Dear Ignatius,
Thank you for your recent contribution in support of our programs
throughout the world, especially those in Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Your combined financial support is critically important to
us as we undertake a vast number of medical and disaster relief
programs in dozens of countries and here at home, which last
year totaled over $10 million to 32 countries. We are especially
proud of our long-term development programs in Vietnam, Cambodia,
Nicaragua and Cuba. Our USA programs focus on meeting the needs
of America’s 44 medically uninsured through our Community
Clinic Support Program, which now assist 200 community clinics
in California.
Recent turmoil affects almost 125 million people: the Iraq
war 28 million; the east and southern African droughts 20 million;
turmoil in Afghanistan 26 million, and refugees and internally
displaced people 40 million. Operation USA sent $1.7 million
worth medical aid to Iraq. We just sent two cargo aircraft
and two sea shipments to Iraq with emergency supplies to restock
hospitals. After the earthquake in Bam, Iran, we sent over
$1 million worth of supplies on a 747 cargo plane.
Since recovery from natural and manmade disasters takes years,
not months, there are many important tasks for an international
organization like Operation USA to undertake. In Turkey and
Iran, Operation USA sent rescue equipment and medicine and
is following up with assistance in rebuilding the weakened
health care system. Programs of post-traumatic stress counseling
were established in Taiwan, Turkey, Nicaragua, Peru and El
Salvador. Medical equipment and clinical supplies strengthened
health care systems in Cambodia, Vietnam, eastern Europe and
throughout Africa.
Women and children are and have always been our main concern.
Whether we are searching for new technologies to improve access
for developing communities to clean water, shipping essential
medicines and medical equipment of funding post-traumatic counseling
programs, saving women and children and enriching lives is
our goal.
Sincerely,
Richard M. Walden
President & CEO
P. S. Please visit our website at http://www.opusa.org
Operation USA
8320 Melrose Avenue, Suite 200
Los Angeles, California, 90069
Tel: (323)658-8876; Fax: (323)653-7846
All materials copyright © 2003 Operation USA. All rights reserved.