24 April 1998
TEXT: AMERICARES ANNOUNCES AIRLIFT OF MEDICAL AID TO IRAQ
(Supplies will be distributed to 20 medical facilities) (870) Washington -- AmeriCares, a private relief organization, announced on April 22 that it was flying 90,000 pounds of medical supplies to Iraq on April 24 from John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. This non-governmental effort is the largest humanitarian mission to date to Iraq and these supplies will be distributed to 20 medical facilities around the country. AmeriCares will begin an "American people to Iraqi people" series of three airlifts to get medicines and medical supplies directly to people throughout Iraq, especially children, who have been suffering from severe medical and food shortages, according to a press release issued by the organization. Upon arriving in Baghdad, AmeriCares will work with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to deliver the materials, the release said. Following is the text of the AmeriCares release: (Begin text) For Immediate Release April 22, 1998 AMERICARES TO AIRLIFT 90,000 POUNDS OF MEDICAL AID TO PEOPLE OF IRAQ NEW YORK -- AmeriCares, the international disaster relief organization, announced today it will depart April 24 for Baghdad with nearly 90,000 pounds of medicines and medical supplies for the Iraqi people. AmeriCares will begin an "American people to Iraqi people" series of three airlifts to get medicines and medical supplies directly to people throughout Iraq, especially children, who have been suffering from severe medical and food shortages. "It has been clear for some time that the American people care about the Iraqi people. AmeriCares is privileged to be acting on behalf of the people of the United States in providing a helping hand to ease some of the suffering of individuals throughout Iraq," said Robert C. Macauley, founder and chairman of AmeriCares. AmeriCares worked with the Clinton administration since late 1997 to get approval for this humanitarian effort. The airlifts have received the endorsement and encouragement of the Clinton Administration. In a letter to AmeriCares founder and chairman Robert C. Macauley, Eric P. Schwartz, Special Assistant to the President and Director for Democracy, Human Rights, and Humanitarian Affairs of the National Security Council, wrote: "On behalf of the Administration, allow me to express appreciation to you and the entire AmeriCares organization for your efforts in organizing this important mission." In making the arrangements to provide the relief shipment, AmeriCares required the Iraqi government to agree to three conditions. First, all medicines and medical supplies can only be used for the civilian population severely impacted by shortages. Second, there can be no use by the military of any part of the shipment. Third, AmeriCares personnel must accompany the materials all the way to their point of use. "AmeriCares is designed to relieve suffering. It helps people everywhere, no matter what their race, creed or political persuasion. When people hurt, AmeriCares is there. It's the American way," said Macauley. AmeriCares will dispatch nearly 90,000 pounds aboard a cargo plane for Baghdad, along with a special AmeriCares Team. The AmeriCares Team will include Andrew L. Hannah and Guy L. Smith, AmeriCares vice chairmen. Actor and AmeriCares volunteer Val Kilmer, Dr. Stephen Winter of Yale University School of Medicine and Norwalk Hospital, a member of AmeriCares' medical advisory committee, and AmeriCares staff members John Connell and Mary Harrison also will be members of the AmeriCares team. The AmeriCares team will fly out of John F. Kennedy International Airport, in New York City, aboard an Emery Air Freight DC-8. After an intermediate stop in Amsterdam for additional medical supplies, it will continue to Amman, Jordan. From Amman, the Jordanian Air Force will assist AmeriCares in transporting the medicines from Jordan to Baghdad. AmeriCares has worked since late 1997 gathering donated medicines and medical supplies form major U.S. pharmaceutical companies for the series of airlifts. The AmeriCares team will deliver the medicines and medical supplies, comprised of antibiotics, painkillers, basic surgical materials, various hospital supplies, pediatric and maternity supplies, as well as nutritional supplements to hospitals and clinics in Iraq. Upon arriving in Baghdad, Americares will work with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies to deliver the materials. "Today is a day to extend a hand of friendship to the people of Iraq. And now that the threat of hostilities has been reduced, there is no better time to create a human bridge between individual Americans and individual Iraqi citizens. Individuals everywhere can make a positive difference and it is our hope that AmeriCares' actions over the next several months will open up communication and understanding between citizens of both countries," said Mr. Macauley. AmeriCares is the private, not-for-profit disaster and humanitarian relief organization based in New Canaan, CT. Active at home and in more than 110 countries around the world, AmeriCares has delivered more than $1.7 billion worth of donated medicine and relief supplies since its founding in 1981. -- This release has been distributed by Campus Release Network, LLC, Norwalk, CT. For problems with delivery, please contact us at (203)846-2811. For questions about the release content, please refer to the contact information above. (End text)
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