The American Council for Voluntary International Action (INTERACTION) is a broadly based coalition of 152 American PVOs that work in international development, refugee assistance, public policy, and education of Americans about third world nations. Since 1984, INTERACTION has also played a significant role in disaster preparedness and response to disasters. It exists to complement and enhance the effectiveness of its member organizations and the private and voluntary agency as a whole. A grant from OFDA has helped this organization establish a professional forum for cooperation, joint planning, and exchange of information when a disaster occurs. However, it is unlikely that INTERACTION will operate within the country in need of assistance. Its work is executed in the US and is organized to maintain an effective liaison with USAID/OFDA. It acts as a coordinator at the staff level in meeting within the country in need.
American Friends of Action International Contre La Faire (AICF) promote development efforts and provide emergency assistance in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. AICF focuses on primary health care, potable water, environmental sanitation, and agricultural based, income-generating projects. Its most basic commitment is to enhance local capacities at both community and central levels.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) operates relief, welfare, and self-help programs in 74 countries to assist refugees, war victims, and other needy people. CRS emphasizes the distribution of food and clothing and the provision of primary health care. Its capability to provide technical assistance and social services has steadily increased in recent years.
COOPERATIVE FOR AMERICAN RELIEF EVERYWHERE, INCORPORATED
The Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere, Incorporated (CARE) conducts relief and development programs in over 40 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Programs are carried out under three-way partnership contracts among CARE, private or national government agencies, and local communities in the areas of health, nutrition, AIDS education, population management, natural resources management, agriculture, small economic activities, and emergency assistance. CARE provides technical assistance, training, food, other material resources, and management in combinations appropriate to local needs and priorities. Its particular strength is in food distribution, emergency transport, and general logistics.
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS/MEDICINS SANS FRONTIERS
Medicins Saris Frontiers (MSF) provides medical assistance to victims of disasters, accidents, and wars. The US organization is closely associated with its counterparts in Belgium, Holland, Spain, and France. Medical relief teams respond to more than 700 missions yearly to areas of conflict, refugee camps, national disaster sites, and areas lacking adequate health care facilities. Its particular area of expertise is emergency medicine, vaccinations, and basic hygiene services.
THE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS
The International Medical Corps (IMC) provides health care and establishes health training programs in developing countries and distressed areas worldwide. IMC specializes in areas where few other relief organizations operate. IMC's goal is to promote self sufficiency through health education and training. Its particular areas of expertise are immunizations and primary health care.
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) assists refugees and internally displaced victims of war and civil strife. Services range from emergency relief and assistance programs to refugee resettlement in the United States. IRC monitors human services, delivery, and refugee processing for US resettlement. IRC can provide emergency medical support, public health, and small-scale water and sanitation capabilities.
IRISH CONCERN
Irish Concern is one of the foreign NGOs that receives funding from USAID/OFDA. Its primary area of expertise is supplementary and therapeutic feeding and sanitation.
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF, INCORPORATED
Lutheran World Relief, Incorporated (LWR) provides financial, material, and personnel support, usually through counterpart church-related agencies in the areas of disaster relief, refugee assistance, and social and economic development. LWR is also a provider of health care.
SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION/UNITED KINGDOM
Save the Children Federation/United Kingdom (SCF/UK) programs are guided by a set of principles, which include identifying project goals and implementing projects, transferring necessary skills, encouraging self-help, and using available resources. This organization is more relief oriented than its US counterpart. It concentrates on providing supplementary feeding, seeds and tools, and general infrastructure.
WORLD VISION RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT, INCORPORATED
World Vision Relief and Development, Incorporated (WVRD or World Vision) provides cash, gifts in-kind, services in-kind, and technical resources for large-scale relief/rehabilitation, and development projects in over 90 countries throughout the world. Development programs include child survival, vitamin A distribution, prosthetics/handicap child development, and AIDS rehabilitation prevention and education.
