Direct Relief International to Airlift Emergency Aid to India

Direct Relief International
Friday, 16 February 2001

35-Ton, $1.4 million India airlift Next Week is Organization's Largest Ever

SANTA BARBARA, CA (February 16, 2001) - Direct Relief International will airlift to India next week more than 35 tons (71,000 lbs) of medical and relief supplies worth more than $1.4 million, the largest such airlift in the agency's 52-year history.

Next week's India airlift follows a January 31 shipment of emergency aid worth more than $1 million from Direct Relief International. Atlas Air Charter, Inc., which donated a 747 cargo jet for the January shipment, also is donating a 747 for next week's flight. The Atlas aircraft have been donated to the relief effort as a tribute to Atlas founder and CEO, Michael Chowdry, an immigrant to the U.S. from Pakistan who died in a private plane accident on January 24.

"The immediate relief and shelter needs of people in India remain enormous, and we are expending every effort to help," said Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief President and CEO. "Atlas Air's extraordinary generosity in making its aircraft available – which would cost us a half-million dollars – has enabled us to multiply our assistance and help thousands more people whose lives have been shattered."

The airlift to India will contain items specifically requested and approved by Direct Relief's Indian partner organization, the Diwaliben Mehta Charitable Trust. The items include vitamin and nutritional supplements, wheelchairs, orthopedic devices and braces, and certain pain-relief medications and antibiotics. Other U.S. non-profit organizations – Los Angeles-based Operation USA, Oregon-based Mercy Corps, and the Church of Latter Day Saints – also are contributing additional relief and shelter materials, clothing, and blankets that will be channeled through the network of Direct Relief's Indian partner. Direct Relief Program Officer Mike Hayes is in India, coordinating distribution plans for next week's shipment.

For more information, or to contact Direct Relief International, see their website at: www.directrelief.org