Emergency Programs

A Year of Emergencies

In FY 2021, Americares initiated 42 total responses (26 new) to natural disasters, man-made crises and disease outbreaks reaching 37 countries, including the U.S. The past year and more have highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of overlapping crises – driven by climate threats and the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend has had a devastating impact on health, particularly among groups vulnerable to disasters, as communities have struggled to rebuild from concurrent and consecutive events.

We have responded to a season of record-breaking hurricane and wildfires. The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season set a record for total cost of the storms with 21 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher). In addition, the U.S. 2021 fire season has been devastating with fires burning in as many as 15 states at the peak of the season consuming millions of acres. Our responses have also included support for other natural and man-made disasters.  Scroll down to find out more about the places and people that have confronted crisis – past and present.