COVID-19 Pandemic in Northern California

The US is still sending surplus COVID supplies overseas to help those in need.  For VIDA, Peru remains a key focal point.

The 2023 rainy season in Peru has been devastating. In early March, the warming of the ocean located off the coast of Peru signaled a strong El Nino. The government declared a state of emergency as the warming of the ocean causes an increase in rainfall in the Andes. The northern regions of Tumbes, Lambayeque, and Piura were the most damaged. The floods, river overflows and landslides have left over 300,000 people in need emergency help.

As always, in addition to the loss of life and housing, the already impoverished regions has lost critical infrastructure.   Hundreds of thousands of households and hundreds of health facilities have been destroyed by the floods. VIDA is focusing on sending critical medical supplies and equipment to address immediate issues as well as helping to rebuild the healthcare infrastructure.

VIDA has staged four containers ready for shipment to Peru. As always, the cost of shipment remains an enormous challenge. VIDA counts on the generous support of others, including the GlobalGiving community to make our mission possible. We ask you today to join us by contributing to the costs of shipping this life saving aid to Peru.

VIDA has been continuing to navigate the COVID crisis responding to ongoing needs and realities.  VIDA’s early work in helping to distribute medical supplies to locally based healthcare providers that were experiencing shortages has now morphed into  providing assistance to Bay Area projects working with vulnerable communities.

Hospitals have a unique problem of managing massive inventories of protective supplies such as masks and gloves that are rapidly expiring and will no longer be able to be used in a hospital setting. These inventories were built up due to the uncertainties during the early crisis. Many of these items have expiration dates due to sterilization requirements.  Although these items are no longer considered sterile, and appropriate for medical purposes, they still can be used for protection for vulnerable individuals carrying out their daily activities.  

One group that VIDA has been working closely with is CRECE (Central American Refugee Committee) located in Oakland. CRECE is a grassroots organization assists refugees from Central and South America with housing, employment, immigration and basic services such as food and clothing. Given their legal and economic status, many of their clients are at extremely high risk. VIDA has been providing CRECE with thousands of boxes of masks, gloves and sanitizer to distribute in the community over the past year. In addition VIDA has donated supplies that CRECE has transported to El Salvador to clinics providing care to impoverished individuals.

VIDA’s work is made possible by our generous donors. We thank you and GlobalGiving for helping us carry-out our lifesaving work