The Defense Logistics Agency today said it has increased support to provide commodities needed for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and is working with partners to help deliver the much-needed supplies.

Currently, there have been significant requests for subsistence, medical supplies and fuel to support relief efforts. A DLA working group has been formed to monitor and support current relief efforts.

"DLA is committed to providing the best support possible to front-line relief workers and victims of Katrina. We are monitoring the situation and in constant communication with our partners to provide assistance," staff director of the DLA Logistics Operations Center, Col. Eric Smith, said today.

DLA is currently collaborating with FEMA to meet an increased need for Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE). FEMA has requested 752,333 cases of MREs and DLA will work with FEMA to load 22 trucks per day to transport these to the affected areas.

As of late Wednesday evening, 55,322 cases of MREs had been ordered and shipped to support troop mobilization for relief efforts, DLA said.

The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia has received 842 requisitions for pharmaceutical and medical supplies to support the USNS Comfort, a Navy hospital ship. Upon receiving sufficient medical supplies, Comfort will sail to the impacted area to provide treatment and relief to the hurricane victims.

Since Hurricane Katrina, the Defense Energy Supply Center has received seven separate fuel requests from the impacted areas. DESC's Defense Fuel Supply Points in the southeast are all operational, although two facilities sustained some damage.

Several quality assurance personnel have been assigned to visit each facility in the impacted region to verify the physical conditions of the facilities. DESC is coordinating the delivery of thousands of gallons of jet, diesel and motor fuels to sustain helicopters, ships, cargo planes and vehicles supporting the relief efforts.

As relief efforts continue, DLA will continue to collaborate with its federal partners to ensure that needed supplies are coordinated for the region.

"DLA will continue to partner with federal agencies involved in relief efforts to ensure that the victims and relief workers are receiving the supplies they need," Smith said. "We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families and will do our best to support those in need."