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Our Timeline


Since our founding in 1979, Americares has responded to dozens of humanitarian disasters and launched long-term health programs that increase access to health services for millions of people.
Here are some highlights from our 45-year history:

1979
1979
Bob Macauley
Americares Milestone
Americares, an international disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization is founded by Bob and Leila Macauley.
1982
1982
First airlift to poland
Americares Milestone
First Airlift
Americares delivers an airlift of medicines and medical supplies—totaling $1.5 million—to Poland, following a request from Pope John Paul II.
1985
1985
World Event
Ethiopia Famine
Americares airlifits provide medicine, supplies and food
1988
1988
Armenia
World Event
Armenia Earthquake
Americares is the first humanitarian organization to respond, which killed 25,000 and left 500,000 homeless.
Americares Milestone
Homefront (now a separate nonprofit) is launched by Americares to offer free repairs to low-income homeowners in Connecticut and New York.
1994
1994
Opening the Free Clinics
Americares Milestone
The first of four Americares Free Clinics in Connecticut, the Bob Macauley Free Clinic of Norwalk, opens.
World Event
Rwanda Humanitarian Crisis
Americares organizes six airlifts with critical medicine and supplies and constructs a field hospital for returning refugees.
1995
1995
Americares Milestone
Camp AmeriKids (now The Elm Project) is established to provide an enriching summer camp experience for affected by chronic disease such as HIV and sickle cell disease.
1997
1997
Opening of Danbury Clinic
Americares Milestone
Americares founder Bob Macauley is honored with the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award.
World Event
U.S. Severe Flooding
Americares responds to severe flooding in the U.S. Midwest and Northwest with shipments of relief supplies.
2001
2001
World Event
World Trade Center attack
Americares arranges for seven helicopters to deliver emergency supplies and medical teams to Ground Zero.
2003
2003
El Salvador clinic opens HQ Opens
Americares Milestone
Americares opens the Fred Weisman Americares Free Clinic of Bridgeport, the third Americares in Connecticut.
Americares celebrates its relocation to 88 Hamilton Avenue in Stamford, CT, from New Canaan, CT.
World Event
Iraq Humanitarian Crisis
Americares delivers more than $8 million in aid to Baghdad and Kirkuk.
2004
2004
Southeast Asia Tsunami
World Event
Southeast Asia Tsunami
Americares deploys an emergency response team within 24 hours, launching a 10-year response valued at $45 million to India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
2005
2005
Katrina
World Event
Hurricane Katrina
Americares deploys response teams, delivers medicine and supplies and, to Baton Rouge, LA, a mobile health center. In the first year, Americares provides more than $11 million in aid.
Pakistan 7.6 magnitude earthquake
Americares sends three airlifts, the last includes one million doses of life-saving vaccines for children.
Americares Milestone
Americares distribution of medicines and medical supplies after Hurricane Katrina paves the way for growth in our U.S. Program, which serves low-income patients who lack access to quality health care.
2006
2006
World Event
Darfur Humanitarian Crisis
Americares delivers three airlifts of life-saving medicines
Americares Milestone
Americares India operations begin.
2008
2008
China Earthquake response
World Event
Szechuan, China, 8.0-Magnitude Earthquake
Americares responds with shipments of medicine and supplies and two field hospitals.
2010
2010
Haiti Earthquake relief
World Event
Haiti 7.0-Magnitude Earthquake and cholera outbreak
Americares responds immediately with a team of response experts and, over five years, 1,800 shipments of medicine and supplies, including those needed to control and prevent cholera outbreaks.
Americares Milestone
Americares establishes a country office in Mwanza, Tanzania, and begins long-term health programming with partners across Haiti. Americares reaches $10 billion in aid milestone.
Americares reaches $10 billion in medical aid milestone.
2011
2011
Japan Earthquake response
World Event
Japan 8.9-Magnitude Earthquake, Tsunami and Radiation disaster
Americares brings extensive project support valued at nearly $9 million to restore access to health services – including mental health.
2012
2012
Superstorm Sandy
World Event
Superstorm Sandy
For Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, Americares provides more than $7.1 million in aid, including 3 million relief items and support to 115 hospitals and community groups providing mutual aid.
2013
2013
Haiyan
World Event
Philippines Super Typhoon Haiyan
In one year, Americares delivers $21 million in aid to restore health services, reconstruct 74 health facilities and prepare for future emergencies.
Americares Milestone
Americares India mobile health centers reach 100,000 patient consultations.
2014
2014
Ebola Outbreak in Liberia
World Event
Ebola Outbreak
Americares manages and provides staff for Ebola treatment centers in Liberia and delivers personal protective equipment to over 100 local health care partners in West Africa.
Americares Milestone
Americares Philippines office established.
Americares opens a warehouse in Liberia to expand long-term health programming.
2015
2015
Nepal
World Event
Nepal 7.8-Magnitude Earthquake
In the first year after the quake, Americares provides more than $25 million in medicine, supplies and project support, including for mental health.
2016
2016
Americares Milestone
Americares launches a new brand identity. New Look, Same Mission
2017
2017
Hurricane Harvey
World Event
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria
Americares responds in Texas, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Dominica, over two years, rebuilding,11 health centers, training 8,400+ workers and providing $40+ million in medicine and supplies.
2018
2018
Americares Milestone
Americares Puerto Rico office established.
Americares opens its first medical clinic in Colombia.
2020
2020
COVID
World Event
COVID-19 Global Pandemic
Americares global response includes more than 18 million supplies, training for health workers in 16 countries and campaigns to address vaccine hesitancy and encourage mask wearing.
Americares Milestone
Americares reaches $20 billion in aid delivered.
2022
2022
Ukraine Aid
World Event
Ukraine War
In two years after Russia’s invasion, Americares delivers more than 500 tons of medicine and supplies and project support to 83 local organizations, valued at more than $121 million.
Americares Milestone
Americares achieves WHO Emergency Medical Team certification.
2023
2023
Sample Image
World Event
Türkiye-Syria 7.8-Magnitude Earthquake
In the year after the quake, Americares provides 16 local partners with $3 million in aid, including 18+ tons of medicine and medical supplies to 29 health facilities in Syria.
Gaza Humanitarian Crisis
Within 7 months of Oct. 7, Americares provides 19 tons of medicine and medical supplies, as well as funding for partners with staff in Gaza and Israel.
Maui Wildfires
Americares supports local organizations with medicine and a portable clinic and increases capacity for mental health care.
2024
Americares Milestone
With more than 700 employees worldwide, Americares celebrates its 45th year of saving lives and improving health.

1979

1979

Americares Milestones

Americares, an international disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization is founded by Bob and Leila Macauley.