wfn.org | Church World Service Delivers Medical Supplies to Cuba

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11-August-1998 
98257 
 
    Church World Service Delivers Medical Supplies to Cuba 
    in First Direct Flight Since Restrictions Were Lifted 
 
    by Wendy McDowell 
    National Council of Churches Office of News Services 
    and Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
NEW YORK-On July 31, Church World Service - the relief and development arm 
of the National Council of Churches through which the Presbyterian Church 
(U.S.A.) channels much of its relief assistance - delivered medical 
supplies and blankets directly to Havana, Cuba. 
 
    The relief flight was CWS' first direct flight to Cuba in more than two 
years.  President Clinton lifted the restriction on direct flights of 
humanitarian aid this spring after pressure mounted following the pope's 
January visit to Cuba. 
 
    "After long pressing for the restriction on direct flights to Cuba to 
be lifted for humanitarian supplies, we are grateful that we can avoid the 
extra expense and time to get these supplies to the people where they are 
needed," said the Rev. Joan Brown Campbell, NCC general secretary. 
 
    Over the past six years, CWS has sent 42 shipments of food, medicines, 
medical equipment, school supplies and other goods to Cuba.  More than 300 
tons of goods, valued at more than $10 million, have been sent.  CWS works 
with the Cuban Council of Churches to target its assistance to the most 
vulnerable members of Cuban society - women, children and the elderly. 
 
    The July 31 shipment, valued at $143,000, includes hospital supplies 
donated by the Ohio State University Medical Center, 2,000 health kits and 
5,000 lightweight blankets. 
 
    The medical supplies - which include splints, bandages, syringes and 
other disposable hospital supplies - will go to two emergency clinics in 
Havana that the NCC has identified as needing increased capacity to care 
for needy Cubans. 
 
    The Rev. Oscar Bolioli, CWS director for Latin America and the 
Caribbean, said, "Concentrating on specific clinics is a way to make a 
concrete difference." 
 
    More information about humanitarian relief for Cuba is available by 
calling Susan Ryan of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance at (502) 569-5840 or 
PresbyTel, the general information service of the Presbyterian Church 
(U.S.A.), at 1-800-872-3283. Presbyterians wishing to contribute to 
humanitarian relief for Cuba should do so through local church channels or 
by contacting PresbyTel.  The account number for Cuban Humanitarian Relief 
is PDA# 9-2000003. 

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