2.11.2005 ET

(CSRwire) STAMFORD, CT - AmeriCares, the humanitarian relief agency, announced today that it has received a $1 million cash donation to aid its tsunami relief efforts in Asia from the Abbott Fund, the philanthropic foundation of global health care company Abbott.

AmeriCares launched a rapid emergency response effort in the days following the tsunami, sending relief teams into India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Between December 30, 2004 and January 20, 2005, the humanitarian agency delivered seven airlifts into those countries, carrying a total of 160 tons of relief supplies to benefit more than 1.5 million people. Abbott donated $1.8 million in health care products to AmeriCares, including antibiotics, analgesics, rehydration fluids and other nutritional aid in support of these airlifts. In addition, Abbott's local affiliate in India worked directly with AmeriCares' staff in the field to arrange a donation of urgently needed medicines to the affected populations in Tamil Nadu. As AmeriCares moves into the next phase of its relief efforts, it will continue to use products donated by Abbott, including medicines, vitamins and nutritional supplements.

"We are truly appreciative of Abbott's generosity," said AmeriCares President and CEO Curt Welling. "We have a long-standing relationship with Abbott, which has been supporting our relief efforts for nearly two decades. Their cash donation, along with their ongoing product donations, will give us the resources to help further our efforts in India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka."

"Abbott is privileged to work with AmeriCares and their dedicated staff to provide relief aid for people affected by the tsunami," said Reeta Roy, vice president of global citizenship and policy at Abbott. "With AmeriCares' expertise, experience and operational capabilities, we were able to work together to deliver critical medicines and nutritional products to those in need within days of the tsunami."

In addition to tsunami relief efforts, AmeriCares and Abbott worked together to deliver ongoing aid for disaster and humanitarian relief throughout 2004, including shipments to Chad, Haiti, Iran, Liberia, Sudan and many other countries. This work will continue in 2005; in January alone, AmeriCares delivered Abbott products valued at more than $1 million for ongoing humanitarian assistance in these and other locations.

To learn more about AmeriCares' relief efforts around the world, or to make a donation, visit its web site at www.americares.org or call 1-800-486-HELP (4357).

AmeriCares is a nonprofit international disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, which provides immediate response to emergency medical needs and supports long-term humanitarian assistance programs around the world. Since it was established in 1982, AmeriCares has distributed more than $4 billion in humanitarian aid to 137 countries. AmeriCares has been given a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the highest possible rating, indicating effective management practices. For every $100 donated, more than $3,000 of aid is delivered.

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