AmeriCares Continues to Airlift Emergency Supplies to Devastated El Salvador with 3rd Airlift

AmeriCares Foundation
Thursday, 25 January 2001

Third Airlift to contain food & emergency disaster supplies departing from Miami today, Thursday, January 25, 2001.

AmeriCares, the international and domestic disaster relief organization, announced that a third airlift will depart today, Thursday, January 25, at 1:30pm from the Miami, Florida airport arriving in San Salvador, El Salvador at approximately 2:30pm local time. The third humanitarian cargo plane will consist of approximately 45,000 pounds of additional humanitarian and medical aid.

Since the onset of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake, AmeriCares has distributed over 162,000 pounds of relief supplies. In addition to meeting the medical needs of the victims with antibiotics, analgesics, nutritional supplements, tents, blankets, towels, new clothing, and other essential emergency medicines, AmeriCares has also focused attention on sheltering and providing basic foodstuffs to the thousands of individuals left homeless. Two hundred fifty tents, water purification units and 40,000 pounds of foodstuffs have been delivered to the affected regions. Medicines, water, and basic personal supplies continue to be among the most needed items.

AmeriCares field personnel are working with local hospitals and clinics to ensure safe, accurate distribution of materials to the thousands of victims from the earthquake and mudslides. The death toll from the January 13th quake is now over 725, with more than 4,400 people injured, hundreds missing and 1.1 million homeless. Nearly 200,000 homes have been either partially or fully destroyed. It is estimated that 40%-50% of the population is currently without portable water.

"AmeriCares went into action immediately after the earthquake struck and we will continue to work around the clock to provide the victims in El Salvador with medical and emergency supplies they so desperately need," said Bob Macauley, Founder and Chairman of AmeriCares. "AmeriCares is grateful to its countless donors and volunteers, who enable us to provide immediate and efficient relief, time and time again."

AmeriCares is the nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, which provides immediate response to emergency medical needs—and supports long-term healthcare programs—for people around the world, irrespective of race, creed or political persuasion. Since its inception in 1982, AmeriCares has delivered over $2.9 billion in aid to 137 nations worldwide.

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