STAMFORD – With communities around the world facing more frequent and intense natural disasters, Americares will receive a pivotal $1 million donation to strengthen the global health workforce’s ability to respond to emergencies will be announced today during Climate Week NYC’s Hub Live.
The donation from the Johnson & Johnson Foundation to Americares will be announced during the panel discussion, “Health Workers on the Frontlines: Caring for Communities When Disasters Strike,” which will explore the growing impact of extreme weather events on frontline health workers.
“September marks National Preparedness Month in the United States, and this generous support from the Johnson & Johnson Foundation will allow our team to be ready before the next disaster strikes,” said Americares President and CEO Christine Squires. “With more frequent and intense storms and heatwaves leading to medical emergencies and straining health systems, frontline health workers need support now more than ever.
“At Americares, we’re proud to partner with a company that not only steps up to help disaster survivors in times of crisis but also helps communities build resilience for the future.”
The donation includes funding for rapid responses to future emergencies as well as ongoing support for Americares emergency response and preparedness work through the relief organization’s Rapid Impact and Support for Emergencies program for corporate supporters, known as RISE.
Support from RISE members allows Americares to maintain a constant state of readiness and respond swiftly and effectively to more than 35 emergencies worldwide every year. By supporting the core, underlying capabilities of Americares Emergency Response Program, RISE members ensure Americares can maintain an emergency pharmacy, pre-position relief supplies, train emergency responders, deploy response teams and deliver medicine and supplies.
Americares relief workers are among the first to respond to emergencies, helping to restore health services for survivors. Americares emergency response teams increase access to essential medicines and supplies as well as provide medical care, surge staffing, emergency funding and mental health support for disaster survivors, frontline health workers and first responders.
Johnson & Johnson and the J&J Foundation have supported Americares for nearly 40 years with financial contributions and product donations, reaffirming their unwavering commitment to protecting health workers and strengthening health systems around the world. The partnerships have spanned responses to dozens of emergencies worldwide — from hurricanes in the U.S. to earthquakes in Haiti and Nepal to complex humanitarian crises around the world.
The donation comes one year after Hurricane Helene devastated communities across the Southeastern United States, and the J&J Foundation played a major role in supporting Americares emergency response.
Johnson & Johnson is also a major supporter of Americares growing portfolio of climate and health initiatives, including the Philippines Climate Resilience Toolkit and the Climate Health Equity for Community Clinics Program — both designed to help health workers prepare for extreme flooding, heat and wildfires.
Johnson & Johnson Chief Sustainability Officer Paulette Frank led the panel conversation at the Climate Week NYC Hub Live with Americares SVP and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Julie Varughese, Columbia University’s Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education director; Dr. Cecilia Sorensen; and Rachel Sossoman, president and CEO of Mercy Urgent Care in North Carolina, who was on the frontlines of Hurricane Helene in 2024.
