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News - Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David Rivard, AAI
571 316 415 7771
dave@airlineamb.org
Airline Ambassadors, LDS Charities and Military
Join Forces to Bring Aid to Colombia
(Sept 20,2008) On September 24, 2008, 30,000 lbs of hospital supplies (valued over $1M) arrived in San José del Guaviare thanks to assistance from the US Embassy
in Bogotá, Colombia, Colombian military and the Colombian National Police.
Airline Ambassadors International (AAI), a humanitarian NGO, put together this unique collaborative effort with the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) Charities in Colombia after a call for help from the US Civil Affairs personnel stationed in Southern Colombia in April.
An advance AAI team met with the Governor of Guaviare, Oscar Cadavid, and decided to support his economic plan of action which identified health care as an important element. Hospital director, Nancy Sanchez Perez compiled a needs list for the Hospital de San Jose de Guaviare serving the region from the Venezuelan border to the northern frontiers of Peru and Ecuador. LDS Charities generously provided the medical aid for the hospital in San Jose de Guaviare and the Colombian National Police played a critical role to make sure the shipment arrived safely. This aid will help scale up the health care facility to international standards, with the ability to supply outlying clinics. Colombian National Police Battalion Commander, Gustavo Chavarro played a critical role to make sure the shipment will arrive safely to San Jose del Guaviare. The National Police has also generously provided personal air transport for the donor volunteers.
Oscar Cadavid, Governor del Guaviare has developed an economic plan, “All for the Social and Economic Recuperation of Guaviare”. He has identified public health care as an important element to this plan of action. The Hospital in San Jose currently serves all sectors of society, including civilian, military and police. The Governor plans to provide a jobs training program for technicians from the region to maintain and repair medical equipment in this hospital, giving those reliant on the drug trade an alternative means to provide for their families. Failure of the “Plan of Action” will cause increased war spending and heightened police actions in the territory. Success of the Plan will provide dependents in the drug trade (controlled by the FARC) with economic opportunities, jobs as well as increased peace and security.
The US Embassy in Colombia has also been very generous with logistical support, transportation & technical assistance. The US Embassy assisted AAI in coordination with the Colombian military and identifying the donation site of San Jose de Gauviare.
This is the first of its kind collaboration among NGOs, the US Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, military and government in a coordinated effort to bring sustainable development to Southern Colombia.
Airline Ambassadors teams also delivered aid to two adopted orphanages in Bogotá – Niños por Un Nuevo Planeta for sexually abused children and also Hogar de Luz y Vida for disabled and special needs children. AAI plans on regular missions to these orphanages as well as continued development support to Southern Colombia.
Volunteers at Ninos por Un Nuevo Planeta
Sister Valeriana at Hogar de Luz y Vida with
AAI volunteer from the US Military
Please read the AAI Action Plan (.ppt download)
Airline Ambassadors International is a humanitarian non profit organization that provides humanitarian aid to children and families in need as well as international relief and development in underpriviliged countries worldwide. www.airlineamb.org
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