International Medical Corps Partners with Wings of Help, Lufthansa, and International Relief Teams to Deliver 50 Tons of Relief to Drought and Famine-Affected in East Africa

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The German humanitarian agency, Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen, or Wings of Help, is coordinating its second shipment of relief supplies from Germany to the Horn of Africa, where 13 million people are in need of emergency assistance. The supplies, which include 50 tons of vital medicines, nutrient-dense foods, and other relief items will be transported to Kenya on a cargo flight donated by Lufthansa Airlines, and will be distributed in partnership with International Medical Corps and its teams on the ground in Kenya.

"International Medical Corps is deeply moved by the compassion and dedication of Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen, Lufthansa, and International Relief Teams to make this second shipment of lifesaving humanitarian relief possible," says Rabih Torbay, International Medical Corps Vice President of International Operations. "Tragically, the famine conditions in Somalia are expected to continue into 2012 and these supplies will allow us to expand and deepen our response to meet those needs."

"The hunger crisis in East Africa continues to escalate and Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen is very proud to be working with International Medical Corps to bring critical relief to the most vulnerable," says Frank Franke, President & CEO of Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen. "As we have with other emergencies in Haiti, Pakistan, and Japan, Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen and International Medical Corps are committed to working together to get what is most needed where it is most needed so that we have maximum impact on the lives of those affected."

"Our supporters have been very responsive to the dire situation in East Africa," says Barry La Forgia International Relief Teams Executive Director. "With their support, we were able to contribute the nutrient-dense, therapeutic food, Plumpy'Nut, to this airlift, which will make a difference in the lives of hundreds of malnourished children."

The supplies, which are expected to leave Germany on September 21, will be distributed in the Dadaab complex, the world's largest refugee camp. They will support International Medical Corps operations in Kambioos camp as well as drought-affected areas in the Eastern province of Kenya (in Isiolo); in the Rift Valley (Samburu and Laikipia); and Coast Province (Tana river and Tana Delta). The airlift is also carrying medicines to help hospitals in Nairobi care for those injured and in critical condition following last week's pipeline explosion in one of the city's slums.

Having worked in the region since 1991, International Medical Corps is reaching famine and drought-affected populations inside Somalia as well as in Kenya and Ethiopia. International Medical Corps is caring for refugees and host communities with lifesaving interventions, including health care; nutrition; water, sanitation, and hygiene; and gender-based violence services.

More on International Medical Corps:
Since its inception 27 years ago, International Medical Corps' mission has been consistent: relieve the suffering of those impacted by war, natural disaster, and disease, by delivering vital health care services that focus on training. This approach of helping people help themselves is critical to returning devastated populations to self-reliance. For more information visit:  www.InternationalMedicalCorps.org.  Also see us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

More on Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen:
Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen (Wings of Help) supports humanitarian organizations worldwide through the coordination of air transport for rescue workers, supplies and patients. For more information, visit www.luftfahrtohnegrenzen.de

More on International Relief Teams:
International Relief Teams is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that assists victims of disaster, poverty and neglect. For more than 23 years of serving those in need with efficiency and integrity, the organization focuses on four core areas – medical training, surgical outreach, health promotion, and disaster relief – that combine short-term relief efforts and long-term programs to save and change lives.  International Relief Teams had total revenues of $26.9 million in 2010. For more information visit: www.irteams.org.  Also see us on Facebook.

SOURCE International Medical Corps