Operation Usa » earthquake

NEWS RELEASE: Operation USA Prepares Medical Aid in Response to Earthquakes in Indonesia

opusa — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:27:03 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OPERATION USA TO SEND EMERGENCY MEDICAL AID TO INDONESIA FOLLOWING SERIES OF EARTHQUAKES

CATASTROPHE QUICKLY FOLLOWS DISASTERS IN SAMOA AND THE PHILIPPINES; NEED FOR DONATIONS AND CORPORATE SUPPORT INTENSIFIES

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 1, 2009)—Los Angeles-based International relief agency Operation USA announced today that it will send medical aid to Indonesia following a series of earthquakes that wreaked havoc across the island of Sumatra. A 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck Sumatra Wednesday, quickly followed by a strong second quake, killing scores of people and trapping thousands under rubble. It is reported that at least 500 buildings in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, collapsed—including a number of hospitals.

Operation USA’s relief efforts will focus on medical aid and support for health clinics and hospitals. 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.

“A quick succession of large disasters presents a challenge for a relief agency. As securing resources becomes competitive with so many needs arising at once, it is more important than ever to meet specific needs with the appropriate aid. We urge those that can help to donate generously to help ensure critical aid reaches those who need it most,” states Richard Walden, President and CEO, Operation USA.

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 has a long history of work in Indonesia, and continues today to work on long-term projects as a result of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. 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

NEWS RELEASE: Operation USA to Send Emergency Medical Aid to Samoa Following Earthquake and Resulting Tsunami

opusa — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:06:01 +0000

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 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

Indian Ocean Tsunami: Disaster Response–An Overview

admin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:33:43 +0000

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.