The TAMU Assistance Foundation
The storm was more powerful than we anticipated. Blasted through the defenses and had half the island flooded. The clouds had barely parted when we saw them. TAF was everywhere. They had a hospital. Search and rescue. They even refloated the fishing fleet. Then they were gone after about three weeks and the regional government stepped in. We were too small to get official help right away, but TAF was here immediately.
~ Takue Chura, Village Leader of New Miyako
The TAMU Assistance Foundation is an independent, NGO type group that specialize in disaster relief, search and rescue, and reconstruction. Descended from a collection of NGO and UN groups that joined forces in the immediate aftermath of the Great Stellar War, they're broadly seen as a functionally impartial organization that works outside of the regular politics of the system. Their distinctive white and green uniforms and safety gear are universally recognized, as is their dedication to assisting people experiencing the worst days of their lives.
Structure
Surprising to many, the TAMU Assistance Foundation is a paramilitary organization, with some modifications. The foundation itself is led by the TAMU Command Council, a seven member group representing the Tanit system. Below them are the planetary commanders, then the regional commanders, and finally a collection of battalion like organizations that make up the action groups.
Culture
The TAF is a professional organization that takes itself and its tasks seriously. They prize diversity and openness, as it allows for a level of flexibility and adaptability that's a huge advantage in their line of work. There's also a very strong "work hard, play hard" attitude in the larger organization, as they recognize that mental health is as important to maintain as operational readiness.
Public Agenda
In a rare instance of complete honesty, the public agenda is the actual agenda for The TAMU Assistance Foundation. Their goal is to provide timely, effective, and sustainable assistance to people affected by natural disasters, manmade disasters, and war. In their own history documents, groups like the Red Cross/Crescent, Médecins Sans Frontières, and others are listed as their inspirational sources.
Assets
The TAMU Assistance Foundation is well equipped and funded.
Facilities
HQ is on Tanit II, located in New Carthage. Operational bases and depots are scattered across every planet and inhabited moon in the system.Funding
The funding of the TAF comes from a combination of private donations, training fees (they're the largest safety training provider in the system), and through patent licensing. The latter comes largely from discoveries donated to them by the The Kamau Institute and others over the many decades. The process for licensing is carefully vetted and done in such a way as to meet the TAF's needs and potential costs without hitting exploitative levels.Vehicles and Equipment
The TAF is a stellar operation, with a small fleet of vessels capable of interplanetary flight. They also maintain fleets of ground, sea, and air vehicles, with a fondness for hovercraft as they can traverse multiple terrain types. They have stockpiles of medical and rescue equipment, construction gear, and a small armoury of defensive stores for security.History
Formed a decade after the hyperspace gate closed from a hodgepodge of remnant organizations, the TAF swiftly became part of the Tanit System's political ecosystem.
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