Medical Aid Reaches Hurricane Survivors

Forty days after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, Elia had empty prescription bottles and no way to refill them. Without power, pharmacies could not access patient records or insurance plans. “I can’t get medicine because there’s no data system,” Elia says. Elia was living without electricity or water; lack of medicine was adding to her worries. She needs medicine daily to control her blood pressure and diabetes.

No power. No records. No medicine. A health crisis for Elia.

Beginning immediately after the hurricane, Americares delivered medicine and medical supplies to more than 60 health centers on the island and brought medical teams to communities including Moca, in western Puerto Rico, where Elia lives. On an 85-degree November day, Elia was one of 60 patients who received care and medication from Americares medical team at no cost.

Americares Hurricane Response

Americares emergency response teams are in action in Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as the Caribbean island nation of Dominica, helping people in crisis and keeping people like Elia healthy.