In 2011, America has been hard hit by deadly
outbreaks of violent tornadoes, as well as massive flooding along the
Mississippi River and wildfires in the South. AmeriCares responded immediately and has delivered over $2.7 million
in aid for survivors in 13 states.
An
additional $500,000 in grants has been earmarked for helping damaged safety net
clinics rebuild, along with crucial medicines and supplies to help hard-hit
communities recover. Currently, in response to an urgent need for water in
drought-ravaged Oklahoma, AmeriCares is sending two truckloads with a total of
64,000 water bottles for distribution to children attending local schools.
A Tale of Two Tornadoes
2011
is on record as one of the deadliest tornado years in U.S. history, claiming more
than 500 lives, leaving tens of thousands homeless, and damaging billions in
property. AmeriCares has sent medical and humanitarian aid to eight storm-battered
states, helping people in the hardest-hit areas of Joplin MO,
Tuscaloosa and
Birmingham, AL, Smithville, MS,
and Sanford, NC.
Within days of the deadly tornado in Joplin, Mo. that killed more than 150 and destroyed 6,000 homes, AmeriCares delivered medicines and supplies for clinics treating survivors, including those in need of chronic care medications, along with thousands of tetanus vaccines to protect victims from infection from rubble and debris.
In Smithville, Miss., where a tornado in late April ripped the roof off a free clinic, AmeriCares funded a temporary structure and delivered medicines and supplies to help the clinic continue to treat patients in desperate need.
AmeriCares responds immediately to disasters: tornadoes in the South, hurricanes in the Gulf, floods in the Pacific Northwest, wildfires in the West. Wherever disaster strikes in the U.S. and around the world, we are ready to help save lives and restore health and hope.
