OPERATION USA TO SEND EMERGENCY MEDICAL AID TO HAITI FOLLOWING EARTHQUAKE
LARGEST QUAKE IN AREA'S HISTORY BRINGS DEVASTATION TO CAPITAL PORT-AU-PRINCE; MAJOR HOSPITAL HAS COLLAPSED IN PETITIONVILLE
LOS ANGELES, CA (January 12, 2010)-Los Angeles-based International relief agency Operation USA announced today that it will send medical aid to Haiti as part of the relief efforts following the two earthquakes that hit today. The main earthquake is reported at a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 and was centered about 14 miles west from the capital of Port-au-Prince. Initial reports confirm that a hospital has collapsed after the first quake. A 5.9 magnitude quake followed.
Operation USA is appealing for donations of funds from the public and corporate donations in bulk of health care materials, water purification supplies and food supplements which it will ship to the region from its base in the Port of Los Angeles.? ?
HOW TO HELP:
Donate online at www.opusa.org, by phone at 1.800.678.7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232. ???
About Operation USA?
Operation USA is an international relief agency that helps communities at home and abroad overcome the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid. Since 1979, the Los Angeles-based Operation USA has worked in 99 countries, delivering over $350 million for relief and development projects. ?
Haiti ranks as one of the least developed countries in the world and is the poorest in the western hemisphere. According to the World Food Program more than half of the population lives on less than $1 per day and chronic malnutrition is widespread. The series of storms in 2008 paired with a 50% rise in food costs exacerbated the already dire circumstance, leaving many impoverished Haitians without access to basic food and nutrition. Malnutrition remains at crisis level for those most vulnerable, especially children.
Operation USA has worked in Haiti with local partners-with intensified efforts and dedicated programs in place following the 2008 storms. Operation USA is currently partnering with local Haitian NGO L'Athletique d'Haiti, and supports their food program which serves children from some of the most destitute areas of Port au Prince and surrounding provinces.
Learn more and make secure donations at www.opusa.org.
Media Contact:
Alison Deknatel, Director of Communications,
Operation USA
310.838.3455 or adeknatel@opusa.org?