AmeriCares responds to Cyclone Pam - Westfair Communications

Stamford-based AmeriCares is responding to Cyclone Pam, which recently left a path of destruction with dozens reported dead on the South Pacific islands of Vanuatu.

The storm ”“ the strongest to make landfall since Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in 2013 ”“ made landfall late March 13 with wind gusts up to 200 mph.

AmeriCares reported that although the full extent of the damage is still unknown, reports indicate thousands of homes are destroyed and emergency shelters are filled with displaced families. The president of Vanuatu has made a plea for international help.

AmeriCares is equipping NYC Medics, a disaster relief organization that dispatches professional medical volunteers, to help deploy a mobile medical team from New York City to Vanuatu. The nonprofit stocks emergency medicine and relief supplies in its warehouses in the U.S., Europe and India that can be delivered quickly in times of crisis.

AmeriCares has also offered assistance to humanitarian organizations based in Vanuatu and is prepared to deploy its own emergency response team, if needed, according to a press release.

“Power outages are hindering communications, particularly in the more remote islands. It could be days before we know the full extent of the damage, but preliminary reports indicate help will be needed,” said AmeriCares Vice President of Emergency Response Garrett Ingoglia in the press release. “We are prepared to help meet the immediate and longer-term health care needs.”