Needs

The Commander USSOUTHCOM has outlined the need for a progressively larger number of SOUTHCOM personnel capable of rapid deployment throughout the SOUTHCOM AOR. These personnel have to be able to work with senior US and host nation representatives on the various aspects of a multitude of different mission types. They need to possess the requisite background in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance procedures for any mission regardless of type. The INTERHANDS program will help provide this background needed to be immediately effective as a member of an operational staff at all levels.

A large component of the Global CDMHA at USF's mission is to facilitate civil-military collaboration so that those coming from the military and other “cultures”-be it an NGO, a governmental agency, or a foreign military-can work together more efficiently and cohesively in the field than ever before. As the frequency of U.S. military participation in natural disaster and complex emergency situations rises, the knowledge gained by this training will prove to be critical.