AmeriCares Airlifts Deliver Aid to North and South Darfur

Stamford, CT, March 15 2006 – Two AmeriCares airlifts arrived in North and South Darfur today, delivering nearly 25 tons of essential medicines and relief supplies, following the successful arrival of an AmeriCares airlift of medical aid to West Darfur late last month.

The AmeriCares relief flights that landed in Nyala and Al Fasher carried hundreds of thousands of life-saving medical treatments to combat respiratory and intestinal infections, malaria and other threatening illnesses. These treatments, including antibiotics, malaria test kits and vitamins, will support health facilities and clinics throughout the region serving more than 400,000 internally displaced Sudanese living in relief camps or nearby villages. These relief supplies will be distributed through AmeriCares partner on the ground, International Rescue Committee. Last month’s airlift of medical aid to West Darfur delivered 13 tons of equally urgent medical supplies for distribution to local healthcare facilities that serve approximately 250,000 people.

“As the crisis facing this region deepens, AmeriCares continues its commitment as the primary provider of essential medicines to the Sudanese population most vulnerable during this volatile time,” said Curt Welling, president and CEO of AmeriCares.

Despite prohibitive flight restrictions, AmeriCares successfully delivered a series of airlifts into Sudan in 2005, sending 47 tons of medicines and relief supplies to North, South and West Darfur.

AmeriCares has been responding to the crisis in the region since 2004, when three airlifts totaling 60 tons of aid were sent to Chad, where more than 200,000 displaced Sudanese are living in refugee camps on the border of Sudan. AmeriCares has also donated medical supplies and equipment, including 30 hospital beds, examination tables, operating room tables and lights, vital signs monitors, and a portable defibrillator to equip a hospital facility in Bahai, Chad. This health center provides services for more than 26,400 Sudanese refugees at the Kashuni Camp.

To learn more about AmeriCares relief efforts in Sudan, or to make a contribution to support these efforts, log onto www.americares.org or call 1-800-486-HELP (4357).