Disaster Packages Arrive in Kyrgyzstan to Aid Victims of Civil Violence

Osh, Kyrgyzstan, June 18, 2010 –(PR.com)– Early this week, responding to thousands in need, stemming from recent violent clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan, Counterpart International released pre-positioned, disaster packages funded by the U.S. Department of State. Working with the U.S. Embassy and the Kyrgyz Ministries of Health and Emergency Situations, Counterpart has begun distributing disaster relief packages valued at more than $200,000 in Osh and Jalal-Abad, the main areas of conflict.

The shipments, including medical supplies, surgical instruments, folding litters, towels, bedding, clothing, footwear and ready-to-eat meals, will be utilized primarily by the Osh and Jalal- Abad United Oblast Hospitals. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia under its Operation Provide Hope program, the disaster packages will be some of the first relief goods to reach the people affected by the violence.

On June 10, brutal violence broke out in the city of Osh and spread to Jalal-Abad and adjacent territories. Tens of thousands have been displaced, thousands are in need of immediate medical attention and the death toll has surpassed 176. The 75,000 refugees fleeing across the border include women, children and wounded. After only four days, it has become the worst civil violence in the country for two decades. With security still not fully restored, many people remain cut off from aid and are in desperate need of medical supplies and food items.

Rang Hee Kim, Senior Director of Counterpart�s Humanitarian Assistance Programs, remarked that “Counterpart has long-term and strong partnerships with organizations and communities in the Kyrgyz Republic. These sound relationships and networks in the south allow us to effectively respond to the needs of the affected populations.”

Counterpart has been active in the Kyrgyz Republic since 1996. Today, after nearly 14 years of working in partnership with the Kyrgyz people to rebuild, develop and transform communities, more than 593 containers of humanitarian assistance—valued at approximately $85 million and containing food, shelter, medical supplies, clothing and other basic necessities—have been delivered. These distributions were made with the help of more than 863 governmental and non-governmental institutions in all seven Oblasts of Kyrgyz Republic.

Since 1993, Counterpart has been meeting the basic needs of vulnerable populations in 61 countries around the world. To date, Counterpart has provided more than $1.2 billion in humanitarian assistance to organizations and individuals donated from the U.S. government, corporations, charitable organizations and individuals.

Counterpart International is a global development organization that empowers people and communities to implement innovative and enduring solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges. For nearly 50 years, Counterpart has been working in partnership with communities in need to address complex problems related to economic development, food security and nutrition, and building effective governance and institutions. Learn more at www.counterpart.org.

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