AmeriCares to Partner with U.S. State Department to Send Aid to Kyrgyzstan

AmeriCares Foundation
Monday, 4 November 2002

AmeriCares, the international disaster relief agency, announced today that it would airlift approximately 45,500 pounds of medical relief supplies, worth nearly $2.3 million, to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan later this week.

The air transport is being sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and will depart Luxembourg, arriving in Bishkek the following day. AmeriCares is grateful to have the sponsorship of the U.S. State Department, and the support of the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek. In Bishkek, Amy Daniels, AmeriCares project director, and Randy Weiss, AmeriCares account executive, and Dr. Stephen Winter, AmeriCares volunteer physician, will work with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency and the Kyrgyzstan health ministry to arrange for the distribution of the supplies to hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities throughout the country.

Since the breakdown of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kyrgyzstan has been facing the challenge of developing an independent health care system. AmeriCares began its work in Kyrgyzstan in 1994 with two airlifts. 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 million.

"It is with great pride that we continue this successful humanitarian partnership for the benefit of the citizens of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan," says Curt Welling, president and CEO of AmeriCares. "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 health care programs for people around the world, irrespective of race, creed or political orientation. Since its inception in 1982, AmeriCares has delivered more than $2.6 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 our website.

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