The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Islamic Relief USA have partnered to send urgently needed food and medical supplies to aid those impacted by the earthquake in Haiti. The first of two shipments is scheduled to depart Miami today.
The shipments will include 160,000 pounds of supplies donated by the Church, including medical equipment, blankets, quilts, first aid kits, water filtration bottles, wheelchairs, and special kits designed to help with newborn and hygiene needs. Pallets of supplies specially designed for orphanages will also be in the shipment.
Islamic Relief USA, America’s largest Muslim relief organization, has donated the cost of transporting the supplies via the Dominican Republic to Haiti. IR has also been distributing clean drinking water to Haitians in Port-au-Prince.
To date, the Church’s relief efforts include three previous air shipments of food and supplies. A team of Latter-day Saint doctors are already on the ground in Haiti assisting in the recovery effort. In addition, 5,000 Haitians are being sheltered at Church buildings throughout Port-au-Prince.
Photo and Interview Opportunity
The first shipment is scheduled to leave Miami International Airport today. Prior to the flight, the media are invited to attend a brief news conference. Photo and one-on-one interview opportunities will be available with representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Islamic Relief USA.
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Civil Air Trans, 1865 NW 68 Avenue, Bldg. 712
History of Partnership
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Islamic Relief USA have a long history of humanitarian relief efforts around the world. The two organizations first teamed up to send thousands of pounds of food and medical supplies to Indonesia after the 2004 tsunami and again in 2006 after a devastating earthquake hit the region. In 2009 the Church and Islamic Relief again partnered to send humanitarian relief to victims impacted by a tsunami near the Samoan Islands.