MAP International Providing Disaster Health Kits and Other Needed Items

(Portland, OR) October 2, 2024 – In response to the widespread devastation left by Hurricane Helene in the southeastern U.S., Medical Teams International, a global health and humanitarian relief organization, is fundraising to support MAP International and its aid partners responding to widespread needs on the ground.

Hurricane Helene damage is severe throughout five states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Reportedly, at least 180 lives have been lost and hundreds of people are still missing. Power outages are affecting millions in the affected area, and high winds and flooding have left homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure damaged or destroyed.

Medical Teams is fundraising to provide and distribute disaster health kits (DHKs) to hurricane survivors, supporting the work of our longtime partner, MAP International. Ten dollars provides one disaster health kit containing soap, a first aid kit, toothbrush, toothpaste, and other essential items that will help support one person living in a shelter for one week.

In advance of Hurricane Helene, MAP prepositioned DHKs with Mountain to Sea Ministries (MTSM) in the Big Bend Florida area, but many more kits are now desperately needed. MAP is sending an additional 14,000 DHKs to affected areas in Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida. MTSM is receiving additional DHKs which they will distribute in Clinch and Lanier counties in Georgia.

MAP is also responding to direct requests for DHKs and tarps from Convoy of Hope, which is helping to meet needs in the Perry, Florida and Asheville, North Carolina areas where Helene made landfall. Another MAP partner is Sol Relief, based in St. Petersburg, Florida, which has requested DHKs and flood clean-up items. Sol Relief is an organization of pilots who use their private planes to haul relief items into southern U.S. and Caribbean post disasters.

“We thank our donors in advance for entrusting Medical Teams with funds that will directly and quickly benefit people impacted by Hurricane Helene,” said Mike Goodwin, Medical Teams Interim President & CEO. “Our minds, hearts, and prayers are with our neighbors who are under extreme duress in the aftermath of Helene.”

To make a donation to support Hurricane Helene relief through Medical Teams, visit: https://donate.medicalteams.org/hurricane-helene-response/

About Medical Teams International

Founded in 1979, Medical Teams International provides life-saving medical care for people in crisis, such as survivors of natural disasters and refugees. We care for the whole person— physical, emotional, social and spiritual. Daring to love like Jesus, we serve all people—regardless of religion, nationality, sex or race. Learn more at medicalteams.org and on social media using @medicalteams.

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