The largest project to be undertaken is the rebuilding of the public school, Ecole Nationale Jacob Martin Henriquez. The nine-building school complex will provide a new educational home and free daily meal to more than 400 local children in grades K through 7.

Operation USA has partnered with Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the philanthropic organization of Honeywell Corporation, to reconstruct this primary school that will serve students who couldn’t otherwise afford to go to school. This project was built in cooperation with the City of Jacmel, with the support of its exceptional Mayor (now Senator), Edwin Zenny—a nationally known anti-corruption figure and committed activist for Jacmel’s future.

The school—designed pro bono by global planning firm Gensler, with structural engineering services provided by seismic experts Miyamoto International—was built using contemporary, sustainable building methods and was designed to withstand any potential future earthquakes. The school’s construction process was used to train local builders in modern earthquake-resistant construction and environmentally-conscious techniques that can save Haiti both money and natural resources in the years to come. Operation USA will establish a scholarship fund to help cover the cost of books, uniforms and other student expenses.

UPDATE: MARCH 2011
Construction nears completion! Inauguration ceremonies were held on March 11, which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony with both Operation USA and Honeywell’s CEOs in attendance.

UPDATE: OCTOBER 10, 2011
The first day of school is here! The brand new campus proudly welcomes its first students today.

Press Releases
Gensler Donates Design for Haiti School
Operation USA and Honeywell Break Ground on New School in Jacmel, Haiti

Operation USA began working with the Port-au-Prince based NGO L’Athletique d’Haiti following the hurricanes that hit the Caribbean in the fall of 2008. The series of storms paired with a 50% rise in food costs exacerbated the already dire circumstance, leaving many impoverished Haitians without access to basic food and nutrition. Malnutrition was at crisis level for those most vulnerable, especially children.

L’Athletique d’Haiti (LADH) is an after-school sports program that serves children from ages 6 to 17 in Cité Soleil and Bel Air, the poorest slums in Port-au-Prince. In a country where soccer is a national obsession, the lack of sports programs deprives young people of the opportunity to acquire self esteem, discipline and dedication—the skills developed through playing sports. The program additionally offers a nutritious daily meal and transportation to its participants.

To address the increased demand created by the hurricanes, Operation USA contributed to the funding of a new cafeteria for the facility. Additionally, OpUSA provided LADH with a grant to support their food program which serves children from some of the most destitute areas of Port-au-Prince and surrounding provinces.

In the wake of the January 2010 earthquake, the needs grew…

PROJECT UPDATE:

The facilities at L’Athletique d’Haiti sustained some damage in the earthquake–however, a large number of the children and families the program supported suffered tremendously. Many of those who survived lost their homes.

The two soccer fields at LADH housed as many as 500 families, sheltered in self-made or donated tents. They were provided food and water, alongside medical care. Under the guidance of LADH’s inspiring founder Boby Duval, massive food distributions were undertaken for those living on site.

Operation USA is currently working with LADH to address both current and long-term needs. LADH has expanded its sports offerings beyond soccer—and now boxing, basketball and track are also offered. Engaging the kids in a safe environment, LADH continues to strive to keep the youth away from drugs and gangs in Cite Soleil. LADH continues to provide one meal a day to each child—and is in the process of adding an on-site organic garden, hen houses and compost program to be more sustainable and provide better support this effort.

From Boby Duval, LADH:

“A group of young women organized by L’Athletique D’Haiti beat overwhelming odds to win the Women’s Plate in Paris.  First, the team almost did not make it to the tournament for which they had been training for for a year.  They were delayed by four days in their arrival to the 2011 Homeless World Cup in Paris because their airline, Air Caribe, prevented the entire team from leaving on their scheduled flight, claiming that four of the girls did not look like their passport photos.  Then, Air Caribe refused to rebook the team for four days, by which time the tournament and opening ceremonies had already started.

The girls stepped off the plane on Monday and immediately played their first match against Uragay.  After beating Uraguay in their first match, the goalkeeper broke her arm and had to be replaced by one of her team mates.  All this was disheartening, but through it all, the girls maintained an indominable spirit and tremendous optimism.  In the end, the Haiti team beat France 10:2 to win the Homeless World Plate, one of the top prizes. 

Tonight the entire team is back safely in Haiti and it was a very moving experience for me to greet them at the airport in Port au Prince. I am so proud of Haiti and her strong young women, who, despite being homeless and at risk, travelled all the way to Paris to proudly represent Haiti. They were winners the minute they were finally able to board the flight to Paris, but winning the Homeless Cup Silver Plate against tough competition such as France was a humbling joyful experience for all of us.”

