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Stamford's AmeriCares Sends Aid Shipments To Philippines

STAMFORD, Conn. -- A first shipment of medical aid -- enough to help 20,000 typhoon survivors -- is on its way from an Amsterdam warehouse to the Philippines, Stamford-based AmeriCares announced in a statement Tuesday. 

9.8 million people have been affected by the typhoon. As of November 11, more than 650,000 people have been displaced, nearly 400,000 people inside 1,316 evacuation shelters.

9.8 million people have been affected by the typhoon. As of November 11, more than 650,000 people have been displaced, nearly 400,000 people inside 1,316 evacuation shelters.

 Photo Credit: AmeriCares Facebook Page
Flash floods, landslides and wind damage were reported in several provinces.

Flash floods, landslides and wind damage were reported in several provinces.

Photo Credit: AmeriCares Facebook Page
A new emergency shipment is being built in our Stamford warehouse. The shipment contains, hygiene kits, medicines and supplies for displaced survivors. One shipment has already left our Amsterdam warehouse and another is scheduled for later this week

A new emergency shipment is being built in our Stamford warehouse. The shipment contains, hygiene kits, medicines and supplies for displaced survivors. One shipment has already left our Amsterdam warehouse and another is scheduled for later this week

 Photo Credit: AmeriCares Facebook Page
Volunteers making kits of relief items including crucial food, water and non-food relief items to help displaced survivors. The shipment will go to the hard-hit island of Samar, where the storm made initial landfall.

Volunteers making kits of relief items including crucial food, water and non-food relief items to help displaced survivors. The shipment will go to the hard-hit island of Samar, where the storm made initial landfall.

 Photo Credit: AmeriCares Facebook Page
by The Daily Voice

Last week, Super Typhoon Haiyan – possibly the most powerful storm ever recorded -- dealt a massive blow to the Philippines as torrential rains, storm surges and wind gusts of more than 200 mph caused widespread devastation. Hundreds of thousands of people are in dire need of help.

More aid shipments were also underway, AmeriCares said. The first air shipment is expected to arrive in the Philippines on Thursday, carrying many of the most frequently needed post-disaster medical supplies, including antibiotics, wound care supplies and pain relievers.

Three more medical aid shipments are planned in the coming days, including two shipments from the aid organization’s Connecticut headquarters.

“There are widespread shortages of medicines – the hospitals still standing have nothing left on the shelves,” said AmeriCares Vice President of Emergency Response Garrett Ingoglia. “The floods destroyed most of their supplies just as demand is spiking with injured survivors seeking help. And with the water supply compromised in many areas there is an increased risk of waterborne diseases.”

Emergency response experts in Cebu and Manila working with partner organizations to restock hospitals and clinics and supply medical professionals working in the affected areas. AmeriCares has delivered aid to the Philippines since 1985 and has an established network of contacts throughout the country that supports 150 health care facilities, allowing it to quickly speed relief to disaster survivors.

Super Typhoon Haiyan made landfall on the island of Samar on Friday with wind speeds up to 170 mph and a 15-foot storm surge. Some of the most severe damage was in Tacloban, where the city’s only functioning hospital is reportedly turning away injured patients.

To donate to the AmeriCares Philippines Disaster Relief Fund go to americares.org/philippines or call 1-800-486-HELP.

AmeriCares is a nonprofit global health and disaster relief organization that delivers medicines, medical supplies and aid to people in need around the world and across the United States. Since it was established in 1982, AmeriCares has distributed more than $11 billion in humanitarian aid to 164 countries. 

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy called the reports on the typhoon in the Philippines devastating.

“My prayers are with those who live in the region, as well as the Filipino-American residents of Connecticut as they cope with the impacts of this typhoon and its aftermath," he said in a statement. "With millions living in the region now in need of aid, people inspired to donate funds can contact an organization they trust, such as the Philippine Red Cross, the American Red Cross, or UNICEF, so those organizations can continue to provide the food, medicine and relief that is so desperately needed.”

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