air Base is October, during which on average the sky is clear, mostly clear . On the civilian side, American soldiers were searching the bags and belongings of Afghan evacuees Tuesday, just 50 yards away from the first airport gate, where the Taliban were also managing crowds. Ambassador to Qatar Timmy T. Davis. "There are empty rooms in the BPC, high ranking has multiple rooms, single occupancy and everybody else is living doubled up in a room the size of a prison cell," one member of the group wrote. Most billeting has worse living conditions than some Afghanistan locations. Additionally, the facility straddles the line between a warfighting outpost close to the front lines and a permanent base, which leaves it without long-term budget stability from the US military. Gabe Joselow reported from Kabul, Fallon Gallagher from Chantilly, Va., Yuliya Talmazan from London and Abigail Williams from Washington. In the aftermath of the Gulf War in 1991, the United. Airmen have taken to one Facebook group, "People of the Deid," to post their distaste for the unsatisfactory environment. | Terms of Use - Privacy Policy According to the military, a plane takes off or lands from the base every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day. said Biden should "let the military accomplish their mission and then we will get out.. More modern accommodation and amenities are in the works. Nobody here wants anyone to be less than safe, secure, comfortable and well cared for, as they go through this process. It was sent by US Central Command special agent Colin Sullivan and included notes from Doha embassy staff about the conditions at the airbase. Earlier this year, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates infamously stated that America's Al-Udeid base . Just how bad are living conditions at Al Udeid? When they arrive at the base airmen are told that air filters need to be cleaned out on a daily basis to keep the mold out. Maj. Gen. Andrew J . Tags: Deployed Location, living and working, Qatar, All Rights Reserved 2011 2023 Professional Overseas Contractors, LLC, About AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --. A government official who read Sullivans email to Axios told the news outlet that the State Department had done little to advise the Pentagon on building appropriate facilities for thousands of refugees. Calling the deadline "arbitrary," Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas. Most did not have any spare clothes and were unaware of what their final destinations would be. More than 10,000 people were still waiting to be evacuated on Wednesday, Army Major General William Taylor, told a news briefing Wednesday. Do Democrats need a past superstar to hold the White House in 2024? It houses the Qatar Emiri Air Force, United States Air Force, Royal Air Force, and other foreign forces. Sgt. "There are bound to be some or even multiple discomforts.". The wing "has $378K worth of known requirements to maintain the Cadillac facilities and we have received, or are awaiting delivery of, over $350K worth of materials. Sort By Central Michigan University (CMU) Online Education 0 Reviews 1200 S Franklin St, Mt Pleasant, MI 48859 800-950-1144 For a long time, Qatar avoided drawing attention to the large American base inside its territory. As Bischoff drove through the base Friday morning, he said he could see the heavy machinery tearing down the temporary living quarters that housed airmen over the past two decades. Furthermore, Qatar is home to Al Udeid Air Base, which is the largest US military base in the Middle East. A leaked memo from an official at US Central Command reportedly describes the Biden administration's housing situation for Afghan refugees at the Al Udeid air base in Qatar as a 'living. A State Department spokesperson told Newsweek that crowded conditions in Doha are being relieved since the U.S. has evacuation operations in more than two dozen countries. More than 500 of them have been housed in a compound in Doha. Photos and video footage shared with Al Jazeera showed hundreds of Afghans crowded together in unsanitary conditions in a hangar at Al Udeid airbase in Qatar. At McChord Field, Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing, along with other C-17 Globemaster III bases within Air Mobility Command, were sent on a rotation to be a part of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in what is known as the EAS Swap Out. Im not going to stand up here and tell you that theyre perfect, because theyre not, because evacuees continue to flow into Qatar, and theres a lot on the ground right now, and . A screenshot of the Air Force's press release on growing mold during humid temperatures. NBC News saw Taliban fighters leading long lines of evacuees toward the airport, including pregnant women, men and children in a process that appeared calm and orderly on Tuesday. The goal under the five-year construction plan has been to move airmen from the older Coalition Compound complex, or CC, quarters to the newer BPC, which is now in its fourth phase of construction. Biden administration officials have repeatedly refused to say how many US citizens remain in Kabul. An 8th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron crew flies a C-17 Globemaster, across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 4, 2023. Since then, the Air Force has requested millions more to build on to the facilities. Al Udeid has become an integral part to missions in Afghanistan, currently called Operations Freedom's Sentinel or Resolute Support, and to the fight against the Islamic State group under. , spokeswoman for the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, told Air Force Times on Feb. 18. 