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Emergency medical aid is underway and a relief team is preparing to deploy to the Philippines to help survivors of super Typhoon Haiyan - possibly the worst storm in the disaster-prone country's history.
Even before the monstrous typhoon struck, AmeriCares had pre-positioned emergency medicines and supplies ready to help families displaced by the record-breaking storm.
Amid fears of colossal humanitarian impact, nearly a million people in Haiyan's path were ordered to leave their homes. The typhoon, known locally as Yolanda, struck early on November 8, with maximum sustained winds over 150 mph and gusts estimated by some forecasters in excess of 200 mph. Officials warned that more than 12 million Filipinos were at risk, including thousands of families in Bohol province still homeless in the aftermath of October's deadly earthquake.
While it may take weeks for the full extent of damages to be assessed, our in-country partners report widespread devastation, power outages, storm surges and landslides.
Through our Global Pre-Positioning Initiative, AmeriCares stocks pre-positioned medicines in our warehouses and relief supplies in the hands of partners best positioned to help displaced survivors.
"This large, powerful storm poses a very real danger for everyone in its path, especially for earthquake survivors living in makeshift shelters," said Garrett Ingoglia, AmeriCares vice president of emergency response. "We are prepared to help survivors get the medicine, supplies and other critically aid they need." The Philippines ranks among the world's most disaster-prone countries due to its location on the typhoon belt and the Pacific earthquake rim - known as the "Ring of Fire." Haiyan is the 24th tropical storm to hit the island country this year.
Since 1985, AmeriCares has delivered more than $229 million in humanitarian aid to the Philippines, including relief supplies for survivors of October's Bohol earthquake. Other recent emergency responses include Typhoon Bopha in 2012, Typhoon Washi in 2011, back-to-back typhoons in 2009 and Typhoon Frank in 2008.
