In early January 2025, Los Angeles County began to face a series of deadly wildfires. After burning through more than 40,000 acres of land for nearly 1 month, the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires are now fully contained. The fires consumed entire neighborhoods, leaving toxic debris and bringing destruction to houses, schools, community centers and places of worship—ultimately disrupting entire livelihoods. Affected community members have experienced profound financial and property losses, significant disruptions to school and work attendance—resulting in a loss of wages—and enormous mental and emotional stress as lives have been upended.
Although most neighborhoods affected by the fire are now open to public access for community members, many houses have been entirely destroyed, and the remaining structures carry enormous measures of chemical and toxic debris, leaving entire communities uninhabitable. As affected residents face the long-term implications of the fires—including displacement, exacerbated health conditions and extreme property and financial loss—there is a heavy mental and emotional toll. Shelters remain open to meet the increased demand for housing. However, many immediate support initiatives, such as free housing vouchers and medical care, have begun to be phased out. As the shift toward long-term recovery continues, resources are dwindling. As these resources decrease, there remains a significant need for mental health care, as affected residents scramble to navigate the aftermath.
Community needs will continue to be significant, particularly for the elderly, children and those with underlying respiratory or chronic conditions such as asthma or COPD. Affected residents remain at an increased risk of adverse health effects due to the smoke, contaminated water and loss of power. As crews continue to fight the fires, rapid response and recovery efforts are critical for those directly and indirectly affected.
International Medical Corps, headquartered in Los Angeles, deployed an Emergency Response Team on Wednesday, January 8, and is operating in close communication with state, county and local responders—including the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) and the LA Mayor’s office— on coordination efforts. Since initiating our response, International Medical Corps has distributed 4,176 wound-care kits, 4,256 individual hygiene kits and 10,254 KN95 masks directly to community members and displaced residents at both the Pasadena Convention Center shelter and the Santa Anita Park Way Community Distribution Center. International Medical Corps is working to quickly facilitate and distribute thousands of additional supplies to federally qualified health center partners and local organizations.
Over the course of the response, International Medical Corps has deployed 49 medical and mental health professionals—many of whom are California and Los Angeles locals—to provide critical medical and mental health care in shelters, distribution centers and re-entry points. Our medical teams are now providing 24/7 medical care in the Red Cross-managed shelters at the Pasadena Convention Center and the Westwood Recreation Center, providing a comforting and stable presence for residents amid significant change. Since January 20, the team has conducted 497 consultations and assessments, and provided 316 residents with primary nursing care with medication administration. International Medical Corps has also distributed urgently needed relief and response supplies to 13 different sites and partners, including shelters, federally qualified health centers (which provide medical services to low-income and other vulnerable populations), community-based organizations, local nonprofits and government entities.
By supporting this project, you can help bring urgently needed medical care and supplies to the people affected by the Los Angeles wildfires as they rebuild and recover from this disaster.
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Your Support can Save Lives!
By supporting this project or creating a giving opportunity of your own, you can make a lifesaving difference for families affected by crises in the United States and worldwide.
With the support of our global community, in 2023, we:
• reached nearly 16.5 million people affected by armed conflict, natural disasters and disease outbreaks;
• delivered 9,331,598 primary healthcare consultations;
• trained 107,202 people on health, mental health, protection and nutrition-related topics; and
• assisted 2,375,098 people with vital nutrition support.
Join International Medical Corps in our mission to build a healthier and more hopeful world for all in 2024.
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*Please Note for Recurring Donations: Once we have determined that the community can continue to respond to the after-effects of this emergency without us, we will scale back our response efforts. At that time, we will redirect your future donations where they are needed most to help us respond to future outbreaks of conflict, disease or disaster.