83 Expeditionary Air Group RAF, and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing of the USAF. Afghan refugees who sent the pictures to Al Jazeera said they were being kept in the sweltering heat where several people had fainted as they waited in long queues to use the toilet or receive food and water. Hotter than you have imagined with 200% humidity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. <>/XObject<>/ExtGState<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Feb 2020 - Aug 20211 year 7 months. The leaked emails add to the criticism the Biden administration has faced amid the rushed evacuations after the Taliban seized control. Amentum . More than 17,000 US citizens and Afghans were evacuated from Kabul in 36 hours, White House officials said late Monday but the deadly Taliban violence that has blocked many from entering the airport still remains. AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar - When many people picture or reminisce on deployments, they visualize rugged conditions. "Individuals with immune suppression may be at increased risk for infection from molds.". The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing leads the way on installation upgrades here. Sullivans email further shared excerpts from Doha Embassy staff communications about conditions at the base. "We documented 13 indoor air quality deficiencies," states the report, titled U.S. Military-Occupied Facilities . Qatar has been praised on a global scale for its swift evacuation of Afghans in "the largest airlift of people in history". . In a joint effort between U.S. Central Command. We've been highlighting here recently the longstanding and morale-draining issues with living conditions at Al Udeid Air Base, in Qatar specifically the Air Force's inability to remedy these conditions over the course of a dozen years of continual degradation. Was this review helpful? my mother hates me poem; tropico 6 map seeds; xyy syndrome famous people Trash, urine, fecal matter, spilled liquids and vomit cover the floors," wrote one excerpt, according to Axios. While not in any way downplaying the conditions in Kabul nor the conditions the Afghanis [sic] are escaping from, the current conditions in Doha are of our own doing, Sullivan wrote. A sign of the breadth and urgency of the mission, the Pentagon activated commercial airlines to help with the evacuation. Qatar has helped facilitate the transit ofUScitizens, embassystaff, and at-risk Afghans through Doha as it hosts an Americanprocessing centre for people arriving from Afghanistan. The only escape from the heat is on an aircraft, in a vehicle, or in a building. Includes: Alamo Army Security Agency (Detachment L) Bayonet Training Area Mujahidsaid the crowds of desperate Afghans trying to get on evacuation flights at Kabul airport should return to their homes because the Taliban guarantee their security.. The next phase of construction will add more work areas for the U.S. and Qatari militaries, said Capt. "The Qatar Emiri Corps of Engineers has done an exemplary job, which will aid our shared mission to ensure regional security." Nightly humidity reaches in excess of 80% and the ambient temperature does not fall below 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Hangar update. "Not to mention, we just had multiple confirmed incidents of salmonella," one Air Force Times reader reported, calling the conditions, "pathetic and abysmal" forhis time at the base.In short, readers say, it's a base coined by the term, "Where morale goes to die." Photos posted daily to the Facebook group People of the Deid paint a picture of low morale among some servicemen and women at the air base, which is home to about 11,000 people, according to the US Department of Defense. And I think that's absolutely wrong, he said. That included 41 jobs in one day. La base area de Al Udeid cuenta con la pista de aterrizaje ms grande de Medio Oriente con una longitud de unos 3.750 metros. AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar Construction workers are putting the finishing touches on new dorms for thousands of airmen at Al Udeid Air Base, U.S. military officials said Friday. IE 11 is not supported. It has an international range and the . Jobs in Al Udeid Air Base; Jobs in Al Udeid Air Base . . In the email, Sullivan described "a life-threatening humanitarian disaster" and included excerpts from Doha Embassy staff that described the conditions for refugees as "a living hell" and "nightmare.". The base is one of several where these refugees will be processed and screened, before being flown on to the United States, Europe and Asia. In a statement at the time,Lt. Col. Tiffany Warnke, 379th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, called the move a two-fold victory.. