AbbVie : Rebuilding After Irma and the Mexico Earthquake

Irma's Impact

Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Atlantic, caused extensive damage as it passed over numerous islands in the Caribbean, Haiti and the Dominican Republic before battering the state of Florida. The storm has also impacted Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Puerto Rico.

The death toll has reached more than 70 in the Caribbean and the U.S., and the destruction is really just starting to be fully understood. Millions of people throughout the region still remain without power. Shortages of essential supplies, including food, clean water and medical goods, are creating major challenges and hardships.

Grants allocated to help those affected by Irma will go to:

• American Red Cross, for deployment of: volunteers, emergency response vehicles, shelters, ready-to-eat meals, hygiene kits, medical supplies and cleaning products.
• Direct Relief, for outreach and support to affected partner health clinics, preparation, procurement and packing of emergency shipments, transportation of emergency supplies and medicines.
• Heart to Heart International, for operation of their Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) that is providing basic emergency triage, wound care, tetanus vaccinations, lab testing and assistance with lost medicine.
• International Medical Corps, to support of health facilities and mobile clinics; access to clean water and sanitary facilities including cholera treatment and prevention, distribution of relief supplies and medicines.
• Feeding America, for disaster operations including procurement/distribution of food and water.
• MAP International, for procurement, shipping and distribution of hygiene kits.

In Mexico, additional AbbVie Foundation support to Direct Relief will enable that organization's earthquake relief efforts, including the procurement and distribution of needed medicine and supplies, the repair of damaged medical facilities and the operation of mobile medical units. Direct Relief's recovery efforts will assist Partners In Health and Casa de la Amistad, AbbVie Foundation partners managing existing programs for vulnerable populations in the Chiapas region.

The AbbVie Foundation is also matching employee donations to many disaster relief organizations, including those above.

At press time, another hurricane - Maria - is brewing and expected to cause significant damage to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. And, on September 19, a major earthquake hit Mexico City. AbbVie and the AbbVie Foundation will continue to monitor these events and respond as needed to support those affected.

'After the devastating events of the past few weeks, we are anxious to do whatever we can to help those affected by these disasters,' says Tracie Haas, President, AbbVie Foundation. 'We are so grateful to have partnerships in place with trusted organizations, which allows us to support targeted efforts to recover, rebuild, and offer much-needed relief.'

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