(SHORELINE, WA. - September 7, 2005) Thanks to the generosity of many in the Pacific Northwest community, and the efforts and activism of Ivory Coast Medical Relief Team (ICMRT), a small local non-profit organization based in Shoreline, WA, a number of hospitals, clinics and foundations in the North of the Ivory Coast will be better equipped to continue aid efforts in this strife torn country. A 20-foot container filled with high quality medicines and supplies
- ICMRT's fourth shipment since civil war broke out in Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) in 2002 - begins distribution this month. Until the war broke out, Ivory Coast has been the most stable and prosperous country in West Africa, producing 40% of the world cocoa. Following the war, which cost the lives of thousands and created a flood of refugees and displaced people, the partition of the country between government held South and rebel-control North continues to undermine health infrastructure, programs and access to basic health care in many areas.
"These are much needed medicines for the many innocent people who are suffering as a result of this conflict," says Patrice Adjibly, President of ICMRT, who just returned from Côte d'Ivoire last week. "The need for these life-saving medicines is still enormous, especially in the north."
ICMRT is a small, 501.c(3), volunteer organization that, in just 28 months, has:
- Distributed 3 containers of medicine and supplies, valued at more than $2,000,000.
- Served more than 60 refugee camps and medical facilities
- Helped provide care to more than 600,000 refugees and Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP's)
- Strengthened and promoted healthy communities by donations to Teaching hospitals
ICMRT (www.icmrt.org) is organizing a community fundraiser on September 17 at Shoreline Conference Center to raise funds for additional container shipments and further its goals to provide anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs to HIV/AIDS infected pregnant mothers and others in rural areas of the Ivory Coast through community health care programs. Currently there are over 84,000 children under age 15 living with AIDS, a leading cause of death among adults 15-49.
The current container shipment, valued at $3, 000, 000 in medicines, will go a long way to alleviate the suffering of the people, especially in Rebel-controlled North, who owe their basic health care to non-profit groups. ICMRT is committed to helping rebuild and expand the community health care system and focus international attention on the current crisis.
Contact:
Alain Adjorlolo, Secretary and Spokesperson
Ivory Coast Medical Relief Team (ICMRT)
(206) 364-3588 adjor@gte.net
To make a financial gift call (206) 622-0549 or mail gifts to:
Ivory Coast Medical Relief Team,
14817 Linden Ave. North
Shoreline, WA 98133-6514