FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OPERATION USA TO SEND EMERGENCY MEDICAL AID TO AMERICAN AND WESTERN SAMOA FOLLOWING EARTHQUAKE AND RESULTING TSUNAMI

WAVES AND QUAKE BRING DEVASTATION ACROSS THE ISLANDS; TOTAL LOSS OF LIFE STILL BEING ASSESSED

LOS ANGELES, CA (September 30, 2009)— Los Angeles-based International relief agency Operation USA announced today that it will send medical aid to both American and Western Samoa as part of the relief efforts following the tsunami that hit yesterday. President Obama has declared the situation a major disaster. At least 100 people are believed to have died and many more injured in the Pacific island nation after the powerful deep ocean earthquake and the tsunami waves that followed. Countless people are displaced from their homes with extensive damage to buildings throughout.

The relief group is appealing for donations of funds from the public and corporate donations in bulk of health care materials, water purification supplies and food supplements which it will ship to the region from its base in the Port of Los Angeles.

HOW TO HELP:

Donate online at www.opusa.org, by phone at 1.800.678.7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.

About Operation USA

Operation USA is an international relief agency that helps communities at home and abroad overcome the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid. Since 1979, the Los Angeles-based Operation USA has worked in 99 countries, delivering over $350 million for relief and development projects.

Operation USA continues today to work on long-term projects as a result of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. The agency received over $4 million in donations from private citizens, corporations and foundations. Over $12 million more in products and transportation was also donated. Operation USA’s extensive experience in Asia resulted in quickly mobilizing partners on the ground. Projects were funded in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and India. Operation USA remains an active and dedicated part of the long-term recovery process, and numerous projects continue in a large number of these communities.

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Media Contact:

Alison Deknatel, Director of Communications, Operation USA

310.838.3455 or adeknatel@opusa.org

Richard Walden, President and CEO, Operation USA

310.838.3455 or rwalden@opusa.org

]]> http://www.opusa.org/featured/news-release-operation-usa-to-send-emergency-medical-aid-to-samoa-following-earthquake-and-resulting-tsunami/feed/ 0 -14.2577162 -170.6853943 http://www.opusa.org/projects/indian-ocean-tsunami-disaster-response-an-overview/ http://www.opusa.org/projects/indian-ocean-tsunami-disaster-response-an-overview/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:33:43 +0000 admin http://opusa.org/?p=448 At 8:57am December 26, 2004, a magnitude 9.15 earthquake off the coast of Indonesia created unprecedented devastation in the form of the Indian Ocean Tsunami. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, with deaths occurring in 15 countries. Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India and Thailand were among the hardest hit.

Operation USA received over $4 million in donations from private citizens, corporations and foundations. Over $12 million more in products and transportation was also donated. Operation USA’s extensive experience in Asia resulted in quickly mobilizing partners on the ground.

Projects were funded in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and India. The scope of work ranged from providing emergency supplies such as water purification, medical aid and shelter materials to longer-term recovery projects that included building health centers, giving livelihood grants, as well as making the commitment to rebuild an entire Sri Lankan fishing village.

Operation USA remains an active and dedicated part of the long-term recovery process, and numerous projects continue in a large number of these communities.