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kylie Barrow. The base expects20 new lodging facilities with integrated, quality bathrooms in the summer of 2016, Maj. Angela Webb, spokeswoman for the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, told Air Force Times on Feb. 18. The flightline is massive. In January, the KC-135 Stratotanker refueling fleetat Al Udeidcompleted more than 14,700 sorties for operations tied to Freedoms Sentineland Inherent Resolve. Additional planesat the base also include the C-17, C-21, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft such as theE-8C Joint STARS, RC-135 and P-3. Al Udeid Air Base is a midsized airport in Baladyat ad Dawah, Qatar. The USs largest outpost in the Middle East suffers from mold, leaking ceilings and dilapidated bathrooms, according to members of the military who have been widely lamenting their living conditions at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Includes Crete, Iraklion and Souda Bay. The ICAO designator of this field is OTBH and it's IATA code is XJD. There's nothing around it." Between 2003 and 2007, Congress appropriated and approved about $126 million (in 2015-16 inflation standards, that would be roughly $165 million). At intermediate staging bases, we have been focused on building capacity, rapidly processing, and facilitating onward movement." The Pentagon later on Tuesday acknowledged "what had been some. Living conditions are poor, at best. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets And most commonly,waterfall-like streaks of black mold. The email subject line Dire conditions at Doha- described human waste and rubbish threatening to overwhelm the hangar where refugees were housed, as well as an infestation of rats. Fast forward to 2003, when groundwork began for the first permanent facilities at Al Udeid. The Taliban is not cooperating in terms of allowing Afghans to come to the airport, and yet the reality on the ground is still that our military is operating under an order that we are leaving on August 31 despite what the president suggested. We anticipate no issues being awarded the remaining amount," Webb said. The buildings become victim to heavy rains and sandstorms, deteriorating and collapsing walls and ceilings. It has facilitated the safe passage of Afghan civilians, journalists, diplomats, and international officials. Most Expats would say at first glance, Why does every petrol station Im passing seem to be closed? but in Qatar, you dont get out of the car to fill up that's why. ", "My main concern regarding my experience there was the safety of the flight operations due to the inability to get good rest," said Maj. Travis Grantham with the Arizona Air National Guard. Pentagon . Youre seeing a lot of changes, said U.S. Air Force Col. Arno J. Bischoff, who is overseeing the construction as director of the 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) program management office. He further said that catering services have been contracted to serve 7,000 traditional Afghan meals three times per day. Scott McKenzie, who left Al Udeid this month, wrote to Air Force Times. While not in any way downplaying the conditions in Kabul nor the conditions the Afghanis [sic] are escaping from, the current conditions in Doha are of our own doing, he said. The air base in Doha, Qatar, where President Joe Biden's administration is housing thousands of Afghan refugees is riddled with squalid conditions that include feces, urine, sweltering heat and a rat infestation, according to a leaked email obtained from the U.S. Central Command. We are working quickly to alleviate bottlenecks and are surging consular personnel in Qatar, in addition to expediting manifesting, to alleviate current conditions, the spokesperson said. Page 1 of 4. In addition to that dream, she achieved a new feat that will impact future generations of servicewomen: Flying while pregnant. Kirby said the conditions are improving but not perfect, and that the U.S. military is working to identify other temporary locations to send evacuees to ease the pressure at the base. The email from Sullivan highlights the chaotic situation the administrationhas faced as it seeks to complete evacuations of American citizens from Afghanistan before a self-imposed Aug. 31 deadline. CBS News' Roxana Saberi reports from Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, where thousands of evacuees have been flown in from Afghanistan over the past several days. By Oriana Pawlyk Feb 16, 2016 It may be 70 degrees this time of year outside Al Udeid Air Base, Ab Naklah, Qatar, but its the inside that. On Wednesday, a group of Republican and Democratic members of Congress called on Biden to extend it so that the military could finish its evacuation mission. "This is all a matter of perspective," Menning, who was in Al Udeid for a year in 2008, said. Al Udeid was a very fast paced, every changing work environment. Nonetheless, the White House has touted the success of the U.S. military for working to operate quick evacuations. "We're in the middle of humanitarian crises [sic] that compounds itself with every flight that lands in Doha," wrote another. Al Udeid Air Base is located southwest of Doha, Qatar. Al Udeid AB serves as a logistics and command hub for the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in the middle east. Gregory Brook, US Air Force via AP) DOHA, Qatar The US and Qatar launched a plan Tuesday to expand Al-Udeid airbase, the biggest military facility used by Washington in the Gulf as it battles . What they're saying: One official familiar both with the flights and the airfield in Qatar told Axios the hangars at Al Udeid have no air conditioning, only large fans and evaporative "swamp coolers." "It's