Blog Is Back
After a period of dormancy due to my job change and the activities related to the new job, the blog is back! Have some updates or news to share? Let me know...


Bringing Americans Back From Lebanon
No doubt you've been following the news about the crisis in Lebanon, particularly as it relates to thousands of Americans fleeing the violence to return home to the U.S. Well, my office is responsible for helping facilitate the provision of assistance to our returning fellow countrymen, so it has been an extremely (!) busy 2 weeks. Without going in to details in this venue, I can say it has been a great experience and a successful operation. Over 12,000 Americans haver returned safely home, coming in on over 60 flights at 4 airports in the Eastern U.S. Though in senior leadership, I am not "in charge" (error), but this piece will give you sense of things:
(http://washdateline.mgnetwork.com/index.cfm?SiteID=wsh&PackageID=46&fuseaction=article.main&ArticleID=8676&GroupID=181)

REPATRIATION PROGRAM FOR AMERICANS RETURNING FROM LEBANON
The Federal government’s repatriation program is run by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The program assists with the reception, temporary care and onward transportation of American citizens to their final destinations.

The U.S. Department of State first identifies individuals who are eligible for repatriation from abroad due to destitution, illness, war, threat of war or a similar crisis. The State Department is responsible for the transportation of such individuals to American soil. Once individuals arrive, ACF/ORR is responsible for working with state, local, and non-profit partners, such as the American Red Cross, to provide a host of services.

On July 19, ACF/ORR and its partners began serving repatriated Americans returning to the U.S. from Lebanon. Each repatriation site is staffed by several dozen staff and volunteers. The effort is designed to provide necessary services to eligible individuals after they clear Customs in the United States.

Services may include:

• Medical Care: Physicians, pharmacists, paramedics, counselors and nurses are on site to provide assistance to anyone in need;
• Temporary Lodging: Temporary accommodations are arranged and provided for those who lack the resources to pay for them and shuttle vans or buses are provided for travel to identified accommodation;
• Transportation: Individuals are assisted in booking flight and rail reservations to ensure they arrive at their final destinations safely and efficiently;
• Cash Payments: Individuals in need are provided small amounts of cash to meet shortfalls in paying for specific items;
• Other Goods and Services: Food, water, clothing, toiletries, communications and other products and services are provided as needed.

ACF, working with relevant states, has been serving individuals arriving from Lebanon into Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. On July 26, the U.S. Congress passed legislation raising the $1 million cap on repatriation funding to $6 million for fiscal year 2006. On July 27, the President signed this legislation into law.

What do YOU think about the violence in Lebanon and Israel? Be a talking head and share your opinion here.