**Thanks to Generous Americans, AmeriCares Fundraising Meets Projected Need**
STAMFORD, Conn., March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- AmeriCares, the global
humanitarian relief agency, announced today that it has raised sufficient
funds to meet its immediate and long term plans to assist in the relief and
rehabilitation of tsunami-affected countries in south Asia.
To date, AmeriCares has received approximately $40 million in donations
from individuals, community groups, corporations and foundations. Due to
this generous response, effective March 31, 2005, AmeriCares will no longer
accept donations to its dedicated Tsunami Relief Fund. This decision was made
on the basis of donations received and with the expectation that pledges made
to the Tsunami Relief Fund will be fulfilled, including special events and
corporate / employee matching programs.
In the immediate aftermath of the tsunami, AmeriCares delivered seven
airlifts, carrying 160 tons of medicine, emergency supplies and water
purification treatments, worth $12 million to Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India.
Now as relief efforts shift from rescue to on-going help for the survivors,
AmeriCares is focused on the long-term needs in these countries.
"Three months ago the power of the tsunami transformed the landscape of
many Asian countries and Americans responded," says Curt Welling, AmeriCares
President and CEO. "We are honored and grateful for the support and trust of
the American people. Thanks to the compassion of so many, AmeriCares is well
positioned to play a significant role in helping those impacted by the tsunami
to rebuild their lives.
"As AmeriCares responded to the tsunami disaster, we were ever mindful of
the humanitarian needs in other parts of the world. During this time we
continued our relief work in over 40 countries around the world and responded
to natural and manmade emergencies in Sudan, Afghanistan, Uganda and El
Salvador. Our commitment to help people wherever and whenever is unwavering.
For this work we are grateful for the generosity of our donors as they partner
with us in supporting those who need our help so desperately."
AmeriCares will continue to publish information about the humanitarian
work made possible by the generous support of the American people. For more
information about AmeriCares efforts in the tsunami region, log onto
http://www.americares.org.
AmeriCares is a nonprofit humanitarian aid and disaster relief
organization that supports long-term medical assistance programs and provides
emergency relief in the U.S. and around the world. In the U.S., AmeriCares
provides basic medical services for the uninsured, refurbishes the homes of
the physically and financially disadvantaged and gives a summer camping
experience to inner-city children affected by HIV/AIDS. Since it was
established in 1982, AmeriCares has distributed more than $4 billion in
humanitarian aid to 137 countries. For more information, visit AmeriCares web
site at http://www.americares.org or call 1-800-486-HELP.
CONTACT:
AMERICARES
Beth Walsh: 203-658-9578
Ashley Cross: 203-658-9579
http://www.americares.org
SOURCE AmeriCares
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Related links:
http://www.americares.org
CONTACT:
Beth Walsh, +1-203-658-9578, or Ashley Cross,
+1-203-658-9579, both of AmeriCares
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