Emergency Response to Hurricane Florence

Trevor, our Domestic Emergency Specialist here at International Medical Corps, says that, “We’ve been able to provide critical gap coverage in medical services to those displaced by Hurricane Florence or isolated from their normal access to medical care when they needed it most.” Our work, which began on September 14, when Hurricane Florence made landfall as a Category 1 storm over North Carolina, was critical to the affected populations given the extensive flooding and disruptions to normal activities which resulted from the four days of heavy rainfall.

We deployed our teams ahead of the storm so that we could be on the ground to help coordinate our response along with volunteer teams and local partners. Our activities reached seven communities with 160 patient consultations and the distribution of 6,298 hygiene and wound-care kits.

Those community health centers, long-term care facilities and local health departments impacted by Hurricane Florence still need support to build back better. Our teams are not only providing cash grants to assist these health centers, but also trainings through county health departments and regional healthcare coalitions to build resilience ahead of the 2019 hurricane season.

We believe “in the power of training, both the transfer of knowledge and the experience of mentored practice, as the cornerstone of sustainable humanitarian aid,” explains Trevor. Two of these trainings, on infectious disease prevention and control, will enroll nearly 100 health professionals from the regions most heavily impacted by Hurricane Florence.

International Medical Corps remains committed to supporting the long path to resiliency for healthcare facilities impacted by Hurricane Florence. We thank you and all the GlobalGiving donors for your support of our work helping health centers in North Caroline prepare for the next hurricane season.

On Friday, September 14, Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina, causing extensive wind damage and catastrophic flooding across the central and southeastern part of the state. During this ongoing “slow-motion disaster,” millions of men, women and children have been affected.

International Medical Corps deployed ahead of the storm and reached areas most in need of medical care across the state. With the help of a mobile medical clinic that we deployed with a partner, our medical teams have served seven affected cities and towns, focusing on rural and harder-to-reach locations where health centers and evacuee shelters faced increased demand.

Tammy from North Carolina was among the millions affected. When Hurricane Florence hit, Tammy and her family had to evacuate their home due to flooding. They went to a campground, but that flooded too, so they went to a motel. Things went from bad to worse when the ceiling at the motel collapsed. Someone told her about a shelter, and the family ultimately found a place to rest there. Our volunteer doctors and nurses met Tammy at the shelter, where we were proving healthcare services to the residents.

Feeling ill, exhausted and stressed, Tammy visited with International Medical Corps volunteer, Dr. Moore. Like many shelter residents, she suffered from chronic illnesses: congestive heart failure and sleep apnea. Dr. Moore prescribed medication for Tammy, and helped her secure an appointment with a cardiologist for increased care. Tammy was very thankful that Dr. Moore and International Medical Corps were there to help her and her family during a very stressful time.

Across our relief efforts in North Carolina, International Medical Corps focused on reaching those in need of health assistance as well as distributing hygiene and sanitation supplies. Moving forward, our team is prioritizing building resilience so health centers and communities can prepare for the next inevitable disaster.

We thank the GlobalGiving community for your continued support.