For 34 years, VITA has been helping people in developing countries improve the quality of their lives through the provision of information services. VITA's oldest service, the Inquiry Service, enlists VITA volunteers to answer requests about a variety of development issues that come from around the world. Information is disseminated further by VITA's weekly Voice of America radio program and VITA's electronic newsletter. VITA also offers information management courses. In order to facilitate the transfer of information, VITA developed a global communications program -- VITAcomm. VITAcomm consists of digital low earth orbiting satellite and terrestrial radio systems, as well as electronic mail/bulletin board networks. VITAcomm technologies can be used anywhere in the world -- even where suitable telephone links and standard electrical grids are not available. VITA's participation in information and communications networks enhances its field projects located around the world. The projects address a variety of issues including enterprise development, agriculture, rural rehabilitation, renewable energy, and protection of the environment. Each program corresponds to the socio-economic and cultural realities of the country or region in focus. VITA also operates the Disaster Information Resource Program, which makes available situation reports, travel advisories, and other disaster-related information to relief agencies around the world. For more than six years, VITA has worked with the Agency for International Development (AID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) to provide an information and response service to the public at the time of an international disaster. For the past two years VITA has been working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in a similar capacity for domestic situations. Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA) 1600 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 500 Arlington, Virginia 22209 USA voice : 703/276-1800 internet : vita@vita.org fax : 703/243-1865 bbs : 703/527-1086 (9600 8N1) .