Drawdown Under Section 506(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended, To Provide Emergency Disaster Assistance in Southern Africa

President Clinton authorized a drawdown of up to $37.6 million in Defense Department articles and services to provide emergency disaster assistance to Southern Africa, specifically Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. The determination was made under Section 506(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

Federal Register Open PDF 65 FR 15819

Impact dates

Mar 2, 2000
Secretary of State reports determination to Congress immediately

Key directives

Draw down up to $37.6 million of DOD articles and services for Southern Africa disaster assistance
Secretary of State to report determination to Congress immediately
Secretary of State to arrange Federal Register publication

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Drawdown authorization takes effect upon determination
Secretary of State must report to Congress immediately

Near term (90d)

Delivery of disaster assistance to Southern Africa
Federal Register publication arranged

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

Immediate reporting requirement suggests urgency but 'immediately' is vague—likely within days, not hours
Drawdown reduces DOD inventory capacity; trade-off between foreign assistance and military readiness
Regional scope includes politically and economically diverse countries (South Africa vs. Mozambique) with different aid absorption capacities