Colombia: Medical Aid and Emergency Relief
Colombia has endured more than 40 years of civil conflict which has forced over 3 million men, women and children from their homes. The surge of rural citizens to overpopulated cities and towns has placed an enormous strain on extremely limited national health services and sanitation systems. Government assistance for the displaced families remains underfunded, ineffective and difficult to obtain.
According to the World Health Organization, deadly diseases including malaria, dengue fever and pneumonia pose major public health problems. More than one in ten Colombian children suffers from malnutrition, which reduces their immune systems, slows development and complicates illnesses. That's why AmeriCares sends lifesaving medicines and medical supplies to help local partners on the ground provide quality health care to help the Colombian people.
Recent Aid to Columbia
Recent AmeriCares aid to Colombia includes medicines and medical supplies to help people suffering from serious infections, injuries, dehydration, gastrointestinal diseases, skin infections, heart disease, pain, high fevers, mental illness and maternal health complications. It also includes personal hygiene items and nutritional supplements.
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Emergency Response and Disaster Relief
AmeriCares began providing aid to Colombia in 1985, in response to the volcanic eruption of Navado del Ruiz. This eruption destroyed thousands of homes, killed over 25,000 people, and remains the fourth deadliest volcanic explosion in recorded history. AmeriCares provided emergency relief supplies to survivors through a series of seven airlifts and two sea shipments.
Medical Relief and Humanitarian Aid
Since 1985, AmeriCares has delivered more than $46 million worth of medicines, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid to Colombia. AmeriCares continues to provide ongoing medical aid to Colombia through a partnership with the Colombian Order of Malta. Their "Gift of Life" project (Brindando Vida) brings teams of physicians to the most isolated and marginalized regions of the Amazon jungle, Pacific Coast and desert.
During typical 3-4 day sessions, nearly 1,300 people are treated at their temporary field hospitals – including over 150 surgeries. The experienced medical teams are able to work almost anywhere, performing major surgeries in a portable emergency room tent.
The Gift of Life Project works with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) which evacuates seriously ill and injured patients via airplane or helicopter to more advanced urban medical centers. AmeriCares supports the programs with donations of essential medicines including antibiotics and pain medicines as well as other critical supplies.
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