New York, NY — March, 2010

In response to the magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck Chile on the morning of February 27, 2010, La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. has joined Direct Relief International in their efforts to assist Chilean authorities, emergency relief organizations, and U.S.-based partners working in Chile.

In the immediate aftermath of an emergency, search and rescue operations and damage assessments are essential priorities to save lives and organize appropriate response efforts.

Direct Relief International has committed up to $100,000 in cash and is drawing upon its standing medical material inventory of $57 million (wholesale) to respond to medical needs following the 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile.

Through its partner the Education Foundation for Economic and Social Development (FEDES) in Chile, Direct Relief is providing medical aid to the General Hospital of Curicó, which collapsed in the earthquake. The hospital, which is located in the heavily affected region of Maule, has established temporary facilities in a nearby school and in a tent hospital. The hospital has requested a variety of materials, including surgical instruments, medical supplies, and personal hygiene items for displaced families.

In order to donate towards our relief efforts please click on the following link:
http://dri.convio.net/goto/la_unidad

Lambda Upsilon Lambda and Direct Relief International will continue our relief efforts in order to provide the necessary assistance to the people of Chile.

---

Since its inception in 1982, La Unidad Latina has remained on the vanguard of political and community empowerment by developing influential leaders that strive to exert knowledge and power into its peers in order to attain mutual success. We commit ourselves to academic excellence, leadership development and cultural enlightenment, enhanced by a diverse cognizant membership. La Hermandad strives to preserve and promote an inclusive intellectual environment for its members, in addition to the general community.

Founded in 1948, Direct Relief is a Santa Barbara, California-based nonprofit organization focused on improving quality of life by bringing critically needed medicines and supplies to local healthcare providers worldwide. Direct Relief has provided more than $1 billion in privately funded humanitarian aid since 2000, including more than $150 million in assistance in the United States. It has earned a fundraising efficiency score of 99 percent or better from Forbes for the past eight years, and is ranked by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as California’s largest international nonprofit organization based on private support. For more information, please visit www.DirectRelief.org.