Stamford-based Americares has sent a relief team to the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. The non-profit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization said days before the typhoon reached landfall, Americares stockpiled relief supplies in the Philippines in anticipation.
The devastation left in the wake of what could turn out to be the strongest storm on record is making it hard for any relief organization to get help to the people who desperately need it. Garret Ingoglia, Vice President of emergency response for Americares, said, "The devastation is such that it's hard to get anything done. The power's out. There's no food; there's no water; infrastructure's damaged. It's going to be challenging to get products in, to get them around, and to distribute them in an organized way."
An Americares emergency response team landed Monday morning in Manila, and will work with local relief workers to determine the quickest and best way to distribute supplies. Americares has medical aid for 20,000 survivors. It includes antibiotics, wound care supplies, and pain relievers. Americares is also providing $10,000 in funding to allow partners on the ground to purchase and distribute relief to the hardest-hit areas.
