UKRAINE DISASTER ASSISTANCE FUND
Worst rainstorms in a century swept across Western Ukraine, massive flooding and major losses, huge relief and rebuilding program needed

U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC)
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, August 6, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund" has been
created by the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), Ukrainian Federation of America (UFA), Ukrainian-American Coordinating Council (UACC), U.S.- Ukraine Foundation (USUF) coalition, to raise money and in-kind support from individuals, institutions, organizations and businesses for the people, homes and villages in Western Ukraine hit in late July by what officials are calling the worst rainstorms in a century.

At least 38 people including six children were killed in late July by a massive
flood that hit the Vinnitsa, Trans-Carpathian, Ivano-Frankovsk, Lvov, and
Chernovtsy regions. Hundreds of towns and villages were flooded, with more than 40,000 houses affected and thousands of people evacuated, officials said. Some 655 settlements, and over 57,000 hectares of farmland were washed out by the floods. The Ivano-Frankovsk region suffered the most.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Emergency, more than 422 miles (679
km) of highways and roads and more than 900 bridges were destroyed in the storms, leaving more than 300 towns and villages without electricity,
downing communication lines, and blocking food access routes throughout five regions of western Ukraine.

UKRAINE PRESIDENT & US AMBASSADOR ENCOURAGE SUPPORT

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has called on international governments, organizations and businesses for major assistance.  U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, William Taylor, has encouraged U.S. businesses and individuals working in Ukraine to provide funds and in-kind donations for emergency and longer term rebuilding assistance.

The "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund" coalition will meet with U.S. Ambassador Taylor in Washington on Thursday to discuss the flood damage as assessed by U.S. Embassy personal, the U.S. government response and how the U.S. private for-profit and not-for-profit sector can work together with the U.S. government and the Ukraine government to provide effective assistance.

"UKRAINE DISASTER ASSISTANCE FUND" ACCEPTING
DONATIONS NOW

The "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund" is now accepting donations.  To make a donation, please go to www.usukraine.org/donate.shtml.  Scroll down the page and mark your donation for the "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund."

Checks can be made out to the "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund/USUF"
and mailed to the Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund, %U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, 1701 K. Street, NW, Suite 903, Washington, D.C. 20006. 

The "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund" will be managed by the four major
organizations in the coalition to see that the funds donated by individuals,
institutions, organizations and businesses are used responsibly and effectively.

"UKRAINE DISASTER ASSISTANCE FUND" MANAGEMENT

The four organizations in the coalition are represented in the management
of the "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund" by:

[1]  Dr. Zenia Chernyk, Representative, Ukrainian Federation of America
(UFA) (www.ukrainianfederationofamerica.org);
[2]  Ihor Gawdiak, President, Ukrainian-American Coordinating Council
(UACC), and
[3]  Nadia K. McConnell, President, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF)
(www.usukraine.org).
[4]  Morgan Williams, SigmaBleyzer, President, U.S.-Ukraine Business
Council (USUBC)(www.usubc.org);

Financial reporting for the "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund" will be
managed by John Kun, Senior Vice-President and COO, U.S.-Ukraine
Foundation (USUF).  The uses of the fund will be transparent and published.

Anyone wishing to donate in Ukraine, make an in-kind donation, needing
another way to donate or needing additional information should contact John
Kun, USUF, jkun@usukraine.org, or Morgan Williams, USUBC,
mwilliams@usubc.org.

DONATE NOW TO ASSIST THE PEOPLE OF WESTERN
UKRAINE IN THE REBUILDING OF THEIR LIVES,
HOMES & VILLAGES

The Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund is now accepting donations.  To make
a donation, please go to www.usukraine.org/donate.shtml.  Scroll down the
page and mark your donation for the "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund."

Checks can be made out to the "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund/USUF"
and mailed to the "Ukraine Disaster Assistance Fund," %U.S.-Ukraine
Foundation, 1701 K. Street, NW, Suite 903, Washington, D.C. 20006. 

Please donate now to assist the people of Western Ukraine in the
rebuilding of their lives, homes and villages.  Your support is needed.