FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

OPERATION USA APPEALS FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT TO AID VICTIMS OF SOUTH MEXICO FLOODS

Los Angeles, California
November, 2, 2007

Operation USA, a 28-year-old international relief agency based in Los Angeles, is appealing to the public and corporations to aid in response to the flooding in Southern Mexico.

The flooding in the state of Tabasco is the worst the state has seen in fifty years, with 900,000 people displaced and awaiting rescue or shelter. Governor Andres Granier reported that eighty percent of the state is under water, 100 percent of its crops have been destroyed and most of the state's population of 2 million are affected in a substantial way. In addition, 150 hospitals and medical centers have been flooded and are closed.

Operation USA is requesting the public's assistance in providing financial support and asking corporations to provide bulk, uniform quantities of appropriate medical, nutritional, hygiene and shelter supplies, as well as tents, blankets, water purification and power generation equipment. As with every disaster Operation USA asks the public to refrain from collections of used clothing and other inappropriate materials.

"Operation USA conducted sevent airlifts of medicines and shelter materials and helped build a permanent clinic for relocated victims of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake as part of an integrated community development project," said Operation USA President, Richard Walden. "Once needs are assessed, we hope to provide similar emergency assistance for the current flooding."

CONTACT:
Richard Walden, Neil Frame & Christine Oppenheim
310-838-3455 or coppenheim@opusa.org