THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING

Fred Cuny (1944-1995) -Disaster Relief Innovator

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Introduction

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Fred Cuny was a disaster relief specialist who used his training in engineering to do humanitarian work. He worked in countries such as Biafra, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Iraq, Somalia, and Bosnia. In March 1995, he disappeared in Chechnya and was never found. His life was featured on the PBS documentary program Frontline.

• Fred Cuny Background
• Biafra (1969): The Beginning of Full-time Disaster Relief Work
• Guatemala (1976): Earthquake Relief
• Ethiopia (1985): Famine
• Iraq (1991): The Kurds
• Somalia (1992): The War Zone and Famine
• Bosnia (1993): The Water Filtration System
• Chechnya (1995): The Disappearance
• Frontline: The Lost American
• Supplementary Information

Most of the information contained herein is drawn from the Frontline documentary on Fred Cuny, the Cuny section of the PBS web site, and "Professional Responsibilty: Focusing on the Exemplary," by Michael S. Pritchard of Western Michigan University.

You can find more information on these materials and other Cuny-related sources in sections 9 and 10.

• Background Information

  Background information on Fred Cuny, disaster relief specialist.

• Biafra (1969)

  Fred Cuny's disaster relief work began in Biafra, where he realized more engineers were needed to help people in need.

• Guatemala (1976)

  An article about Fred Cuny's work in Guatemala in 1976 after an earthquake.

• Ethiopia (1985)

  During the Ethiopian famine of 1985, Fred Cuny redesigned refugee camps in the Sudan and successfully stood up to the UN to help farmers return home for planting.

• Iraq (1991)

  After the Persian Gulf war, Fred Cuny worked to repatriate Kurds in Northern Iraq.

• Somalia (1992)

  An article about Fred Cuny's work in Somalia and his plans for disaster relief.

• Bosnia (1993)

• Chechnya (1995)

  Fred Cuny's final mission, to attempt to negotiate a cease-fire in Chechnya, ended with his disappearance.

• Frontline

  An article about the PBS documentary series 'Frontline', which featured Fred Cuny's life in 'The Lost American'.

• Supplementary Information

  List of supplementary information of the life and work of Fred Cuny.

National Academy of Engineering

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