According to the United Nations, every dollar spent on preparedness saves seven dollars in disaster response. Our investment in preparedness ensures that we as an organization—as well as our partners and the communities we serve—are better equipped to save lives and preserve health during the next disaster. Garrett Ingoglia, Vice-President of Emergency Response at AmeriCares

In 2012, we initiated our global pre-positioning program and supported disaster training for first responders. And today we continue funding for partners to pre-position disaster relief supplies in 12 disaster-prone countries—many at risk from hurricanes and tropical storms—including the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Guatemala. In addition we work with partner organizations here at home to pre-position emergency supplies and strengthen emergency planning.

Overall, our Disaster Preparedness efforts have already helped crucial aid quickly reach flood survivors in Pakistan, the Philippines, Colombia, India and Indonesia.

From experience derived in over three decades of responding to global emergencies, we continue to expand our disaster preparedness planning: 

• In warehouses and clinics around the world and here at home, we work with partners to pre-positioned medicines, shelter supplies, family emergency kits, and household clean-up kits that protect health when disaster strikes. 
• Global Pre-Positioning Initiative, launched in early 2012 and aimed at drastically reducing the amount of time it takes to respond, awards grants of up to $10,000 to partner organizations in countries susceptible to natural disasters. The funds are used to purchase emergency supplies such as water purification tablets, mosquito nets, sleeping mats and personal care items that can be distributed to people in need within 72 hours of a disaster. These supplies help curb the spread of infectious disease and provide comfort to displaced families while we work with partners to prepare additional shipments of emergency medical and humanitarian aid.
• U.S.  Disaster Initiative: To strengthen response efforts in disaster-prone communities that have suffered through tornadoes, floods and wildfires in the Midwest and South and Superstorm Sandy in the Northeast, AmeriCares has awarded grants for model emergency preparedness programs, training and crucial equipment to help partners continue providing care during power outages and develop plans for sheltering people with medical needs.