The effort

is being spearheaded by International Medical Corps, an international

humanitarian agency that is soliciting additional donations to fund this

cargo flight of medical relief supplies from Atlanta to Baghdad.

"The medical

supplies being collected for the airlift will satisfy urgent needs identified

through assessments we have conducted on the ground in hospitals and clinics

in Baghdad and the surrounding regions," said Nancy Aossey, President

and CEO of International Medical Corps, which currently has 35 relief

workers providing assistance on the ground.

"Through

these assessments, we have seen that the challenges of reconstruction

after so many years of deterioration are absolutely tremendous. We are

committed to working with our counterparts in Iraq and to see them through

these times."

Thus far, IMC

has procured pharmaceuticals, equipment and water filtration systems,

valued at $3.5 million, for this initial flight into Baghdad, and there

is still space available on the plane for additional supplies. More flights

will be planned if funding can be raised to support the emergency effort.

IMC is committed to continuing its work in Iraq beyond the present crisis

in order to rehabilitate and develop Iraq's healthcare infrastructure.

GoodWorks International,

the Atlanta-based consulting firm headed by Ambassador Andrew Young, began

organizing the airlift just after the war began, responding to requests

for support from expatriate Iraqis who were concerned about the well being

of their families in Baghdad.

"We are

very pleased that this effort has come together so quickly," said

Carl Masters, President of GoodWorks International. "We know that

the supplies we are sending will save lives. We are hopeful that the other

corporations and individuals will give generously to International Medical

Corps for the Atlanta-Baghdad Airlift."

World Airways

is committed to the airlift through the provision of an MD11 freighter

aircraft.

"World

Airways is proud to participate in the Atlanta-Baghdad Airlift,"

said Chairman and CEO Hollis Harris. "We have the first plane set

to go and we are working very closely with the appropriate U.S.-government

officials in order to secure a landing slot at Baghdad International just

as soon as commercial aircraft are permitted to land. Our aim is to support

International Medical Corps as they raise money to fill this plane and

perhaps send another plane or two into Baghdad. We believe that many will

answer this call to action."

Donations in

support of the airlift can be made by calling Leslie Thurman or Jennifer

Uyei of IMC at (310) 826-7800 or on the web at www.imcworldwide.org.

World Airways,

headquartered in Peachtree City, is a global charter airline providing

passenger and cargo service to destinations around the world offering

all jet service with their fleet of DC10 and MD11 aircraft.

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