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November 14, 2013 - Los Angeles, Calif. – International Medical Corps will rapidly scale up emergency health care programs in the Philippines for families affected by Typhoon Haiyan with a $500,000 gift from The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
“The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’ compassionate and extremely generous support will be critical to providing lifesaving health care for families affected by the catastrophic typhoon,” said Nancy A. Aossey, President & CEO of International Medical Corps. “As communities struggle to cope with this devastating storm, The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’ timely gift will allow our First Responders to provide critical medical care, relieve suffering and restore hope when it’s most needed.”
“A fundamental belief among Native people is caring for the welfare and well-being of people around the world. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians supports this belief and acts accordingly when calls for help come from around the world,” said San Manuel Chairperson Carla Rodriguez. “We are pleased to support the work of International Medical Corps as they deploy their professional staff and resources to assist the people of the Philippines. We pray for their quick and full recovery.”
The Category 5 typhoon left widespread devastation, affecting 11.8 million, including 921,200 displaced people. International Medical Corps immediately deployed an international Emergency Response Team including medical professionals and water and sanitation experts. The organization also recruited local medical volunteers to staff mobile medical units (MMUs) in and around the hardest-hit areas. Through the MMUs, International Medical Corps will deliver health care services, with a special emphasis on child and maternal health; nutrition monitoring; medication; clean water; hygiene awareness and promotion; and psychosocial support and training for frontline health care workers.
Due to contaminated water, there is a high risk of infectious disease outbreaks and medicines, shelter, food and drinking water are among the greatest needs. In addition, there is a high risk of maternal and neo-natal morbidity and mortality as many health facilities and birthing clinics have been destroyed or damaged. Approximately 8,000 births are expected in the first month alone. With generous support from San Manuel, International Medical Corps will rapidly scale up health services to meet the growing humanitarian needs.
San Manuel has contributed more than $70 million to charities since 2001. Through partnerships with charitable organizations and community groups, San Manuel honors the ancestral Serrano value of sharing resources with others.
About International Medical Corps Since its inception nearly 30 years ago, International Medical Corps’ mission has been consistent: relieve the suffering of those impacted by war, natural disaster, and disease, by delivering vital health care services and sustainable development projects that focus on training. This approach of helping people help themselves is critical to returning hardest-hit populations to self-reliance.
About The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe located near the city of Highland, Calif. The Serrano Indians are the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys and mountains who share a common language and culture. The San Manuel reservation was established in 1891 and recognized as a sovereign nation with the right of self-government. Since time immemorial, the San Manuel tribal community has endured change and hardship. Amidst these challenges the tribe continued to maintain its unique form of governance. Like other governments it seeks to provide a better quality of life for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services and promoting social, economic and cultural development. Today San Manuel tribal government oversees many governmental units including the departments of fire, public safety, education and environment.