Please visit the links below for more information and entire video of the winning match:

Homelessworldcup.org

http://www.homelessworldcup.org/paris-2011/fixtures-and-results/28.08.2011/haiti-conquer-hosts-to-claim-womens-plate

Congratulations to these brave young women!
Team Haiti 2011 Homeless World Cup Women’s Squad

Wideline Conin
Santia Roselene Hypolite
Marjorie Pierre
Amanda Pierre-Louis
Jemina Pierre
Nuela Antenor
Modelene Etienne
Jesula Leone

Watching the storm’s progress–and hoping for the best…
Stay safe,
Richard Walden
President & CEO

Support our work:
Donate online; by phone at 800-678-7255; make a $10 donation by texting AID to 50555

Stay up to date with news and updates:
opusa.org

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@operationusa on Twitter

Boeing, RwandAir and Operation USA partner to deliver 1,500 school books

SEATTLE, Aug. 25, 2011– Boeing today delivered a Next-Generation 737 with the new Boeing Sky Interior to RwandAir, making it the first African carrier to own and operate Boeing’s innovative interior. The delivery also is the first direct-purchase 737 in RwandAir’s fleet. “This new interior will set RwandAir apart from our competition by bringing a new, unmatched flying experience to our valued customers,” said John Mirenge, CEO of RwandAir.

The Boeing Sky Interior introduces new cove lighting and curving architecture that create a distinctive entry way. Passengers will enjoy a more open cabin and a soft blue sky overhead simulated by light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. The new interior also brings new, modern, sculpted sidewalls and window reveals to draw passengers’ eyes to the view outside the window.

“Today is a proud day for RwandAir as well as the country of Rwanda,” said Dr. Alex Nzahabwanimana, Minister of Transport for Rwanda. “Being the first airline on the African continent with the Boeing Sky Interior certainly puts Rwanda at the forefront of the aviation industry in Africa today and beyond.”

As part of Boeing’s Humanitarian Delivery Flights program, Boeing partnered with RwandAir and Operation USA on this delivery flight to deliver 1,500 science and other educational books to the Rotary Club of Kigali. The science books will be accepted by Rwanda’s Ministry of Education and distributed to high schools and universities throughout the country. The remaining books will be distributed to the Kigali Public Library – Rwanda’s first public library.

Operation USA is an international relief agency that helps communities around the globe overcome the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty. Since 1979, the organization has been providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid by working with grass-roots partners to provide material and financial assistance necessary in the face of a disaster as well as to combat the effects of systemic poverty.

Operating from Kigali as its hub, RwandAir’s fleet includes two Boeing 737-500s, two CRJ200s and a Dash8-200. “With this new airplane, RwandAir will provide our passengers with unmatched reliability and the most unique flying experience in the sky today,” said Mirenge. “We are confident our customers will look back on their flight with enthusiasm and excitement for their next flight.”

###

Contact:
Adam Morgan
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
+1 281-386-4396
adam.k.morgan@boeing.com

Michael Otieno
RwandAir
+250 788 308 761
michael.otieno@rwandair.com

Alison Deknatel
Operation USA
+1 323-413-2353
adeknatel@opusa.org

JULIE ANDREWS, OPERATION USA FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER APPEALS FOR SUPPORT FOR EAST AFRICAN DROUGHT & FAMINE VICTIMS

LOS ANGELES, CA (August 15, 2011)— A message from Julie Andrews, Operation USA Founding Board Member:

“Like many of you, I’ve been watching the developing story of yet another famine in East Africa. The images of mothers walking across a hundred miles of desert with their emaciated children is haunting.

I was privileged to be part of a massive relief effort in the mid-1980s which focused on Ethiopia and 7 neighboring countries. Millions of lives were at risk; but millions were saved by timely shipments of essential aid and a global commitment to help those in need.

I hope you’ll join us at Operation USA as we do our part once again.”

HOW TO HELP: 

Donate now

Text AID to 50555 and donate $10 to Operation USA’s disaster relief efforts.

Donations can also be made by phone at 1.800.678.7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 7421 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036.

Corporate donations of bulk quantities of disaster-appropriate supplies are also being requested. Air miles can also be donated to Operation USA through United Airlines Charity Miles program at www.united.com.

About Operation USA
Operation USA is working to send emergency aid to East Africa as part of relief efforts responding to the worst drought to hit the region in 60 years. The UN has officially declared famine in parts of southern Somalia—regions of Lower Shabelle and southern Bakool. It is predicted that the entire South of Somalia will face famine within the next two months. Operation USA is working to assess unmet needs on the ground, with its initial response focusing on water resource needs in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camps. The Dadaab camps are reported to receive as many as 1,300 refugees a day, the majority fleeing war-torn Somalia. The world’s largest such site, these camps house almost 400,000 displaced people in three camps originally designated for 90,000. Operation USA first worked in Somalia in 1980, and was particularly active in response to the famine in East Africa from 1984-85.



Media Contact: 

Alison Deknatel
Director, Communications

323.413.2353
adeknatel@opusa.org


Richard Walden
President & CEO
Operation USA
323.413.2353
rwalden@opusa.org

Other countries in the Horn of Africa are being severely affected by drought. Successive seasons of failed rains—combined with increasing food prices, conflict and limited humanitarian access—have resulted in food and water shortages, acute malnutrition and mass displacement throughout the region. The lack of rain has also contributed to massive livestock deaths undermining the livelihoods of those who depend on them for economic and food security. Estimates are that there are at least 1.5 million displaced people—and 10 million people in need of immediate food assistance as a result of this crisis.

