AmeriCares Third Airlift into Sri Lanka Focuses on Providing Clean Drinking Water

Treatments Will Purify 49 Million Liters

Stamford, CT, January 18 2005 – AmeriCares’ third airlift into Sri Lanka has just delivered 4.9 million water purification treatments, enough to provide 49 million liters of clean drinking water. With the arrival of this airlift, AmeriCares has sent more than 75 tons of relief into Sri Lanka since December 29.

AmeriCares relief personnel in Colombo are working with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health to ensure a coordinated delivery of aid into the worst affected areas. The water purification treatments on this latest flight were supplied by AmeriCares and PSI (Population Services International) and are being distributed to a variety of nongovernmental aid agencies working throughout Sri Lanka, such as the International Federation of the Red Cross, UNICEF and World Vision.

“Sri Lanka welcomes the timely endeavors of AmeriCares to meet critical post-disaster needs in partnership with the U.S. corporate sector and Sri Lankan Americans,” said Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Devinda R. Subasinghe. “The people of Sri Lanka have been touched by the leadership, compassion and generosity of the U.S. as symbolized by the third AmeriCares airlift.”

This airlift was underwritten by a $250,000 contribution from Sri Lankan-born American entrepreneur and philanthropist Sanjay Kumar.
“The terrific response to this tragedy by AmeriCares and other aid organizations and the outpouring of support from people all over America should be of some comfort to all those affected in Asia,” said Mr. Kumar. “This particular airlift and its focus on getting clean drinking water to the displaced will help Sri Lanka get on the road to recovery quickly by preventing the problems that are associated with the use of contaminated water.”

AmeriCares’ first airlift following the tsunami arrived in Sri Lanka on December 30 and carried 15 tons of essential medicines and water purification treatments. It was followed by a second airlift that landed January 12, carrying another 30 tons of relief assistance. Efforts in Sri Lanka are only part of AmeriCares comprehensive relief program to assist the tsunami-affected countries. The humanitarian agency also has teams on the ground in both Indonesia and India. More than 45 tons of essential medicines and water purification treatments have been delivered to Indonesia by AmeriCares, and a dedicated medical airlift to India is scheduled to take place within the next week.

To support AmeriCares relief efforts in Asia, log onto sandbox.americares.org or call AmeriCares directly at 1-800-486-HELP (4357).