AmeriCares Rushes Aid for Syrian Refugees

STAMFORD, Conn., Sept. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An AmeriCares emergency aid shipment from its Stamford, Conn., headquarters arrived in Jordan this week to assist Syrian refugees as they continue to stream into the country. Medicines and medical supplies donated by AmeriCares will help meet the health care needs of refugees at the newly established Za'atri camp, where 24,000 people languish in dismal conditions. The AmeriCares shipment includes enough emergency equipment, chronic disease medicines and wound care supplies to help up to 20,000 people.

Aid organizations are struggling to meet the health needs of people fleeing the civil war in Syria, and more than 214,000 people have now sought refuge in neighboring Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq. The population includes vulnerable groups such as children and infants, pregnant women, chronic disease patients and those hurt in the conflict.

"There is a desperate need for medicines and supplies at the refugee camps along the Syrian border. Health care providers are reporting an increased number of war-related injuries among the refugee population," said Garrett Ingoglia, AmeriCares director of emergency response. "Our medicines and supplies will help vulnerable Syrian refugees fleeing from airstrikes and shelling by government forces."

A previous shipment including emergency assistance and chronic disease medications arrived in Jordan on August 23. AmeriCares is also supplying medical aid to volunteer doctors providing emergency medical care to refugees throughout the region, including many patients with gunshot wounds and other war injuries.

AmeriCares has been delivering critically needed medicines and relief supplies to the Middle East for more than 25 years in response to civil conflict as well as humanitarian crises.

About AmeriCares
AmeriCares is a nonprofit global health and disaster relief organization that delivers medicines, medical supplies and aid to people in need around the world and across the United States. Since it was established in 1982, AmeriCares has distributed more than $10 billion in humanitarian aid to 164 countries. For more information, visit americares.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Leslie Gianelli (203) 658-9692
[email protected]

SOURCE AmeriCares