AmeriCares Passes $7 Billion Mark in Aid Distributed

The Relief Group also Renews Commitment to Darfur

Stamford, CT, October 15, 2007 – AmeriCares, the nonprofit international relief organization, has delivered more than $7 billion in aid to people in need around the world over the last 25 years.

AmeriCares President and CEO Curt Welling announced the milestone at the organization’s annual fundraiser, the AmeriCares Airlift Benefit, which was held at Westchester County Airport on Saturday. 

“I am very proud to tell you tonight that thanks to Bob and Leila Macauley’s vision 25 years ago, AmeriCares has now delivered more than $7 billion in cumulative aid to people living under some of the most difficult conditions in many of the worlds hardest to reach places,” Welling said.

The medicines, medical supplies and aid that AmeriCares provides have improved the lives of people in crisis in 137 countries, whether they are living in times of epic disaster or daily struggle.  AmeriCares is able to deliver this aid by acting as the bridge between manufacturers who donate the medicines and medical supplies and health care workers on the ground in the local communities they serve.  

The fundraiser, which was attended by more than 650 guests, featured guest speaker, CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

Welling also announced at the event that AmeriCares was continuing its commitment to deliver much-needed aid to the people affected by the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.  Since 2004, AmeriCares has sent nine emergency airlifts with more than 150 tons of medicines and medical supplies worth $2.3 million to its partners on the ground in North, South and West Darfur.   The organization is arranging additional airlifts to all three states to deliver more vital medicines to treat the millions of people displaced by the conflict. 

Welling traveled on the organization’s first airlift into Darfur in 2004 and commented at that time on how dire the need was for medicines.

AmeriCares VP of International Programs Christoph Gorder recently traveled to Darfur to assess the needs of those living at the refugee camps that receive AmeriCares donations and reports that the camps rely heavily on AmeriCares aid.

“We found that virtually all of the prescriptions being written at the clinics were filled with medicines donated by AmeriCares,” Gorder says.  “Our aid has been essential for treating people in the camps and they desperately need more.”

Both Curt Welling and Christoph Gorder are available for additional comment.