Disaster Preparedness reduces destruction, injury and death, and it makes good economic sense. Getting the health system ready for disasters is a game changer for communities at risk, helping them stay safe and recover faster. The best response to a disaster is a good plan.
The severity and frequency of natural and man-The severity and frequency of natural and man-made disasters are on the rise as environmental, social and political factors contribute to the surge in complex humanitarian crises. Disasters now directly affect over 200 million people annually. Crises come in many forms and from many sources.
At Americares, we must be ready 365 days a year so we can quickly respond to any global disaster. Last year we responded to 36 different disasters. With our partners around the world and here at home, we prepare for the worst that nature or humans can produce.
No one can stop hurricanes or droughts or earthquakes, but we know from decades of responding to disasters that we can identify historical vulnerabilities of certain areas like Tornadoes in the South and Central U.S., Typhoons in the Philippines, Floods in Kentucky, Hurricanes in the Caribbean, and Earthquakes in Indonesia.
In the case of disease, we anticipate the conditions that contribute to such outbreaks and work to limit their impact. As the Global Pandemic of COVID extended into a fourth year, our focus on protecting health workers and health facilities here at home and around the world highlighted the critical nature of providing health workers on the front lines of any disaster with the means to stay safe and continue meeting the health needs of their communities.
We can mitigate the potential threat to health care services and save more lives by raising the level of local preparedness, making the health system more resilient and capable of caring for survivors during and after an emergency. In the United States, we are helping free clinics around the country build greater resilience in the face of the climate crisis and extreme weather events.
Even in civil conflicts and other man-made disasters such as the War in Ukraine, we can strengthen supply chain capabilities globally and locally and expand partnerships with other disaster and health organizations to be better prepared to meet health needs should a crisis arise. And now with human activity and climate change contributing to the magnitude of natural and manmade disasters and the increasing frequency of different types of disasters, disaster preparedness is rapidly becoming a matter of survival.
Planning for a disaster requires dynamic, direct action at the local level – a continuous process that takes place before, during and after a disaster. And a good plan needs reliable resources.
Donate today and help us provide healthcare, disaster relief, and other essential services to people in need.
Americares Emergency Response Partners (AERP): Our committed corporate partners help provide the reliable funding base necessary for Americares to respond swiftly and effectively to disaster events around the globe – the ones you see in the news and the ones you don’t. Their commitment combined with the generosity of our individual donors means that our more than 4,000 local partners, experienced staff and our Global ER roster have the resources needed to save lives and restore health.
Our work in past disasters, such as Hurricane Maria, has led us to design emergency preparedness programs specific to safety net health facilities in the U.S. and local health centers globally, particularly those serving vulnerable populations. We know from decades of experience what it takes to save lives in the next disaster:
The time to save lives is now – before disaster strikes.
Have a list of prescriptions you need and at least a 7-day supply on hand along with a 3-day supply of food and water.
Carry your health insurance card and primary care doctor’s contact information along with other important contacts.
Have back-up power for any medical devices or medicine that needs refrigeration, as well as portable chargers for your mobile devices.
And don’t forget a plan for household members with special needs, including your pets.