Oregon Public Broadcasting

One of Oregon’s leading international aid agencies is blaming a down economy and diminished donations for layoffs, announced Wednesday.

Medical Teams International sends doctors and medical supplies to areas affected by natural disasters and other problems.

Spokeswoman Marlene Minor says the nine people losing their jobs are part of a small administrative core. She says the non-profit is trying to insulate programs from cuts, though it couldn’t entirely.

Marlene Minor: “We tried to make sure that the emphasis for the cuts in programs was for programs we were winding down. And we tried to make sure that the programs we would keep going were are those for people who are most affected by natural disasters and life-saving ventures right now.”

Minor says she couldn’t say which specific countries would lose their programs, because the people there haven’t heard yet.

Oregon’s other major international non-profit, Mercy Corps, may be faring a little better. A spokeswoman says she’s seen some encouraging numbers for year-end giving, and the non-profit had a record-setting year for its grant earnings.