Stamford, Conn. – March 21, 2019 – Americares is deploying an emergency response team to Mozambique to assess health needs and coordinate emergency shipments of medicine and relief supplies for Cyclone Idai survivors. Idai made landfall in Mozambique’s coastal city of Beira Thursday evening, flattening homes, destroying roads and causing widespread devastation as it continued its deadly path toward Zimbabwe and Malawi.
Approximately 2.6 million people across southeastern Africa were affected by the cyclone, making it one of the most devastating natural disasters in the region’s history. Reports indicate 90 percent of Beira was damaged or destroyed. According to officials, more than 500 deaths have been confirmed across the three countries and hundreds of people are reported missing. President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique fears the death toll could climb to 1,000 as rescue workers struggle to reach the hardest-hit areas.
“With health centers damaged or destroyed there is an urgent need for medicine and medical supplies to treat survivors,” said Americares Director of Emergency Response Brian Scheel. “Our response team is on the way and ready to assist families displaced by the cyclone.”
Emergency response experts from Americares offices in Connecticut and El Salvador are expected to arrive in Mozambique this weekend. Upon arrival, the team will assess survivors’ health needs, deliver emergency medicine and relief supplies and coordinate with national and local organizations responding to the crisis.
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 responds to an average of 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 Worldwide Disaster Relief Fund will support its response to the cyclone. To donate, go to americares.org/worldwide.
About Americares
Americares is a health-focused relief and development organization that saves lives and improves health for people affected by poverty or disaster. Each year, Americares reaches more than 90 countries, including the United States, with life-changing health programs, medicine and medical supplies. Americares is the world’s leading nonprofit provider of donated medicine and medical supplies. For more information, visit americares.org.