Summary
PPAF seeks $3,000 for a needs assessment which will result in providing badly needed medical supplies and equipment to Madagascar. PPAF is working in partnership with the Madagascar Mission to the United Nations, the Madagascar Ministry of Health, Maventy Health International and Project C.U.R.E., a US-based non-profit which collects and ships 40-foot containers of goods, each worth about $400,000, to developing countries worldwide. We have just learned from Project C.U.R.E. that they can send a team in early September. In order to go forward, we need your help by the end of August.

Background
Madagascar is an island nation off the coast of east Africa. It is the 4th largest island in the world, with a population of about 20 million. It is listed as a Least Developed Country by the United Nations, ranking 143rd out of 177 countries for which information is available on the UN Human Development Index (HDI). The top five causes of death in Madagascar are lower respiratory infections, malaria, diarrhoeal diseases, perinatal conditions and measles. Sadly, each of these is preventable or treatable. The government's recently-adopted Madagascar Action Plan has ambitious goals to improve Madagascar's position on the HDI; reduce the percentage of people living on less than $1 a day; reduce the fertility rate; increase life expectancy; increase literacy; increase the percentage of youth completing secondary school; and improve economic growth. Improved health is vital to achieving these, but the government has very limited means.

The Project
PPAF has been asked to help provide badly needed medical supplies and equipment to the very limited and poorly equipped hospital and clinic system. The aim is to save lives through improved care, and thus help improve people's wellbeing and productivity. PPAF recently met in New York and in Madagascar with representatives of the government and other partners for initial discussions. The Ministry of Health has put together a task force to advance the process. Part of the urgency results from focus by the medical profession and the media on the health of Siamese twins whose surgery should take place by November.

Project C.U.R.E. is a humanitarian relief organization that collects donated medical supplies and equipment and delivers them to developing countries worldwide. Project C.U.R.E. makes donations only after assessing the needs of a medical facility or facilities and the focus is on building sustainable healthcare infrastructure. Project C.U.R.E has informed PPAF that it can send a team to Madagascar in early September to work with the Ministry of Health and others for site assessments. Project C.U.R.E requires a deposit of $3,000 toward air fare, lodging, local transportation and other in-country costs, and aims to keep the expenses incurred to a minimum. Upon completion of the needs assessment, Project C.U.R.E. will obtain appropriate supplies and equipment, and with support of other partners, will ship them to Madagascar.

For further information, contact: David Stillman, PhD; Executive Director, PPAF. A check may be made to PPAF c/o WAFUNIF, which is our fiscal sponsor while PPAF awaits its own 501(c)3 nonprofit status. Please let us know if you plan to send a check.

Please feel free to share this appeal with others who might also help.

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The Public Private Alliance Foundation (PPAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing poverty in the world by bringing together business, governmental, community, academic, United Nations and other interests. Through collaboration, we help stimulate entrepreneurship and commerce-related activities and encourage investment for sustainable rural development. Focusing initially on the Dominican Republic and Madagascar, our vision is to make a difference for human betterment.

PPAF works in program areas including agribusiness, education, microfinance, health, information technology, remittances, renewable energy, and water and sanitation. It works closely with the United Nations for policies that advance public-private alliances.

Contact: Jeanne Betsock Stillman, PPAF Board Secretary
Tel: 914-478-3450
Cell: 914-924-1413
Email: jbs@stratdev.com