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U.S. Naval Forces Europe Humanitarian Assistance Projects for the Klaipeda children's homes and 'Caritas' senior home during the Military Exercise RESCUER-MEDCEUR 2002

July 15, 2002

The multilateral military exercise, RESCUER-MEDCEUR 2002, which will take place in the Baltic countries Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on 15-29 July 2002, includes four Civic Assistance projects in Lithuania and two in each Latvia and Estonia. These Civic Assistance projects are part of the U.S. European Command’s Humanitarian Assistance Program.

One of the aims of this exercise is to enhance military interoperability by conducting Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response operations. These are medical and construction projects for the benefit of the civilian population.

The Lithuanian Humanitarian Civic Assistance construction projects implemented by the U.S. Navy engineers include the renovation of the Klaipeda "Rytas" and "Dane" Orphanages, a Temporary Children's Shelter renovation, and the Caritas Senior Home.

The "Rytas" Orphanage project is estimated to cost $60,000. A four-storied building is being renovated. This work includes bathrooms. Floor and wall tiles and the entire septic system are being replaced. Renovation is scheduled to finish on 15 July 2002.

The Caritas Senior Home project is estimated to cost $27,000. The second floor bathrooms and balconies, along with the first floor dining room, prayer room and kitchen will be fully renovated and the first floor windows will be replaced. The entryway road will be paved by 26 July 2002. A local company was contracted to do part of the renovation work.

The "Dane" Orphanage will have a renovated kitchen and refrigerator unit, new floor and wall tiles, and will have the electrical, ventilation and exhaust systems replaced. This project will also finish by 26 July 2002.

The Klaipeda Temporary Children's Shelter project is estimated at $20 K. They will have windows replaced, a renovated entrance and staircase, and a big new wooden playground.

The other four projects related to RESCUER-MEDCEUR 2002 in Latvia and Estonia are similar in content and value.

In addition to these renovation projects, U.S. military medical doctors from the U.S. Navy Ship COMFORT, participating in this exercise, will be offering free medical treatment to several Lithuanian civilian medical patients, as part of the RESCUER-MEDCEUR 2002 exercise.

The Medical Treatment Facility of the U.S. Navy Ship COMFORT is among the largest trauma facilities in the U.S. Navy. It features 12 operating rooms and can be configured to accommodate up to 1,000 beds, as well as offering a full spectrum of surgical and medical services.