HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN SRI LANKA
CIVILIANS CONTINUE TO PAY THE ULTIMATE PRICE

Operation USA is calling for donations to provide critical aid to civilians left vulnerable in Sri Lanka due to intensified fighting between the Sri Lankan Security Forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) over the past several months. As the military campaign reaches its conclusion, a further exodus of civilians who had been trapped inside the conflict zone will add to the escalating humanitarian crisis.

Since January of 2009, hundreds of thousands of civilians have been left displaced by this conflict. The UN estimates that this recent fighting has caused over 7,000 civilian deaths as of January, with over 12,000 injured. Rights groups and UN officials have called the refugee camps in the ‘safe zone’ little more than internment camps where over 250,000 civilians are currently living without adequate food and water or access to medical care.

The movement of these civilians has been heavily restricted, and most families have been disconnected from loved ones. Thousands of internally displaced people coming out of the conflict zone have been arrested for suspected terrorist “Tiger sympathies,” based on their ethnicity alone.

Operation USA continues to remain concerned about the plight of the civilian population in Sri Lanka—and appeals for funds to support the grassroots relief initiatives conducted by our local partners.

Every donation makes a difference.
Please help us continue to provide critical aid to Sri Lanka.
Donate now

Sichuan, China Earthquake. One year later...

Operation USA's Richard Walden reflects on the relief effort.

OPERATION USA IN THE MEDIA

As the situation in Sri Lanka has continued to escalate, Nimmi Gowrinathan, Operation USA’s South Asia Programs Director, has been an active advocate on behalf of the of the civilian communities at risk, both in the media and policy circles, calling for an immediate ceasefire, implementation of the International “Responsibility to Protect” and increased humanitarian access to all civilians.

Tune in!
NPR’s The Story, airs May 13
www.thestory.org

UN Security Council media briefing:
Webcast Archives (April 22)
http://www.un.org/webcast/2009.html

VBS.tv series:
Sri Lanka: Caught in the Crossfire
http://www.vbs.tv/shows.php?show=20025151001

Every donation makes a difference.
Please help us continue to provide critical aid to Sri Lanka.
Donate now

OPERATION USA READIES SWINE FLU PREVENTION AID

In response to an emergency request from the National Association of Community Health Centers for protective equipment and supplies, Operation USA has sent 3,000 N-95 biohazard masks to the Texas Association of Community Health Centers. Materials are being readied for community clinics in San Diego and Los Angeles counties. The 30 year-old relief agency maintains a large storage warehouse in the Port of Los Angeles in Wilmington, CA. with a current supply of 1 million latex exam and surgical gloves, thousands of masks and a range of emergency supplies.

The supplies, including N-95 biohazard masks, latex gloves and cleaning materials will be distributed among community-based clinics for free distribution in the event the outbreak spreads. Preparedness can mitigate the effects of Swine Flu, hence the shipment of masks, soap and other flu prevention paraphernalia.

We are working with long-term health care partners in Mexico and at the California-Mexico border to assess their needs for material assistance so they can curb the spread of the Swine Flu at its apparent source.

Help us provide necessary aid to help prevent the spread of Swine Flu, donate today.

For more information on our rapid response, read press release (April 28) here.

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Read CEO Richard Walden's latest blog entry at The Huffington Post:
"Swine Flu Outbreak Precautions Begin"

NEWS RELEASE: OPERATION USA Joins Forces With Actress/Author Mia Kirshner and Author J.B. MacKinnon to Debut "I LIVE HERE" Literacy Project in Malawi

Read Press Release

Learn More About "I Live Here"

*Please Note: The event scheduled for April 22 has been rescheduled. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive further information.

America's Largest Charity Evaluator, Charity Navigator, Rates Operation USA #1 on Top Ten List of Privately Funded Charities

Operation USA is honored to be rated #1 on Charity Navigator's Top 10 list of privately funded charities. Click Here for Charity Navigator's Top Ten List.

Our work covers a vast range of US and international disasters, women's and children's programs, and "SMART AID" economic development projects in the world's poorest communities. Operation USA is an effective and powerful relief agency, helping millions of people recover after disasters.

Making the right choice among charities is critically important in a time of economic chaos.