FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OPERATION USA RECEIVES TWO GRANTS FROM
THE LINCY FOUNDATION TOTALLING $1.5 MILLION

 One Grant Is for Operation USA’s Disaster Relief Fund
and the Other for Los Angeles Disaster Supplies

LOS ANGELES (May 5, 2008) The Lincy Foundation has granted Operation USA $1 million as the lead contributor to Operation’s Disaster Relief Fund. The Disaster Relief Fund will enable Operation USA to move rapidly when a disaster strikes and will expand its emergency response reach domestically and internationally. An additional $500,000 was granted to fund essential supplies needed in local disasters in the Los Angeles area.

Throughout its 29 year history, Operation USA has worked in 99 countries responding to disasters both natural and manmade. To a privately funded organization, the speed and duration of disaster response is heavily reliant upon media interest and the public’s reaction to an emerging humanitarian crisis. Critical emergencies, especially in marginalized, often remote communities most at risk, can be greeted with public silence.

“As a smaller agency, Operation USA has forged a reputation for creating long lasting partnerships with local NGOs around the world in order to achieve our goals of effective disaster relief, sustainable recovery and development,” said Operation USA President and CEO, Richard Walden. “Most disasters do not get the level of public attention received by the 2004 Asian Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, often leaving effective response activities unfunded and local needs unmet. Our collaboration with Lincy and the establishment of a Disaster Relief Fund will allow us to employ a proactive rather than a reactive disaster response model.”

The Disaster Relief Fund grant will be utilized to release emergency response and relief funds for same week assessment from the field for event-specific relief and recovery projects. The additional funds will be used for acquisition of emergency supplies that will stage from Operation USA’s Port of Los Angeles warehouse and to fund the assessment and planning necessary for efficient local disaster response.

HOW TO HELP: To contribute to Operation USA’s Disaster Relief Fund, call 800.678.7255, donate online at www.opusa.org, or mail checks to 3617 Hayden Ave, Culver City, CA 90232. Please write “Disaster Relief Fund” in the notes section.

Media Contact:
Christine Oppenheim
310.838.3455
coppenheim@opusa.org