Mariana Islands
Stamford, Conn. – Nov. 2, 2018 – Americares is deploying medical teams and more than four tons of medicine and supplies to meet the immediate health needs of Typhoon Yutu survivors in the Northern Mariana Islands.
The emergency shipment, which includes antibiotics, wound-care supplies, tetanus vaccine and essential health and hygiene products valued at more than $1.8 million, is expected to arrive next week.
Americares is also deploying medical professionals including doctors, nurses and a pharmacist, to Saipan to provide surge support at health centers impacted by the storm. Americares will also dispatch mental health professionals to provide support for survivors in Saipan and Tinian.
“Health facilities are experiencing an increase in demand for care in the aftermath of the typhoon,” said Americares Vice President of Emergency Programs Kate Dischino. “Our support will help ensure survivors get the care they need.”
A super typhoon the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, Yutu made a direct hit on the Northern Mariana Islands in the Western Pacific on Oct. 25 flattening neighborhoods, displacing thousands of residents and causing massive power outages. The U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency in the U.S. territory. Yutu’s destruction continued in the Philippines as the storm swept across the island of Luzon Tuesday local time with wind gusts of up to 140 mph.
Americares responds to an average of 30 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings disaster preparedness programs to vulnerable communities.