Superstorm Sandy Field Notes

AmeriCares is marshalling all of our resources to support survivors of Hurricane Sandy. Since the storm hit on October 29, we have been working nonstop to fill the immediate needs of clinics and shelters along the East Coast. We continue to respond to requests and are committed to an extended response to save lives and protect the health of survivors.

As of Sunday, November 4, we have delivered more than 6,000 family emergency kits and personal hygiene kits to emergency shelters and aid distribution centers across Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. Clean drinking water is in short supply in many areas — we have responded with deliveries of more than 150,000 bottles of water to food banks and community relief organizations in the tri-state area, with 64,000 more bottles scheduled for immediate delivery. Today, we began delivering tetanus vaccines to protect anyone injured clearing storm debris, along with flu vaccines to help people in Staten Island. Our aid also includes blankets, first aid kits, flashlights and household clean-up kits, to help survivors safely clean their homes.

AmeriCares fully-equipped mobile medical clinic arrived in hard-hit Staten Island on Thursday, November 1, the first aid organization to reach the area with medical services. Our mobile clinic allowed Beacon Christian Community Health Center to treat patients despite a loss of power. Today, November 5, the mobile clinic moved to a high school on Staten Island serving as a shelter for displaced families. Our clinic began providing primary care as well as tetanus and flue vaccines at midday, treating dozens of patients.

During the weekend of November 3-4, four teams of AmeriCares relief workers brought supplies, including drinking water, flashlights, batteries and first aid and hygiene kits to clinics and community relief sites in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens (including the Rockaways) and Staten Island in New York; and Hoboken in New Jersey; and shoreline communities in Connecticut.

We continue to monitor the needs of more than 100 clinics and shelters in the affected area and are filling dozens of requests we’re receiving via our social networks. We are coordinating with other relief organizations and federal, state and local governments.

Our plan for the immediate future includes distributing more medical and relief supplies; monitoring the needs of clinics, especially for any shortages of chronic disease medications; and providing flash grants for purchases of goods, medicines or services that clinics and shelters need immediately.

Because of AmeriCares logistical expertise and ability to distribute aid, corporate donors are providing us with donations of emergency supplies, medicines and medical supplies.