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Emergency
Immediate aid + ongoing assistance = a stronger healthier future
When disaster strikes here at home, our emergency response team mobilizes immediately, reaching out to clinics in our network of 400 partners to deliver the right aid to survivors in urgent need. But we don’t stop there: we follow up with field visits and ongoing recovery assistance for communities in crisis.
- In 2013, we're responding to the devastating tornado that shattered parts of Oklahoma City along with other violent storms throughout the South, we continue our large-scale Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, while we prepare for hurricanes and tornadoes before they strike.
- In 2012, we responded to Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Isaac, wildfires in Colorado, midsummer storms in West Virginia, Tropical Storm Debby, tornadoes in Kentucky and Oklahoma
- In 2011, a year of record-setting tornado outbreaks, devastating floods, wildfires, and storms, AmeriCares delivered nearly $3 million in emergency aid for disaster survivors, along with more than $600,000 in disaster recovery grants to help more than 62,000 people recover and prepare for future emergencies.
From Hurricane Sandy, to Hurricane Katrina, to the Joplin tornado, to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, AmeriCares has been on the scene, delivering crucial help, reduce human suffering, and help communities recover.
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Response
The first 48 hours of an emergency are the most critical. We strategically pre-position emergency relief supplies at partner clinics in disaster-prone areas across the U.S. so we are ready to respond at a moment’s notice with shipments of emergency aid to fill urgent healthcare gaps, including:
- Chronic care medicines for survivors suffering from diabetes, heart disease and asthma
- Tetanus vaccines
- First aid medicines and supplies
- Family emergency kits and clean-up kits: for the displaced including personal care items and cleaning supplies
- Bottled water for first responders and survivors without access to safe drinking water.
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Recovery
In 2011, AmeriCares launched its U.S. disaster recovery grants program to help more than 62,000 people in communities shattered by disaster move forward and build a healthier future.
Looking ahead, we aim to provide ongoing recovery assistance for disaster survivors, when needed, in three areas:
- Restoring health care services
- Providing mental health support
- Enhancing disaster preparedness
More information on our U.S. emergency response and recovery:
Recommended News...
AmeriCares emergency response team has been deployed to Oklahoma to assess urgent needs and coordinate deliveries of medical and emergency aid.
Stamford, Conn. – May 20, 2013 – AmeriCares is deploying an emergency response team to Oklahoma City to coordinate deliveries of relief supplies and medical aid for tornado survivors. The aid organization has reached out to health clinics, food banks and nonprofit organizations in the region with offers of assistance.
AmeriCares Hurricane Sandy relief and recovery teams have been working nonstop with clinics, shelters, and partners to deliver aid and emergency grants to ease the suffering of families in need throughout the tri-state area.
Stamford, Conn. – May 2, 2013 – Twenty Sandy-damaged homes in Connecticut and New York are slated to get much-needed repairs from AmeriCares Hurricane Sandy Relief Program.
Stamford, Conn. – April 29, 2013 – AmeriCares delivered $4.5 million in grants and donated relief supplies to help more than 400,000 storm victims recover from Hurricane Sandy, according to a new report from the global health and disaster relief organization. The six-month report, published today on americares.org, details the progress of AmeriCares Hurricane Sandy Relief Program in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
AmeriCares is providing grant funding for modular ramps to help disabled New Jersey residents return to Sandy-damaged homes.
Counseling for storm victims is a key component of AmeriCares Sandy relief program. Six months after the hurricane, we have awarded more than $600,000 in funding to meet the mental health needs of New York and New Jersey residents.
Stamford, Conn. – April 24, 2013 – AmeriCares and the YMCA of Greater New York have launched a counseling program for children at risk of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

United States Disasters
