Response to OPIC on Operation Eyesight Universal

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000092 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR E, EB/DCT, WHA/EX, WHA/CAN STATE PASS OPIC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN EINV CA SUBJECT: Response to OPIC on Operation Eyesight Universal Foundation SENSTIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY REF: SECSTATE 05678 ¶1. (SBU) The health NGO Operation Eyesight Universal Foundation (OEUF) is well known and highly regarded in Canada. USAID's Canadian counterpart, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA),cites OEUF as having been a key partner for more than thirty years. The 2007 OEUF annual report indicates that the organization's expansion into Canada was at CIDA's behest so that the CIDA could channel aid more effectively to vision projects abroad. At the sub-national level, OEUF fundraising projects have been initiated and supported by individual Canadians, charitable foundations, and community service groups (such as Rotary and Lions) across the country. ¶2. (SBU) Although a comprehensive review of OEUF board members is not possible within the scope of this research, a survey of public media suggests the board comprises 'who's who' of the Canadian philanthropic community with ties.