Hit the Ground Listening

Many of our responders are in the field in advance of storms or other disasters listening to and coordinating with government and health sector partners, assessing the preparedness of local health centers, and pre-positioning medicine and supplies. Quick support helps local health centers keep their doors open and treat patients – not only providing medical care to existing patients but expand as needed to support patients from surrounding communities.

Find Local Partners

Making early contact with our strong network of local health partners, we can assess damages, identify and meet immediate health needs more quickly and effectively. Our partnership-based model enables us to build local capacity while maintaining a light footprint. It’s important for our work to reinforce the established health system rather than creating a parallel system where survivors become dependent on unsustainable services.

Early intervention means a rapid damage assessment and immediate adaptation to changing circumstances and needs on the ground. Every disaster unfolds differently and real time information from partners on the ground can ensure that the right resources reach the right people at the right time. Delays can put lives at risk.

Save Lives

We meet urgent health needs of survivors in shelters and those cut off from care, often in remote areas. Getting medicine and supplies and immediate care to the most vulnerable survivors saves lives. In Puerto Rico, Florida, Haiti and so many other communities devastated by storms and other disasters, our work serves those most in need of health care.

Health Care Access

In a disaster, we use several approaches to provide access to health care where and when it is needed. One approach utilizes a mobile medical clinic. Americares has been certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an Emergency Medical Team Type 1 – Mobile provider. Mobile status denotes the organization’s ability to provide primary care services, stabilize patients with acute trauma injuries and refer patients for specialized care, with the flexibility to work across a wide range of locations. Watch the video for a guided tour of one of our mobile medical clinics.

Supply Line

Logistics

Decades of logistics expertise mean effective movement of medicines and supplies for survivors, often forced from their homes quickly without their medications. With damaged infrastructure, that capability is essential in reaching people who lose access to basic services. We even hand deliver medicine – whatever it takes. In extended disasters, people displaced for weeks and months need medication for chronic conditions. We help to maintain supply lines all the way to our neighbors in need.

Emergency Outreach

Caring for the Vulnerable

We focus on the most vulnerable, including low-income patients, the elderly, and individuals with access and functional needs. In communities with health centers operating at limited capacity, we activate emergency medical teams, reaching hundreds of people. For house bound patients, the teams may add home visits to get patients the needed care. For those with urgent health conditions, like dialysis patients, we may transport them to functioning facilities for life-saving treatment.

Access to Care

Local Health Centers

A damaged health center limits access to care. We provide emergency repairs and supplies to restore operations or set up temporary space where health workers can treat patients. When power is lost, we may supply generator fuel or even a new generator. In Puerto Rico after Maria, we supplied fuel and replaced vaccines that had been rendered ineffective with lost refrigeration. We are committed to keeping local health centers open, providing their staff with resources to serve their community.

“Americares provides a benefit to the community under regular circumstances but having that relationship with an organization that is an expert in disaster response and is able to provide boots on the ground is of tremendous value. I don’t think you can put a dollar amount on that.”

Heidi W. Bunyan, COO of San Jose Clinic, Houston TX

A History of Helping.

Americares responds to more than 30 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings preparedness programs to communities vulnerable to disasters. Americares relief workers are among the first to respond to emergencies and stay as long as needed, helping to restore health services for survivors.