Washington, DC — January 26, 2007 — Today, it was all hands on deck at IRD.

IRD staff spent several days unpacking, sorting, arranging and shipping more than 20,000 lbs. of medical supplies, medical equipment, and school supplies to the people of the Crimea region of Ukraine. IRD-donated equipment worth more than $138,000 will be distributed through the U.S. Department of State-funded commodity distribution project in Crimea. The recipient is a medical center helping formerly displaced persons, primarily ethnic Tartar communities in Crimea, Ukraine. The shipment is scheduled to arrive March 2.

The donation was made possible by IRD’s Health Advisor, Dr. Julia Albright, who is also a professor at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the George Washington University School of Medicine.  Dr. Albright is known around the world for her research on immunology and other health issues. Over the past year, she had collected more than 230 boxes full of remaindered medical supplies from the university.

“I am so grateful to both IRD and the George Washington University School of Medicine for their generosity,” said Dr. Albright. “These contributions will help thousands of people in Ukraine in need of the most basic health care services.”
 
The shipment was also made possible by the work of two new members of IRD’s Logistics team. Jim Lanning, IRD’s deputy director of acquisitions and logistics, came to IRD earlier this year after working as Director of Material Acquisitions at Adventist Development & Relief Agency (ADRA). Manisha Lad, logistics officer, came to IRD after working at BKA logistics, a freight forwarder for relief cargo and food aid shipments. Both joined Ira Chalphin, a logistics officer at IRD headquarters in Washington, DC.

“I’m excited to be a part of the logistics team here,” said Lanning. “IRD coordinates an amazing number of donations already, but I’m looking forward to expanding that network.”

Since 2002, IRD has implemented the Essential Medical Commodities Distribution Project in Crimea, funded by the Department of State's Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe/Eurasia. The project includes the distribution of essential supplies to more than 100,000 formerly displaced persons and other vulnerable individuals; IRD provides ongoing assistance to institutions such as orphanages, schools and elderly homes by distributing health kits, hygiene kits, school kits, blankets, clothing and food items free of charge. To date, over $15 million in medical supplies and non-medical commodities have been delivered to Ukraine through the DOS project.

Each year IRD receives about $30 million worth of in-kind contributions from various humanitarian aid organizations. Since opening its doors in 1998, IRD has obtained, shipped, and monitored almost $200 million worth of donated goods worldwide.