Shortage of Military Aircraft Grounds Group’s Aid for Turkey

A local emergency relief organization that has collected 40 tons of medical equipment was scrambling Tuesday to get the supplies to Turkish quake victims after military officials denied the group use of an Air Force cargo plane.

Military officials had tried last week to arrange for a C5 cargo plane to haul the supplies collected in a Wilmington warehouse by Operation USA, a Los Angeles-based emergency relief group.

But on Tuesday, the officials said that all military cargo planes are in use delivering supplies that are more immediately needed, such as medicine, tents, water purification systems and body bags.

A government official said the medical equipment collected by Operation USA was appreciated, but the need for it was not as pressing.

“What they have is not the No. 1 priority,� said Laura Gross, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Agency for International Development, which is heading the U.S. government relief effort. “No one’s life is depending on these supplies.�

She said a cargo plane may be available in a few weeks.

The supplies include surgical devices, gurneys, clinical supplies and plastic sheeting for shelter. Most of the supplies were donated by Allegiance Corp., a Deerfield, Ill.-based health care firm. Some of the supplies were purchased with $25,000 in private cash donations.

Operation USA President Richard Walden said he is now asking several commercial airlines to fly the supplies to Miami, where they will be taken to Turkey on a flight donated by Turkish Airlines.

If a commercial flight cannot be arranged, Walden said, the supplies will be hauled to Miami on three big-rig trucks, leaving Wilmington on Thursday and arriving in Miami by Sunday.

Once in Turkey, the supplies will be distributed with help from Turkish authorities and the Red Crescent Society, he said.

Walden said he is disappointed that the military cargo plane won’t be available, but said he knows that other private groups have already sent supplies to help the quake victims.

“It would be too vain to think that our stuff is the only stuff they have to save lives,� he said.

He said equipment previously purchased by his group--including inflatable bags that can be used to lift collapsed walls--was flown to Turkey on Sunday with the help of the Turkish Consulate.

Operation USA, a nonprofit group that has been collecting relief supplies for victims of disasters for 20 years, faced similar delays last year when the group tried to fly relief supplies to victims of Hurricane Mitch in Nicaragua.

Government officials say cash contributions can more readily help purchase supplies available in Turkey and neighboring countries.

A list of relief organizations approved by the federal government is available by calling (800) 872-4373, or on the World Wide Web at www.info.usaid.gov.