JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – The Alaska State Emergency Operations Center is working closely with state, federal and private-sector partners to ship and distribute humanitarian supplies to Western Alaska communities hardest hit by Typhoon Merbok.
A recent delivery, coordinated by the SEOC, American Red Cross of Alaska and Alaska Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters, collected and shipped more than 14,000 pounds of food, water and building supplies to the hub communities of Bethel and Nome. The Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing transported the relief supplies via HC-130J Combat King II and C-17A Globemaster III cargo aircraft Sept. 29-30.
Additional supplies were donated by nonprofit, volunteer, faith-based, private sector, tribal and native corporations.
Desiree Chambers, mass care supervisor for the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said volunteer agencies were doing amazing work to support disaster survivors.
“The American Red Cross of Alaska, Alaska Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters, Team Rubicon and many others have stepped up to provide critical assistance to those who need it most,” she said. “Many nongovernment organizations have been involved, and we will need their support through the continued response and recovery effort.”
The SEOC, a component of DHS&EM, will further coordinate distribution based on community requests and on-ground assessments.
“Taking care of people after a disaster is our top priority. Our voluntary and charitable partners are critical in our effort to provide critical assistance to people in a timely manner,” said Bryan Fisher, director of DHS&EM.
How to help
The American Red Cross of Alaska has provided shelter, clean-up kits, hygiene supplies, food and water, and weatherization material to affected communities across Western Alaska. At this time they are seeking cash donations at www.redcross.org/Alaska.
The Alaska Voluntary Organization Active in Disasters (AKVOAD) has provided water and food, clean-up kits, and hygiene supplies. Lutheran Social Services, an AKVOAD member, is accepting financial donations for the AKVOAD Typhoon Merbok response and recovery effort at www.lssalaska.org.
Lutheran Social Services is also seeking food such as canned goods, pilot bread, rice and pasta, as well as diapers, baby formula, wipes, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates and other paper products. Donations can be dropped off on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1303 W 33rd Avenue, Anchorage.
For those in need
Individual and Public Assistance applications for FEMA and the state have opened and are available by telephone and online to individuals and businesses in the affected region. Survivors in the declared disaster area with needs should apply to state and federal programs to maximize potential assistance.
For state assistance, call 1-844-445-7137 or visit ready.alaska.gov/storm.
For federal assistance through FEMA, call 800-621-3362 or go to disasterassistance.gov.