Americares responded to the health needs of hurricane survivors in the United States and the Caribbean after Hurricane Beryl carved a path of destruction from the Windward Islands to Texas in early July 2024.
More than 20 deaths were reported in the Caribbean and the United States as survivors cleared storm debris and cleaned up damage from hurricane-force winds and flooding.
Americares provided shipments of medicines and relief supplies as well as emergency funding to partner organizations in the affected areas.
In Texas, more than 2 million people were without power after the storm amid a stifling heatwave, threatening the health of survivors — especially the elderly and those who rely on electric-powered medical equipment.
Americares is shipping urgently needed medical supplies to partner clinics directly impacted by the storm. Before Beryl made landfall in Texas as a Category 1 hurricane on July 8, Americares emergency experts reached out to more than 100 partner organizations with offers of assistance.
San José Clinic, a charitable clinic in downtown Houston, sustained damage in the storm and was without power for 36 hours. More than a week after the hurricane some clinic staff, volunteers and patients were still without power in 90-degree weather.
“Americares is providing us with medications to assist our patients and re-stock our inventory, hygiene products to provide to patients who may be displaced or in need, and vaccines to minimize their risk of tetanus in the aftermath of the hurricane,” said Adlia Ebeid, San José Clinic chief clinical officer. “We are always thankful for our partnership with Americares and know that we could not do the work that we do and serve the uninsured patients of the Greater Houston area without their support.”
In the aftermath of the storm, Americares provided products valued at over $139,000 to Houston clinics treating patients affected by the hurricane.
San José Clinic received tetanus vaccines, hygiene kits and other essential relief supplies. United Community Foundation received acetaminophen, hygiene kits, diabetes test kits and other essential relief items. United Community Foundation also received emergency funding from Americares to purchase screening supplies such as blood pressure monitors and diabetes test kits, as well as hygiene products, food and bottled water for distribution.
In addition, The Salvation Army received three truckloads of bottled water for hurricane survivors in Texas through a longstanding partnership between Americares and BlueTriton Brands.
In the Caribbean, where the storm at one point reached Category 5 status and sheared roofs off buildings, Americares is focused on restoring health services for children and adults affected by the storm, including those displaced. We are preparing to deliver essential medicines, relief supplies and emergency funding to restore vital health services.
“The health of survivors is our No.1 concern,” says Americares Director of International Emergency Response Cora Nally. “People have lost everything and will need medicine, medical and relief supplies and support for their mental health.”
An Americares Emergency Response Team landed in Kingston, Jamaica, within days of the storm to assist the relief efforts.
“The most severe damage in Jamaica is along the southern coast. More than 60 health facilities have sustained damage—some are still without power,” said Americares Director of Complex Emergencies Adam Keehn, who led the response on the ground in Jamaica. “We are getting requests for medicine, hygiene kits, cleaning supplies, tarps, generators and assistance replacing damaged medical equipment.”
Americares is closely coordinating with Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, health facilities and our longstanding partner organization, Food For The Poor, to assist survivors in the most affected communities.
After Hurricane Beryl hit Jamaica, Americares provided emergency funding to Breds – Treasure Beach Foundation in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, and Food For The Poor Jamaica to purchase relief supplies.
Americares has provided emergency funding to Breds -Treasure Beach Foundation in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, to purchase urgently needed relief supplies and services for a community of 3,500 survivors. The funds will be used to purchase generators, deliver food and other critically needed items to the elderly and hire a community worker to share information about recovery services, as well as meet other urgent needs.
Americares also provided emergency funding to Food For The Poor Jamaica to purchase and distribute essential medical, emergency and hygiene supplies to health care facilities; to repair damaged health care facilities; and to ensure access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation to prevent the spread of disease.
Hurricane Beryl reportedly damaged or destroyed 98 percent of buildings on Carriacou, Petite Martinque and Union islands, including health facilities. In St. Vincent and the Grenadines most of the health facilities had resumed operations by July 10, although most sustained damage or were without power and/or electricity, according to Pan American Health Organization. Carriacou’s Princess Royal Hospital sustained damage to more than 75 percent of its roof. A psychiatric hospital in Grenada and a laboratory in St. Vincent and the Grenadines were also reported damaged. Health workers are among the survivors whose homes were severely damaged.
Over the years Americares has responded to many major hurricanes in the Caribbean including Hurricane Dorian in 2019, Hurricane Maria in 2017 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
Americares responds to more than 35 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings disaster preparedness programs to communities vulnerable to disasters. Since its founding 45 years ago, Americares has provided $23 billion in aid to 164 countries.
8/29/2024