American Jewish Committee Launches Campaign For Kosovo Refugees With $25,000 Donation

American Jewish Committee
Wednesday, 31 March 1999

The American Jewish Committee today contributed $25,000 to the international relief effort for Kosovo refugees.

"We cannot sit silently while a human tragedy unfolds in Kosovo," said AJC President Bruce M. Ramer.

A $25,000 check was delivered to the International Rescue Committee which is operating on the ground to help victims of Yugoslav violence.

"We are pleased to help," said Ramer, "but profoundly saddened that yet again in this bloodstained century unimaginable brutality and suffering are being inflicted on innocent civilians."

Today's contribution marked the launching of a nationwide effort by the American Jewish Committee through its 32 chapters to raise funds for the rapidly growing numbers of refugees fleeing from Yugoslavia's armed forces.

This initiative is the latest in a long line of American Jewish Committee humanitarian efforts.

Most recently, the AJC donated nearly $50,000 to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee for relief efforts in Central America following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Mitch.

AJC relief efforts also have included support for Kurdish refugees in Turkey after the 1991 Persian Gulf War, for the rebuilding of black churches in the United States damaged during a wave of arson attacks, and for the Argentine Jewish community after the 1994 bombing of the Jewish community's headquarters. In addition, the AJC has conducted several campaigns to support famine relief in sub-Saharan Africa.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org