Aid Group, Islamic Relief, To Send 85 Tons Of Urgently Needed Humanitarian Aid To Lebanon; Airlift To Leave Salt Lake City Tonight

Islamic Relief is shipping
85 tons of urgently needed aid supplies to Lebanon to assist civilian
victims of the current humanitarian crisis. The planeload of aid is to
leave Salt Lake City International Airport early on Tuesday, August 1.


The cargo plane will be carrying essential aid items supplied by The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, such as medical supplies,
hygiene kits, powdered milk, baby formula, and hand soap. Once on the
ground, aid distribution will be overseen by Islamic Relief and the Hariri
Foundation, a Lebanese development and education organization.


Since the start of the recent conflict in Lebanon, over 800,000
citizens have been displaced and thousands of others seeking shelter and
aid in schools and government buildings. The critical humanitarian
situation has prompted the United Nations to make an appeal of $150 million
of emergency aid to assist the civilian population.


Since its establishment, Islamic Relief has responded to the
humanitarian needs of people regardless of their background. In Lebanon,
Islamic Relief has already distributed food packages, medicine, household
supplies, and other relief goods.


In addition to this 85 ton in-kind shipment, Islamic Relief has
allocated $1 million of immediate aid for the humanitarian crisis in
Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories. The organization has made an
international appeal to raise over $5 million for the Middle East
humanitarian crisis.


Islamic Relief has partnered with The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints many times in the past to provide humanitarian aid. The
two groups have worked together to send aid to victims of Hurricane
Katrina, the South Asia tsunami, the Pakistan earthquake, as well as the
most recent shipment of $1.6 million of aid for victims of the Java,
Indonesia earthquake.


Islamic Relief staff on the ground in Lebanon are available for
interviews. Media professionals may contact Islamic Relief for further
information on the airlift and the response to the current humanitarian
crisis.


For three years in a row, Islamic Relief USA has been recognized as a
4-star charity by Charity Navigator, its highest rating. Charity Navigator
is America's largest charity evaluator.


Islamic Relief