AmeriCares emergency response experts in India recently provided lifesaving medical supplies and treatment to victims of a fierce tornado that swept through Orissa on India's east coast on the Bay of Bengal. The brutal storm killed 16 people, hospitalized 200 patients and affected 18,000 others.
At two medical relief camps set up in Orissa, hundreds of the injured patiently lined up to receive care alongside downed power lines and homes with missing rooftops. Broken bones and severe bruising were common among the battered villagers, who were sometimes trapped under collapsed walls, hit by flying debris and tossed high into the air by strong winds.
Dr. Purvish Parikh, vice president and managing director of AmeriCares India, participated in the relief efforts and reports on the success of the medical camps.
“Thanks to the medicines and supplies provided by AmeriCares India, we were able to help the surviving villagers who were devastated by this tornado,” said Dr. Parikh.
The relief team examined close to 500 people, treating fractures and administering much-needed medicines, including antibiotics to fight infection, pain medicines, eye-drops and vitamins. In addition to homes and schools, food supplies were demolished by the storm.
Packets of nutritional supplements were distributed to the relief of malnourished families. And to help those who lost all of their belongings to the storm, clothing was provided to more than 80 children in the tornado-ravaged region.
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