ATLANTA (March 28, 2001) -- The international relief and development organization CARE today released their Annual Report for fiscal year 2000 (FY00). During FY00, total support and revenue to CARE totaled a record $446.3 million. More than 91 percent of this - $409 million - was applied to CARE programs benefiting more than 27 million people throughout 69 countries around the world.

The increase in support and revenue - 6 percent over FY99 - is largely attributed to CARE's response to crises in the Balkans, Latin America, Indonesia, Mozambique and India's Orissa state. However, the organization also continued a steady expansion in development programming, which reached an all-time high of nearly $308 million in FY00, accounting for more than 75 percent of the organization's expenditures.

"While many people know CARE for its work in emergencies, fewer are familiar with the core of our work, which is to combat poverty at its roots," explained CARE President Peter D. Bell. "CARE today is about achieving lasting victories over poverty and building a better world for all. Key to this work are programs that empower, that bring equity, and that are sustainable," Bell concluded.

Other highlights of CARE's work in FY00 included:

• 5.1 million men and women in 26 countries benefited from health services, such as family planning, maternal health and prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
• Nearly 9.2 million women and children benefited from mother and child health projects in 23 countries, reducing the toll and threat of illness.
• More than 1.2 million people in 20 countries obtained basic education and training, directly expanding their ability to fulfill their personal and economic potential.

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