AmeriCares, the Stamford-based disaster relief and global health organization, deployed an emergency response team to Baton Rouge, La., to assist with health needs in flood-impacted areas and coordinate aid shipments.
Parts of Louisiana received more than two feet of rain in recent days, causing massive flooding that has killed 13 people and forced tens of thousands to leave their homes, according to reports. The federal government has issued a major disaster declaration for 20 parishes throughout the state.
“Flash flooding and rising waters forced many residents to evacuate quickly without their medications and other necessities, jeopardizing their health and safety,” said AmeriCares Director of Emergency Response Kate Dischino. “Our relief workers will ensure affected families have access to critical medicine and relief supplies at this difficult time.”
After major flooding, the nonprofit often ships medicine, bottled water and hygiene products for displaced families.
AmeriCares has professional relief workers on call and ready to respond to disasters and stocks emergency medicines and supplies in its warehouses in the United States, Europe and India. The organization has responded to emergencies in the United States including Hurricane Katrina, the Joplin tornado, Hurricane Sandy and the 2013 Oklahoma tornadoes.
