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Urgently needed medicine and emergency supplies are bringing crucial relief to 1,000 families in the Philippines, where Tropical Storm Saola has forced 500,000 people to flee their homes in one of the worst flood disasters in years. Initially, more than 80 percent of Manila was under water, affecting an estimated 2.4 million people – amid forecasts of more torrential rain in coming weeks.
When disaster struck, AmeriCares was ready. Earlier in 2012, well in advance of the rainy season, we initiated a two-pronged approach to strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response in the Philippines:
- A $10,000 “pre-positioning” grant was awarded to our long-standing local partner, the Sovereign Order of Malta, enabling them to purchase crucial supplies that were available for immediate distribution to displaced families. These supplies – including sleeping mats, mosquito nets, pain relievers, shampoo, soap, and toothbrushes – were especially helpful to survivors, some of whom were found stranded on rooftops, left with no belongings. This is part of our global initiative to pre-position critical emergency supplies in countries at the highest risk from disasters.
- Medications and supplies were shipped to Manila well ahead of seasonal flooding to ensure our partner’s shelves were well stocked. This advance planning and logistical coordination enabled pain relievers and other medications to rapidly reach those in urgent need.
So far, the immediate response has centered on the distribution of food and AmeriCares humanitarian aid to survivors living in evacuation shelters. AmeriCares remains in close contact with partners, amid reports of diarrheal disease and leptospirosis resulting from flooding and poor sanitation. The Order of Malta continues to assess the situation, to plan distributions of AmeriCares aid in line with local need and in close collaboration with other medical humanitarian agencies.
In December, 2011, AmeriCares collaborated with partners to help thousands of victims of Tropical Storm Washi. AmeriCares has worked with partners in the Philippines since 1985, delivering more than $180 million worth of medicines, medical supplies and humanitarian aid across the country.
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