Mexico is experiencing one of the worst natural disasters in its history. Heavy rains flooded the Grijalva River in the southern state of Tabasco forcing hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. Emergency response teams continue to rescue stranded civilians, while the state government reports that more than half a million people have already been left homeless by the floods.

AmeriCares responded to the disaster immediately by sending an emergency shipment of essential aid to Mexico City. The relief, valued at more than $1.8 million included antibiotics, anti-fungals, basic medicines, supplies and blankets. As the risk to skin and water-borne diseases is high, this emergency response will help meet the most pressing health care needs of those affected in the devastated communities. This critical aid is being distributed by our partner, the Mexican Association of the Order of Malta. AmeriCares will continue to monitor the situation in Mexico, as weather reports predicat continued heavy rains. As the scope and impact of the disaster has grown in recent days, AmeriCares followed that initial response with another shipment of medicines and medical supplies worth more than $2.5 million. AmeriCares is able to respond quickly and efficiently to this disaster by using resources in our Fund for Mexico.

AmeriCares has been providing aid to people devastated by natural disasters for 25 years and has developed the expertise required to deliver emergency supplies and critical medicines to areas destroyed by violent storms. AmeriCares has been working with the Mexican Association of the Order of Malta for more than a decade, providing humanitarian aid to those in need within the country.