AmeriCares to Send Life-Saving Aid to Ethiopia

AmeriCares Foundation
Tuesday, 26 September 2000

The largest medical donation into the Somali region will address desperate healthcare conditions

AmeriCares, the international and national disaster relief organization, announced today that over 72,000 pounds of vital medical supplies will depart Ostende, Belgium on September 28, arriving in Gode, Ethiopia on Friday, September 29. Relief aid will consist of rehydration therapies used to combat the side effects of malaria and dysentery, medication for upper respiratory infections and anti-bacterial agents to prevent the spread of disease. In addition, antivirals, nutritional supplements, iodines, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs and surgical supplies (i.e. sponges, sutures, gauze pads, latex gloves, catheters, syringes) will be airlifted to hospitals and clinics in Gode.

Food shortages, political instability and a weakened economy continue to plague nearly 20 million people in the Horn of Africa. In Ethiopia, more than ten million are at risk of starvation while others are dying from diarrhea and dehydration. Health care services have been unable to secure the resources required to meet the rising needs. The ongoing lack of basic medicines and medical supplies have led to a substandard level of health care, causing thousands to suffer and die needlessly.

"AmeriCares' concern for the people of Ethiopia has been ongoing and deeply felt," says Robert Macauley, Founder and Chairman of AmeriCares. "Both internal strife and a three year drought have turned these pastoral people into a nation of displaced, starving and diseased masses. This airlift of quality medicines and hospital supplies will make significant improvements in the treatment and long-term care of the sick and malnourished."

An AmeriCares disaster relief expert will travel to Ethiopia with medical personnel ahead of the airlift to assess the medical needs and to set up distribution networks. Working with NGOs and indigenous health care providers in Africa, AmeriCares relief supplies will be hand delivered to approximately five hospitals and clinics throughout Gode and the surrounding areas.

For more information, or to contact AmeriCares Foundation, see their website at: www.americares.org