Press Release
LOCAL AID HEADS TOWARD WAR-TORN IVORY COAST
(BELLEVUE, WASH. – February 7, 2003)
|
|
As the U.N. calls for the evacuation of
foreigners in the Ivory Coast, Northwest Medical Teams is preparing to
ship its first container of critically needed medical supplies to the
small, embattled West African country.
Partnering with the Ivory Coast Medical
Relief Team, Northwest Medical Teams hopes to send 10 containers
worth more than $5 million during the next 12 months. The first
one, valued at $600,000, is slated for departure from Northwest Medical
Teams’ headquarters on Feb. 17.
Patrice Adjibly, an Ivorian who heads up the Washington-based relief
team and now lives in Shoreline, Washington, will return to his native
country next week Adjibly, whose family still lives in the
war-torn region, will work with in-country organizations to oversee
distribution of the supplies. “The need is so great for these life-saving |
|
medicines,” says Adjibly. “Many innocent people are suffering because of the violence and fighting. The conflict has resulted in the starvation and death of thousands. It will be a long road to recovery. ” |
|
The 40-foot container will include syringes, bandages, antibiotics, respiratory medications and IV start-up catheters. It should arrive in the Ivory Coast in late March. It costs about $6,000 to ship each container. The Ivory Coast Medical Relief Fund is helping to cover the costs of shipping and distribution.
Contributions can be made to the
Ivory Coast Medical Relief Fund/Northwest Medical Teams
at any Bank of America branch.
Since 1979, Northwest Medical Teams has
sent
more than 1,000 volunteer teams to help victims of war, natural
disasters and famine in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Eastern
Europe and the former Soviet Union. More than $400 million in
humanitarian aid has been shipped to developing countries. Nine
Mobile Dental Clinic units serve thousands of homeless and low-income
families in the Pacific Northwest.