ATLANTA (October 10, 2000) -- Following recent outbreaks of violence in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, CARE is strengthening the efforts of local and international health organizations to quickly assist injured people - providing medicine, bandages, surgical equipment and other immediate support.

"In the West Bank and Gaza, CARE has been working toward longer-term solutions to poverty, but when something like this happens it causes everyone to take a step back," said Earl Wall, CARE director for West Bank and Gaza. "The ages of the dead and injured range from the very young to the very old. We are very distressed. The violence must end."

Since the start of the conflict in late September, some 85 people have been killed and more than 2,000 injured.

"CARE is committed to helping these casualties," said Wall. "By providing support to our partner organizations, we are doing just that."

CARE had a continuous presence in the West Bank and Gaza from 1948 to 1984 and reopened its mission in 1994, after the Oslo Declaration of Principles. The country office is in Jerusalem with two sub-offices: one in Gaza City and another in the northern West Bank in Jenin. CARE works in partnership with 23 local and international humanitarian organizations, and nine government ministries and departments with projects in reproductive health, civil society participation, microcredit and conservation.

For additional information, contact:
In Jerusalem: Earl Wall, (972) 50-764-874
In Atlanta: Allen Clinton,
404-979-9206; clinton@care.org.