Organization Raises Over $850,000
September 10, 1999 - The American
Institute of Philanthropy, a leading charity watchdog group, has announced
that American Jewish World Service (AJWS) rated among the top three charities
offering aid to victims of the recent earthquake. In order to receive a
top rating the group must spend at least 60% of its budget on program services,
and spend no more
than $35 to raise each $100. AJWS has raised over $850,000, and will spend
95% of this money on program services.
Ruth Messinger, President of AJWS, presented Ambassador Mehmet N. Ezen, Consul General of Turkey, a check for $125,000 for emergency relief aid to earthquake victims on August 26. The money went directly to the Turkish Red Crescent Society to support their efforts on the ground to aid the victims. Their activities include addressing the immediate needs of shelter, medicine, water and sanitation facilities.
AJWS in partnership with Direct Relief International has sent three shipments of medical supplies to help survivors. The first sent August 19th, included 3300 pounds of supplies estimated at a wholesale value of over $500,000. The shipment included first aid kits, antibiotics, and trauma-related items such as splints, bandages, and orthopedic supplies.
A second shipment of 3,000 pounds of emergency supplies was flown to Istanbul Social Security Hospital to treat survivors. A third shipment to be sent the week of September 12th will go to the Uludag University Hospital in Bursa. This was the first hospital to receive victims of the quake, and has been going non-stop. They will receive large-scale medical equipment (including tables, ventilators, electrical transformers, blood bags, a wheelchair, orthopedic fracture devices, defibrillators and monitors.)
In addition a $20,000 contribution has been made to Catholic Relief Services in support of their operations on the ground providing shelter, basic food, hygiene commodities and psychosocial counseling through Caritas and the Anatolian Development Foundation.
AJWS is a not-for-profit organization providing non-sectarian humanitarian support, technical assistance and emergency relief to people in need - regardless of race, ethnicity or religion - in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Russia and Ukraine. Founded in 1985, AJWS has supported projects in over 50 countries, representing American Jews as global citizens.
AMERICAN JEWISH WORLD SERVICE
989 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10018 - 800-889-7146