Update Summer 2000
Humanitarian AID
IPOPI was formed to benefit and serve the member organisations
and patients with PIDs around the world. Over the course of the
years, IPOPI has developed a Strategic Plan which covers three main
aims: Communication, Representation and Service. Many efforts and
resources are directed towards Communication and Representation,
but we feel a moral duty to serve countries in need of humanitarian
aid, and to support those trying to establish new national organisations.
The severe shortage of immunoglobulins that has affected many
countries has made the supply for humanitarian aid, an even more
difficult problem to solve. However, we never leave anything untried.
IPOPI is grateful to CLB, Holland for the donation of C1 Inhibitor
for 4 young patients with Hereditary Angioedema in Serbia. C1 Inhibitor
is scarce and expensive and we deeply appreciate CLB's contribution.
This is not the first time that CLB has moved in to help. Large
quantities of IVIG were provided in the past to children in Belgrade.
Many thanks to CLB from everyone at IPOPI.
Communications with Russia has become complex. Vladimir was making
good process in his attempt to establish a patient organisation,
with the help of Prof. Etziomi. Sadly, Vladimir lost his child some
months ago, this and the fact that Prof. Etziomi is currently abroad,
have brought organisational efforts to a grinding halt.
With the help Dr.Chapel, Prof. Etziomi and Janne Remmel, our Trustee
from Estonia, we are now trying to establish new contacts.
Mr. Pawan Kumar Gaddi, succeeded in establishing a national patient
organisation in India. At the beginning of 2000 IPOPI welcomed NPOPI
as a full voting member. Ig availability in India is very poor.
The young NPOPI organisation has little resources and is not yet
able to face the situation on its own. We now launch and appeal
on their behalf for donated immunoglobulin.
Dragana, from Belgrade, once said that IPOPI has made many "miracles"
. IPOPI relies on the generosity of people and we trust that this
appeal will also be answered. |
