Heart to Heart responds to quake survivors on Indonesian island

OLATHE, Kan./April 12, 2005 – Heart to Heart International Inc., the heartland’s connection to a world in need, today announced that the organization is responding to survivors of the March 28 earthquake on the Indonesian island of Nias. Heart to Heart will send 15 tons of humanitarian aid on April 12 to help hurting people on this island.

“The people of Nias have suffered a lot over the past three months,” said Dr. Gary Morsch, Heart to Heart’s president and founder. “Beyond the great loss of life, the island’s only hospital was completely destroyed by this recent earthquake after withstanding the massive tsunami in late December. In the absence of this hospital, several groups are treating quake survivors in makeshift clinics and relief centers. Our aid shipment targets some of the most pressing needs during this time of transition and we hope it brings some healing after so much tragedy.”

Hope Worldwide is serving as Heart to Heart’s humanitarian partner on the ground and says that the biggest needs on Nias are medicines and food. The load, which is valued at $1.2 million (U.S. wholesale), consists of pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medicines, first-aid supplies, nutritional drinks, dehydrated soup, and crisis-care kits.

FedEx will transport the shipment free-of-charge from Heart to Heart’s warehouse in Kansas City, Kan., to the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, and then on to the northern city of Medan. From there, the aid will make its way to Nias for distribution in clinics and relief centers on the island.

With FedEx’s support, Heart to Heart has responded to tsunami victims in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, delivering aid worth $5 million (U.S. wholesale). Heart to Heart is also working on a multi-year plan to assist in rebuilding communities in the tsunami zone.