Islamic Relief USA Continues Commitment to Haiti, One Year Later

Interviews available from Port-au-Prince

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One year following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Islamic Relief USA is continuing its commitment to help improve humanitarian conditions on the ground.  

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, IR USA's emergency response team was one of the first to reach Haiti, setting up temporary shelters for earthquake victims.  Partnering with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, IR USA airlifted two shipments of critically needed supplies of food, water, filtration systems and medical supplies valued at $293,000.  

Haiti's earthquake, which claimed the lives of an estimated 230,000 civilians and left over 1 million Haitians homeless, triggered an outpouring of donations to our organization, mainly from the Muslim-American community.  To date, IR USA has contributed $1.5 million toward building 400 transitional shelters in the Carrefour District and reconstructed a school in the Quest province.  In addition, Islamic Relief has employed more than 450 Haitians in its "Cash for Work" program.  The primary focus of the project was to clear rubble from destroyed and damaged buildings in Delmas and Carrefour, while contributing to the economic revitalization of affected communities.

Islamic Relief is also launching a Cholera Prevention and Control Program, aimed at minimizing the impact of the recent cholera epidemic.  The project is aimed at school-aged children, promoting hygiene practice among students, teachers, parents and communities at large.  

"If we help to empower Haiti and assist its people with the rebuilding efforts during this time when they need it most, it will be a true testament to the best of the human spirit," said Karim Amin, IR USA's programs coordinator.  

Islamic Relief staff members are available for interviews in Haiti.  

• Karim Amin, a programs coordinator for IR USA, will be in Haiti January 9-14.  Amin was part of Islamic Relief's emergency response team sent to Haiti immediately following the quake.  He helped establish temporary shelters and distributed food, water and other needed items.  He also laid the groundwork for the establishment of an Islamic Relief field office in Haiti.
• Asma Yousef is a spokesperson for IR USA. Asma has spent nearly a decade working for non-profit organizations.  Prior to joining Islamic Relief USA, she was a communications consultant to the World Bank.    

Inspired by Islam's values on charitable giving and community development, IR USA is a relief organization dedicated to alleviating poverty through disaster relief and development projects in the US and worldwide.  IR USA received the Charity Navigator four-star rating for the seventh consecutive year in 2010 and was ranked among the top 150 charities in the US.  For more information, please visit www.islamicreliefusa.org.

MEDIA CONTACT IN HAITI: Asma Yousef at 703-582-5880, ayousef@islamicreliefusa.org

SOURCE Islamic Relief USA