Contact: Rick Spencer · (703) 284-7448

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is distributing $2.2 million in medicine and medical supplies recently airlifted to the Republic of Armenia. The shipment is part of the United States government's assistance program for the newly independent state in eastern Europe.

Over the past five years, in addition to distributing medicine, UMCOR has worked to improve health care in Armenia by training doctors and nurses in health care management, maternal and child care, and public health education. The programs, funded by an international development grant from the U.S. State Department, have greatly assisted the country's health department in its efforts to provide desperately needed medicines and health care to the people of Armenia.

Sixty-nine clinics and health centers throughout Armenia will be stocked when UMCOR and its partner, CitiHope, complete the distribution of vital supplies like anesthetics, analgesics, diabetic and heart medications, and diuretics.

UMCOR, the health and relief arm of the 8.5 million member United Methodist Church is active in humanitarian aid throughout the world. The medical project in Armenia is one of several in which UMCOR is involved in eastern Europe.