brutally hot," the official said. First, our Airmen no longer have to reside in extremely dilapidated facilities without central latrine and showers, she said. "These investments in the physical infrastructure at Al Udeid Air Base reflect an enduring commitment to the close security partnership of Qatar and the United States," said U.S. We take it very seriously.. Posted by People Of The Deid onWednesday, February 17, 2016. Airmen have been raising concerns about germ-addled rooms, spore-clogged air conditioners, crumbling structures, and poorly . Email her atopawlyk@airforcetimes.com. Al Udeid Air Base is a military base west of Doha, Qatar, also known as Abu Nakhlah Airport. KABUL, Afghanistan As thousands more people were evacuated from Kabul's airport Wednesday, reports have emerged that dire conditions await them in transit hubs like Qatar. Al Udeid AB serves as a logistics and command hub for the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in the middle east. But the Air Force saysmajor illnesses have not been identified. Its something were going to watch, not just there but every other temporary safe haven that were operating from. AC after I moved into my room in the cc side. "A humid day today. endobj That is what Washington is doing today with America's Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar. To sum it all up, one member says:"Instead of doubling down & putting up proper dorms & housing in the first decade of operation the leadership have limped the [sic] facilities along to the point of failure Hopefully this will force the hand of [C]ongress to open the purse strings & get the dorms in place before the 99 year lease ends. The three-story dorms will house between 882 and 3,306 airmen, depending on demand, Richardson said. Furthermore, the issue is still not being properly handled, the report said. Lt. Col. Simon Alexander Ritchie, who heads a medical unit at the air base, is one of the first U.S. service members the Afghans meet after arriving at Ramstein to prepare to fly to the United States. Qatari officials have touted the American presence and said they are working to make the base a permanent fixture. Its runway measures 15,000 long -- the longest in the Gulf. August 24, 2021 12:59 PM. Gallantry: Biden presents Medal of Honor to retired Army Col. Paris Davis for his heroics in Vietnam, US to send bridge-launching vehicles for tank deployments to Ukraine in new $400M aid package, Japan complains to US over Utah senators remarks on imprisoned Navy officer, Military, VA provide troops, vets more gun safety options to help reduce suicides, Pentagon tells service members to stop displaying giant US flags at major events, K-Town Now features the latest news from the Kaiserslautern Military Community. They were both a little scared and excited to become the U.S. Air Force's newest Airmen. The groups spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said during a press conference that theywant all evacuations to stop at the end of the month despite thousands of Americans and Afghans still trying to flee. The Al Udeid base is home to the largest US base in the Middle East. 1 0 obj endobj Where the Afghans are housed is a living hell. The Space Force is the United States' newest service in more than 70 years. Al Udeid has becomean integral part to missions inAfghanistan, currently calledOperations Freedom's Sentinel or Resolute Support,and to the fight against the Islamic State group under Operation Inherent Resolve. Al Udeid Air Base Qatar Careers portal for Al Udeid Air Base Jobs. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its territory surrounded by the Persian Gulf. All Rights Reserved. Outside of work the living conditions were good, and there were lots of things to do in the local city. Senior Data Scientist . "If you've deployed to Al Udeid recently and have witnessed these rotten conditions, we want to hear from you. Everybodys focused on trying to improve the conditions, Kirby told Axios on Tuesday. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes). And some saythe situation couldbe even worse: "After a few trips to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Mali I soon realizedYOU ARE DEPLOYED, DEAL WITH IT! Photo Credit: Courtesy Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page. Keep score and improve your game. One on hand, it has a swimming pool, access to travel and "you get three beers a day." He also shared excerpts from communication from US embassy staff in Doha, including one note that read: A humid day today. The United States is working quickly to improve the squalid conditions at the Qatar base that the U.S. military is using as a safe haven for Kabul evacuees. The event name "Klean the Deid" paid homage to the origin of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing with the K that represented the unit when first established as a bombardment group in World War II. Amentum is seeking a Power Production Technician for a position located at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar supporting the Air Force. It houses foreign coalition personnel and assets. Nearby Camp As Sayliyah houses significant U.S. military equipment pre-positioning and command and control facilities for the CENTCOM's area of operations. Amentum is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) for a position located at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar