CitiHope Partners with Aid Organizations & Major Pharmaceutical Firms for Delivery of $12.5 Million Medical Relief Shipment to Tsunami Victims

CitiHope, the most productive humanitarian relief organization, has partnered with International Relief Foundation, World Children’s Fund and Tamil Rehabilitation Organization to assist to deliver critical medical relief shipment to tsunami survivors in Sri Lanka, one of areas harest hit by the killer waves. We believe this is the largest single internatinal aid shipment ever from a New York aid organization.

Andes, NY (PRWEB) January 13, 2005

CitiHope (http://www.citihope.org), one of the premier faith-based relief and development organizations, announced today it has created a partnership with three other aid organizations to deliver urgently needed medicines and supplies to tsunami victims in Sri Lanka. International Relief Foundation (IRF) (http://www.irfonline.org), a charity based in Columbus, Ohio, World Children’s Fund (WCF) (http://www.worldchildrensfund.net), a non-profit children’s relief organization, and Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) (http://www.troonline.org), Sri Lanka’s most respected relief NGO, have agreed to help CitiHope deliver and distribute the medicine to the needy. Sri Lanka is one of the areas hardest hit by monster waves caused by the magnitude 9.0 earthquake which struck beneath the Indian Ocean on December 26th, 2004.

“Disease now threatens to kill more people in Southeast Asia than the tsunami itself. We are in a race against time to deliver the drugs and supplies which will help local doctors prevent this catastrophe from multiplying,” said Rev. Paul S. Moore, President of CitiHope International. “With the support of IRF, Tamil Rehabilitation Organization staff will work with CitiHope staff on the ground in Northeastern Sri Lanka, ensure the timely distribution of the $12.5 million of medicines and supplies procured from our generous pharmaceutical company partners over the past 7 days.“

“IRF is pleased to be in the company of CitiHope and its other partners in participating in this extremely important and timely relief effort” said Mr. Ranjan Manoranjan, a Trustee of IRF.

Doctor Joseph Lam, WCF Chairman and Founder, is also an eager supporter of this partnership mission. “Our local staff at the WCF Patong Beach Children's Center in Phuket, Thailand survived the waves, but they know many who did not. We are sending help, and our partnership with CitiHope is key. With CitiHope’s assistance, we are able to deliver life-saving aid not only in Thailand, but in Sri Lanka and other affected countries.”

“TRO is proud to assist CitiHope in the distribution of this generous and speedy delivery of medical aid, “said Mr. K. P. Reggie, the Executive Director of TRO. “These drugs and supplies are urgently needed by our people who are suffering incredibly.“

“Few relief organizations can turn around such a huge mission in such a short time and I know of no other faith-based relief and development which can do more with a donor dollar,” Rev. Moore added, citing his organization’s financial efficiency which has resulted in CitiHope receiving the highest ratings from industry watch-dog groups.

CitiHope is accepting donations to underwrite the imminent delivery of this relief shipment as well as future shipments planned for Thailand and Indonesia which were also devastated by this disaster.

About CitiHope International: CitiHope International is one of the world’s premier Christian humanitarian relief and development organizations. Working in conjunction with private pharmaceutical donors, international organizations, the US Department of State and USAID, it has distributed $450 million of medical supplies to over dozens of countries on 5 continents in the past 15 years. It has distributed more of its revenue as actual aid programs than any other organization in its class over the last 3 years according to Ministry Watch Sector Reports. Founded in 1985 by the Reverend Paul Moore to serve the homeless population in New York City, CitiHope now serves the needy and stricken throughout the globe wherever crisis, famine and disease occur. CitiHope is a USAID-registered and certified non-profit 501(c)3 organization.

About International Relief Foundation: International Relief Foundation was formed at the height of Sri Lanka’s civil war in 1997 to help civilians affected by the war in Sri Lanka. The organization has funded numerous rehabilitation projects in the northeastern region of Sri Lanka through local charities and other social organizations including children’s orphanages and homes for the elderly. International Relief Foundation is a US IRS approved 501(c)3 charitable organization.

About World Children’s Fund: Founded by visionary leader Doctor Joseph Lam in 1993, World Children’s Fund is a global network of caring and sharing to help rescue needy children who are abandoned, distressed, endangered, exploited, homeless, hungry, sick or suffering. From its headquarters in San Jose, California, WCF disburses aid through its Global Care and Share Network, a collective effort of child care program providers and World Children’s Fund charities in 12 support countries.

CitiHope Contact:

Rev. Paul S. Moore, President

CitiHope International

PO Box 38 Andes, NY 13731

845-676-4400

paulsartell@aol.com

http://www.citihope.org

IRF Contact:

Mr. Ranjan Manoranjan, Trustee

P.O. Box 20691

Columbus, OH 43220

614-832-2010

helpirf@gmail.com

http://www.irfonline.org

WCF Contact:

Bill Bray, International Communications Director

5442 Thornwood Drive

San Jose, CA 95123

434-466-3448

bbray@wcf-intl.org

http://www.worldchildrensfund.net

PR Contact:

Don Wahlig

Wahlig Public Relations

Summit, New Jersey

(908) 790-9280

don@wahligpr.com

http://www.wahligpr.com

# # #