Operation USA is currently focusing on providing safe (e.g., purified) water to the camp in Dadaab. Local partners including Oxfam America and Africa Humanitarian Action, an Ethiopia-based Pan-African NGO.

Operation USA has numerous ongoing projects in Africa–with its initial aid effort dating from 1980 in Somalia. The 1984-86 East African famine was one of Operation USA’s largest relief efforts. Current projects in Rwanda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Sierra Leone encompass maternal and child health, mental health, literacy and community development.

The very weak global response to what is now 12 million drought-affected people in a half-dozen East African countries requires us to ask you to dig deeper than you already have… Every donation—large or small—makes an impact.

The images we’ve all seen—mothers leaving dying children behind them as they walk out of Somalia to try to save their remaining children—are haunting and so reminiscent of the 1984 East African Famine which produced such a massive response from the public. Operation USA, then known as Operation California, flew the very first Boeing 747 cargo jet into Ethiopia carrying 120 tons of emergency aid in 1985—and we’ve been helping Ethiopians ever since. Somalia, in 1980, was the very first African country where we worked…so we’re not new to the cycles of war and famine which have afflicted that part of Africa.

I want you to know that we take on these new responsibilities without abandoning our very important work here at home—in Joplin, MO, Tuscaloosa, AL, New Orleans, LA and throughout California. Americans are hurting from both natural disasters like the midwest tornados and Hurricane Katrina; and, from manmade disasters like an economy in free fall which, too, has displaced people from their homes, their jobs, their health insurance. It’s not an either/or situation but it does depend on all of us pitching in where we can.

Your support is always appreciated.
With thanks,

Richard Walden
President & CEO
Operation USA

Support our vital work in Africa and beyond:
Donate Now

*Photo Reuters/Feisal Omar, courtesy Trust.org-AlertNet.

OPERATION USA TO AID DROUGHT RELIEF EFFORTS IN EAST AFRICA

FAMINE CONDITIONS DECLARED BY UN

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 21, 2011)—Los Angeles-based International relief agency Operation USA announced today that it will send emergency aid to East Africa as part of relief efforts responding to the worst drought to hit the region in 60 years. The UN has officially declared famine in parts of southern Somalia—regions of Lower Shabelle and southern Bakool. It is predicted that the entire south of Somalia will face famine within the next two months. Operation USA is working to assess unmet needs on the ground, with its initial response focusing on water resource needs in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camps. The Dadaab camps are reported to receive as many as 1,300 refugees a day, the majority fleeing war-torn Somalia. The world’s largest such site, these camps house almost 400,000 displaced people in three camps originally designated for 90,000.

Other countries in the Horn of Africa are being severely affected by drought. Successive seasons of failed rains—combined with increasing food prices, conflict and limited humanitarian access—have resulted in food and water shortages, acute malnutrition and mass displacement throughout the region. The lack of rain has also contributed to massive livestock deaths undermining the livelihoods of those who depend on them for economic and food security. Estimates are that there are at least 1.5 million displaced people—and 10 million people in need of immediate food assistance as a result of this crisis.

Operation USA has numerous ongoing projects in Africa–with its initial aid effort dating from 1980 in Somalia. The 1984-86 East African famine was one of Operation USA’s largest relief efforts. Current projects in Rwanda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Sierra Leone encompass maternal and child health, mental health, literacy and community development.

HOW TO HELP: 
Donate online at www.opusa.org, by phone at 1.800.678.7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 7421 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036.

Text AID to 50555 and donate $10 to Operation USA’s disaster relief efforts. Corporate donations of bulk quantities of disaster-appropriate supplies are also being requested. Air miles can also be donated to Operation USA through United Airlines Charity Miles program at www.united.com.



Media Contact:

Alison Deknatel
Director, Communications

323.413.2353 or adeknatel@opusa.org


Richard Walden
President & CEO
323.413.2353 or rwalden@opusa.org

MATERIAL AID SHIPMENTS: 2011

From antibiotics to vitamin A, water purifications tablets to surgical packs—Operation USA has been delivering material aid in the form of donated medical supplies and equipment, medicines and vitamins, education and shelter materials to people in need from its earliest days forward.

A cornerstone of our work, Operation USA is proud of our ongoing program that brings vital aid to people across the globe. In 2010, we made 178 shipments to over 20 countries.

2011 continues to see a wide variety of needs being met around the world.
Our most recent shipments include:

JAPAN: Earthquake and Tsunami relief shipment sent shelter supplies including hand-crank radios and flashlights, alongside shelter structures.

PHILIPPINES: Millions in injectable antibiotics and hospital supplies were sent to our long-time hospital partner in Manila.

CAMBODIA: Surgical packs, baby incubators and gurneys were just sent to Sihanouk Hospital in Phnom Penh. A long-time partner, Sihanouk opened its doors in 1996 as a training center for medical professionals while providing 24-hour health care to thousands of medically underserved people at no charge.