Midwest U.S.
Stamford, Conn. – May 28, 2019 – Americares is delivering medicine and relief supplies for families affected by tornadoes and dangerous flooding in the Midwest.
Dozens of tornadoes touched down throughout the central United States over the past week, including a violent EF-3 tornado that left a path of destruction in Missouri’s capital city. The spate of severe weather comes eight years after an EF-5 tornado killed 158 people in Joplin, Mo.—the seventh deadliest tornado in U.S. history. At the same time, flooding continues to wreak havoc in Oklahoma, Arkansas and other parts of the country, forcing families to evacuate. The severe weather continues with the National Weather Service forecasting more storms later today from the central Plains to the Northeast that could bring large hail, damaging wind and tornadoes.
Americares is sending truckloads of bottled water, essential medicines and first aid supplies to partner organizations in hard-hit communities. The first shipment is headed to the Community Clinic of Southwest Missouri in Joplin, including insulin and supplies for diabetic patients who lost medication in the storm. Americares is also working with longtime partner Nestlé Waters North America to deliver over 90,000 bottles of water to food banks in Oklahoma and Arkansas.
“We are working closely with partner organizations in hard-hit communities to ensure families affected have the most essential medications and relief items,” said Americares Vice President of Emergency Programs Kate Dischino. “We are prepared to provide additional supplies as needed.”
Americares has professional relief workers ready to respond to disasters at a moment’s notice and stocks emergency medicine and supplies in its warehouses in the U.S., Europe and India that can be delivered quickly in times of crisis. The organization has a long history of responding to emergencies in the U.S., including Hurricanes Sandy, Harvey and Maria, the 2011 Joplin tornado and the 2013 Moore, Okla., tornado.
Americares responds to approximately 30 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings disaster preparedness programs to vulnerable communities.
Donations to Americares U.S. Disaster Relief Fund will support its response to the recent storms. To make a donation please visit www.americares.org/usdisasterfund