supporting the Air Force. The U.S. Air Force is interested in installing always-on surveillance systems fueled by artificial intelligence and other advanced computing technology at Luca Leone sur LinkedIn : AI-powered surveillance sought for US Central Command He warned they wouldtake over airport securityin Kabul, which the US currently controls, after the deadline. A leaked U.S. government email describes squalid, unsanitary conditions at an air base for Afghan refugees in Doha, Qatar. <> Airmen with the "Cadillac Maintenance Team," part of the 379thExpeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron,for example,have completedmore than 600 work orders,with more than 23,000 man hours since Dec. 31, the Air Force said. Our mission is to provide a comfortable and safe living environment for Command Sponsored If you would like to get in touch with us to write a story, pitch an idea or provide a lead, contact us on: Input your search keywords and press Enter. They are entitled to, and rightly expect, the best conditions reasonably possible under the circumstances. The State of #Qatar is committed to tackling humanitarian issues, offering housing and healthcare to evacuees from #Afghanistan residing in the country temporarily. "Short of replacing ceiling tiles all the time, there's not a lot you can do," Menning said. AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar Construction workers are putting the finishing touches on new dorms for thousands of airmen at Al Udeid Air Base, U.S. military officials said Friday. Service members for about 10 years used to hunker down in tents (some readers even say this wasa better model than what is now there). It is host to a forward headquarters of United States Central Command, headquarters of United States Air Forces Central, No. Nobodys ducking from this. A State Department spokespersontold The Hill that the agency and the Defense Department have been in incredibly close coordination at every level, along with the rest of the interagency, to stand up these transit points and ensure that they are safe and have adequate provisions for those temporarily being housed.. corey perry house london ontario. Contact us today. Newsweek contacted the U.S. Central Command for additional comment. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Monday that more than 37,000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan since August 14, including Afghan allies and Afghans at risk of persecution by the Taliban. By Jared Keller | Published Oct 31, 2022 10:44 AM EDT News Al Udeid made headlines last November when the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, visited and met with US military personnel as part of an initiative to support current and former soldiers and their families. Qatar has the world's third-largest natural gas reserves and oil reserves of over 25 billion barrels which have fueled Qatar to become the world's richest country per capita and achieve the highest human development in the Arab World and the 36th highest globally; furthermore, it is recognized as a high-income economy by the World Bank and also the 19th most peaceful country in the world. <> Localities in the Area Abu Nakhla Village HMS OCEAN, Persian Gulf Over the course of five days, medical personnel from the 379th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron and Royal Navy worked together to test their capabilities during coalition exercise Azraq Serpent, Jan. 23 - 27. from around the world. Civilian clothes everywhere. The email describing the conditions inside the hangar was titled dire conditions at Doha and noted how the human beings are in a living nightmare.. This report was made for March 1, 2023 17:15, local time on Al Udeid Air Base. People fleeing Afghanistan following the Taliban's rapid takeover of the . "And also the toll the living conditions take on the immune system and morale in general.". When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. Qatar wants to make the air base more family friendly for U.S. forces in the hopes that the. stream Oriana Pawlyk coversdeployments, cyber,Guard/Reserve, uniforms,physical training,crime and operations in the Middle East, Europe and Pacific for Air Force Times. - Played a critical role in the Technical Services Group that provided HVAC engineering on a fully integrated . The issues plaguing the Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, . They now have a rat problem, another read. Despite growing pressure from his European allies to allow more time for people to leave, President Joe Biden said Tuesday that he would stick to his Aug. 31 deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops, leaving a narrow timeline to finish evacuating Americans and Afghan allies. The Base houses foreign coalition personnel. As tsgt you may get in new bpc dorms? A few airmen returning stateside between December and February said that a handful of members also experienced salmonella poisoning. William Burns, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, told The Hill, We recognize this is a challenging and difficult situation for these vulnerable individuals and families, and we remain committed to providing a secure, safe and sanitary environment., Burns added that the command has rapidly built up capacity and facilities to provide essential humanitarian assistance to evacuees. He said one plane had departed every 39 minutes.