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While the current emphasis of projects between the U.S. and NIS is on technical assistance and exchanges, a significant amount of material assistance flows from West to East every month--usually with little fanfare or publicity. In this issue we begin by highlighting the work of an organization which has assisted hundreds of projects sending humanitarian aid to the NIS.

Since its first shipment in February 1992, the Fund for Democracy and Development has shipped 3,481 containers of humanitarian aid worth more than $150 million to the NIS. The majority of these 40 foot sea containers have been filled with food, medicines, and medical supplies collected by nearly 500 private voluntary organizations in the U.S. and Canada. The Fund estimates it will ship 250 containers a month this winter.

The Fund will arrange for inland transportation in the U.S., ocean transportation, customs clearance in the NIS, and ground transportation to the distributing organization (including measures to prevent loss or pilferage). Transportation costs are provided by the U.S. Department of State, which also must approve each shipment. Voluntary organizations that collect aid can either specify where and to whom they would like the materials distributed, or the Fund can help select recipient institutions. The Fund does not begin shipment until it is confident a reliable partner has been found and a detailed distribution plan has been formulated. It also requires that American organizations obtain a follow-up report from the NIS institution detailing the actual distribution of supplies.

The Fund, the U.S. government, and various governments of the NIS have established guidelines and priorities for the kinds of supplies to be shipped. For instance it will only ship medical equipment that can be maintained and operated in the NIS. Spare parts must be included in the shipment, and donor organizations are responsible for providing the necessary training to use the equipment.

Although the Fund has established geographical priorities (Western Siberia, the Russian Far East, and the Central Asian Republics), the final destination is decided by the organization that collects the materials. The large number of containers shipped to Armenia is testament to the energy and commitment of the Armenian-American community to help their homeland.

The Fund also has projects to support small business development in Russia. With money from the U.S. government and U.S. and Russian private investors, it has established an investment fund to provide credit to small businesses in Russia. It also provides training to commercial banks and assists defense related industries and R&D centers as they try to re-orient to civilian markets.

Lewis Townsend
Executive Director
The Fund for Democracy and Development
2033 M Street, NW, Suite 506
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 296-5353
Fax: (202) 296-5433
E-mail: [email protected]

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