Established in 1994, the fund enables the Department to respond to crises or humanitarian requests on behalf of foreign national employees working for the U.S. government. In the cases of FSNs involved in the recent bombings, the fund will help defray costs not covered by the U.S. government, such as lodging for the family of an injured FSN who were medevaced with him for care in Germany. Recent tragedies have caused the Emergency Relief Fund to run low, so additional contributions will allow State to respond quickly and compassionately to this and other emergencies like those caused by recent floods in West Africa and Hurricane Georges in the Dominican Republic. Contributions may be made by check payable to the Department of State and earmarked for the Foreign National Emergency Relief Fund. The fund assists locally employed staff of all agencies, not just the Department of State.
Donations are tax deductible.
Combined Federal Campaign Continues The State Department's 1998 Combined Federal Campaign continues through Dec. 18. Employees are encouraged to give through the payroll deduction plan, which allows contributors to spread a donation over the entire year in relatively small amounts. Employees may designate up to five charities, officials noted. Employees serving overseas are reminded that international service agencies are one of the major groupings under the CFC umbrella. Last year, these international agencies reached an estimated 150 million people in more than 100 countries.