Americares ramping up Bahamas relief efforts
STAMFORD — An Americares emergencyresponse team is increasig its relief work in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian devastated parts of the island nation, and workers are busy providing health care and medical services.
The Stamfordbased relief agency is helping at a shelter where 400 adults and children were housed after the ravages of the hurricane last week.
“With health centers damaged or destroyed there is an urgent need to treat survivors with injuries and serious health conditions,” Americares Emergency Response Team Leader Sambhavi Cheemalapati said from Nassau, the island nation’s capital. “We are seeing the biggest demand in evacuation shelters filled with the most vulnerable survivors. Many have lost everything, including homes and loved ones, and have suffered enormous trauma.”
The Americares medical team includes a physician and a mental health expert, as well as nurses, emergency medical technicians and clinical coordinators experienced in providing care in disaster situations, according to the nonprofit organization. The team includes representatives from the Stamford office.
The organization is delivering emergency shipments of medicine and relief supplies for survivors. Americares is working with the local government, and other local and international organizations responding to the crisis.
Hundreds of Bahamians are missing since Hurricane Dorian hit as a Category 5 storm on Sept. 1 through Sept. 3, while the official death count stands at at least 50 and is expected to rise.
Donations to Americares Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund will support its response to the crisis.
To donate, go to americares.org/dorianfund.