3. - usaid

Because of the serious power failures, AID/DRC was requested to determine
availability, delivery time and cost of portable gas turbin generating
units--also to determine possibility of a power generating ship capable of
providing 40,000 KW for a period from November through May 1969. Much
time was spent by AID/DRC canvassing electric power generating equipment
manufacturers, public utility companies that might have generators available,
and generator equipment leasing dompanies. None were interested in
either rental or leasing arrangements since generating capacity in the US
is already strained. To obtain such generating equipment requires several
months to a year lead time. It was also determined that all barge or
ship possibilities were out of the question because of prior commitments.
It should be noted that there have been previous cases in other countries
where disasters have severely reduced the electric power capacity and
where similar requests for assistance were made to the USG. In no
instance, except for the furnishing of generator parts, was it possible
for AID to provide the help requested because of long advance planning
needed to obtain generators of the size required to alleviate such power
shortages.
ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY U. S. VOLUNTARY AGENCIES
CARE, Catholic Relief Services, World Relief Commission and Seventh-Day
Adventist Welfare Service diverted above P. L. 480 food from their
regular programs to drought relief.
ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY OTHER NATIONS
None reported.