Islamic Relief USA Signs Agreement with WHO to Provide Medicine to Libyan Cities

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), a relief and development organization based in the D.C. metro area, has signed an agreement to support the World Health Organization's Project for Libya Crisis. IRUSA's contribution to the project will ensure patients' access to primary health care as well as trauma and injury care in Libya through supporting the deployment of external medical teams and provision of essential drugs, medical supplies and equipment to strengthen health care facilities and help rehabilitate health centers that are damaged.

Since violence broke out in Libya in February, Libyan hospitals have reported acute staffing shortages as the country's migrant health workers fled the violence. Moreover, supplies of essential drugs and medical supplies have since been alarmingly low. Health professionals and centers are overwhelmed as the number of those seeking health care for both war injuries and chronic illnesses continues to rise. According to the WHO, "the primary health care (PHC) network, which was already weak before the conflict, has collapsed in many areas."

Islamic Relief USA will support the deployment of nurses and expatriate Libyan experts to hospitals and health facilities in Benghazi and Misratah. In addition, Islamic Relief USA will fund provision of essential medications, medical supplies and ambulances to be sent to Benghazi and Tobruk.  "We know that an emergency response to Libya's health care crisis has been desperately needed. We are eager to collaborate with the World Health Organization to aid the most vulnerable during these tough times in Libya," said Abed Ayoub, IRUSA's CEO.

Since the start of conflict in Libya, Islamic Relief USA has undertaken various humanitarian projects to aid those affected by the violence, setting up and managing refugee camps on the borders with Tunisia. Currently, IRUSA's food distribution project in Tunisia supports 10,000 Libyan refugees in Tatouine and surrounding areas. Its Child Protection Program supports schooling and recreational activities for Libyan children at Remada Camp in Tunisia.

Islamic Relief USA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3)humanitarian organization with eight consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, hunger, illiteracy and disease regardless of color, race, gender or creed, and to provide aid in a compassionate and dignified manner. Islamic Relief USA aims to provide rapid relief in the event of human and natural disasters and to establish sustainable local development projects, allowing communities to better help themselves.

MEDIA CONTACT: Asma Yousef, (703) 582-5880, [email protected]

SOURCE Islamic Relief USA