Americares team arrives in the Bahamas
STAMFORD — An emergency response team representing the Stamfordbased relief organization Americares arrived in the Bahamas on Wednesday to provide help after Hurricane Dorian hit the Grand Bahama Island on Sunday as a Category 5 storm.
The storm flattened communities, destroyed roads and left portions of the island nation under water. In response, two Americares team members went to the Bahamas and spent their first full day on site Thursday. They were assessing the health needs of residents and coordinating with local and national organizations responding to the crisis.
“Thousands of families have been displaced and are in need of immediate assistance,” Americares Vice President of Emergency Programs Kate Dischino said. “We have an emergency team in country and medical aid and relief supplies ready to ship. Americares is focused on meeting survivors’ most urgent health needs.”
The two team members, representing the Stamford and Houston offices of Americares, are also preparing emergency shipments of medicine and relief supplies. If needed, Americares will deploy emergency medical teams and staff experienced in providing mental health services to disaster survivors.
At the same time, the healthfocused relief and development organization has an emergency response team on standby in Florida, ready to respond in affected communities across the southern United States as Dorian heads up the East Coast.
The organization has responded to many storms that have ravaged the U.S., including Hurricanes Sandy, Harvey, Irma, Maria and Michael.
Americares stocks emergency medicine and supplies in warehouses in the U.S., Europe and India that can be delivered quickly in times of crisis, and emergency response teams are prepared to travel to assess needs and provide relief on a moment’s notice.
Each year, Americares reaches more than 90 countries, including the United States, with health programs, medicine and medical supplies. It is the world’s leading nonprofit provider of donated medicine and medical supplies.
The organization responds to about 30 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes longterm recovery projects and brings disaster preparedness programs to vulnerable communities. Since its founding 40 years ago, Americares has provided more than $17 billion in aid to 164 countries, including the United States.
Donations to Americares Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund will support its response to the crisis. Gifts up to $10,000 will be doubled until 11:59 p.m. Friday. To donate, go to americares.org/dorianfund.