Stamford, Conn. – Feb. 19, 2025 – In response to the deadly flooding that has inundated the southeastern United States, Americares is launching a rapid response to help restore access to essential health services and address the most urgent health needs in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Americares is preparing to ship hygiene kits, first aid items, cleaning supplies and other critically needed items to send to clinic partners located in the path of the flooding. Americares is also prepared to provide emergency funding to help restore health services for low-income and uninsured residents in affected communities.
This latest round of torrential rains has drenched communities that are still reeling from the devastating 2022 floods in the region, with Kentucky bearing the brunt of the devastation once again. With the crisis escalating, President Donald J. Trump approved an emergency disaster declaration on Feb. 16, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide support and federal funding for the recovery. According to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear 14 people have been killed as a result of the floods. As recovery efforts get underway, local officials are also urging residents to prepare for more winter weather in the coming days, which could further complicate an already dire situation.
“The southeastern U.S. is grappling with yet another round of severe flooding, and local health facilities are once again under immense strain,” said Americares Director of U.S. Emergency Response Mariel Fonteyn. “We’re focused on restoring access to health care in impacted communities and providing our clinic partners with the medicines and relief supplies they need to care for their communities during this challenging time.”
In 2022, Kentucky experienced one of the most devastating flood events in recent memory, which displaced thousands of families and caused widespread damage in countless communities. In response, Americares provided nearly 8 tons of urgently needed medicines and relief supplies, including hygiene kits, masks, tetanus vaccines, wound care supplies and more to partner organizations in Kentucky supporting survivors. Americares also coordinated the delivery of five truckloads of safe drinking water and provided over $110,000 in emergency funding to 10 organizations in the affected areas. The funding was used to help restock supplies lost or damaged in the flooding, rent vans to support staff who lost vehicles, provide safe spaces for children and community members who lost their homes and purchase medical supplies.
Americares responds to more than 35 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings preparedness programs to communities vulnerable to disasters. At the same time, the organization maintains a constant state of readiness so that it can deploy quickly when disaster strikes. Americares relief workers are among the first to respond to emergencies, helping to restore health services for survivors. After disasters, the organization often stays for months—or years—helping communities recover.
Donations to Americares U.S. Disaster Response Fund will support its response to this emergency. To donate, go to www.americares-sampler.materiell.net/FloodRelief
