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Introduction From the outset, the Department of State has been committed to providing USG employees injured in the Embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam and the families of USG personnel killed in those bombings with all available assistance. This includes medical care for the injured, compensation and benefits for the injured and those who lost family members, and appropriate commemoration ceremonies to recognize the U.S. Government employees who died in the service of their country. The magnitude and locations of the tragedies made the process of responding to the needs of the victims' families and of the injured employees difficult at times. In addition, a number of the injured and killed USG employees were affiliated with agencies other than the Department of State. The Department of State, in cooperation with a number of other agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Justice and Health and Human Services, has worked over the last year to address the needs and concerns of the survivors and families. The Department has coordinated with these agencies to ensure that programs dealing with compensation, benefits, and long-term care are responsive to the families of those killed in the bombings and to those who were injured in the bombings. This fact sheet summarizes the ways in which the U.S. Government, including the Department of State, has assisted the victims' families and injured employees. Immediate Aftermath of the Bombings The twelve Americans who were killed in the bombing of Embassy Nairobi were honored at a ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base. The U.S. Government provided travel and accommodations for family members so that they could be present at the arrival of their loved ones at Andrews and for the ceremony there honoring the U.S. personnel who died in the service of their country. President Clinton, Secretary Albright, Secretary of Defense Cohen and other officials attended that ceremony. The Department of State and other involved agencies provided the family of each deceased victim and each injured employee with a point of contact. These individuals, along with other staff members, informed the families and injured employees of the various types of available assistance and benefits, including benefits under the Federal Employees Compensation Act and the Foreign Service Act of 1980. A short time after the bombings, a memorial service was held at the National Cathedral in Washington to honor the deceased. This service was attended by family members, President Clinton, Secretary Albright, and other senior government officials. Those injured in the bombings were given the most immediate medical attention possible. When necessary, injured USG personnel were medically evacuated to medical facilities in Europe or the U.S. in order to obtain the best possible treatment for them. The U.S. Government has made every effort in the aftermath of the bombings to ensure that injured USG personnel obtain needed medical treatment. The Government has also covered related expenses, such as travel costs to medical treatment facilities, where necessary. Long-term health care has been provided to injured employees who continue to need it. Kenyan and Tanzanian employees of the U.S. Government, including contractors, have received the same level of high-quality medical care--both short-term and ongoing--as their American colleagues. Some were evacuated to Europe or the U.S. with family members, and those who still require medical assistance are continuing to receive it. Follow-up Efforts In May 1999, the Department of State together with the Office of Victims of Crime of the Department of Justice held a three-day meeting for American employees injured in the bombings and family members of injured or deceased Americans. During the sessions, employees and family members met with senior officials of various government agencies including the Department of State, Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, Department of Labor, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, and others. In this meeting, family members and survivors discussed issues regarding benefits, long-term care, concerns about overseas security, the status of the criminal investigation of the bombings, and comments about the performance of the USG in handling the crisis. The meeting allowed survivors and families to express their concerns directly to USG officials, and the meeting also gave affected families an opportunity to come together with other families who had suffered similar losses and difficulties. Admiral William J. Crowe, Jr., the Chairman of the Accountability Review Boards established to review the circumstances surrounding the East Africa bombings, recommended that the Department establish a special office dedicated to helping family members of victims of such tragedies. In response to that recommendation, the Department of State is establishing a new office, called the Office of Casualty Assistance. After completion of Congressional reprogramming requirements, this permanent office will respond to employees and their families when a crisis occurs and follow up systematically with needed assistance afterwards. This office will provide immediate support in crises such as terrorist attacks involving USG employees and will also focus on responding to the longer-term needs of victims and families. It will identify the programs, benefits, and medical/psychological resources available after such a crisis and will coordinate interagency assistance for victims and families. With a toll-free number and a permanent staff, this office will be the place for victims and family members to call when they have questions or problems. The Department of Justice has convened an interagency task force to help agencies prepare to respond to the needs of USG employees located overseas and their family members in future crises like the bombings. Commemorative events are being planned for the one-year anniversary of the bombings on August 7. All USG personnel injured in the bombings and their families and the family members of all USG personnel killed in the bombings have been invited to attend ceremonies being held in Washington, Kenya and Tanzania. Other commemorative events have been held over the last year to honor the deceased, including the dedication of a memorial plaque now displayed at the Department of State. Some family members of the Americans who were killed traveled to Kenya in February 1999 to attend the dedication of a Memorial Garden. With funding from the Office of Victims of Crime, the U.S. Government provided the travel arrangements and accommodations for that trip. [end of document]
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