Americares To Partner With U.S. Department Of State To Send Humanitarian Aid To Kyrgyzstan

AmeriCares Foundation
Monday, 14 May 2001

67,000 Pounds of Medical Aid to Arrive in Bishkek on Wednesday, May 16, 2001

AmeriCares, the international disaster relief agency, announced today that it would airlift approximately 67,000 pounds of medical relief supplies, worth nearly $4.5 million, to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday, May 16. The airlift will consist of essential antibiotics, analgesics, nutritional supplements and hospital and surgical supplies.

The air transport is being sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, and will depart Oostende, Belgium on May 15, arriving in Bishkek on Wednesday, May 16. AmeriCares is very grateful to have the sponsorship of the State Department, and the support of the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek. Once in Bishkek, AmeriCares' Project Director, Aimee Gilbert, and AmeriCares volunteer physician, George Terranova, will work with the Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) and the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan to arrange for the distribution of the humanitarian supplies to hospitals, clinics and other established healthcare facilities throughout the country.

Since the breakdown of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kyrgyzstan has been facing the challenge of developing an independent healthcare system. AmeriCares began its work in Kyrgyzstan in 1994 with two airlifts to the Ministry of Health. Since 1996, AmeriCares has worked with ADRA to distribute medicines and medical supplies throughout Kyrgyzstan. AmeriCares has, thus far, participated in four airlifts, and sent numerous sea container shipments to this Central Asian country, delivering approximately 336,000 pounds of essential medicines, medical supplies and vaccines worth nearly $20,000,000.

"It is with great pride that we continue this successful humanitarian partnership for the benefit of the citizens of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan," says Robert C. Macauley, AmeriCares Founder. "This partnership has provided, and will continue to provide, life-saving treatments to those in need."

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. Please help us to continue our relief efforts by sending your cash donations to AmeriCares, 161 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT 06840 or by calling AmeriCares at 1.800.486.HELP or log onto www.americares.org.

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