Getting Medical Supplies To Storm-Ravaged Puerto Rico From The Hudson Valley

The Yonkers-based Afya Foundation has been an integral part of New York's response to the destruction in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria. Its specialty: executing the complex delivery of supplies that are vital for medical care.

"Hospitals and medical teams from the hurricane-affected islands have contacted us asking for support [and] to pack and deliver vitally needed supplies," said Danielle Butin, Afya's founder and executive director.

FEMA and government support has been woefully slow in arriving and significant bureaucratic hurdles have slowed their efforts.

Afya is coordinating with long-time supporters at the Greater New York Hospital Association for donations of medications and medical supplies, and the NYC Emergency Management Department for over-the-counter medical supplies, Butin said. In addition, many of its long-standing hospital product donors, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center, have contributed significant donations.

The charity is also working with the Jewish Federations of North America and UJA Federation of NY for donated private airplanes and financial donations to support deliveries to Puerto Rico and St. Thomas.

"We have also had the help of the NY State Governor and Attorney General’s offices to coordinate shipment logistics and refer requests and donations to Afya," she said. "Needless to say it has been busy! In the past two weeks we have sent 16 airlifts carrying over 40,000 pounds of supplies valued at more than $2,100,000."

She offered these examples:

• Delivered 3,000 vials of insulin to more than 100 clinics in Puerto Rico; literally changing access to diabetic care for over 7,000 citizens.
• Partnered with incredible local physicians to identify needs and they have distributed to rural areas that have not seen a doctor in weeks.
• Sent medications including tetanus vaccinations, antibiotics, and consumable supplies to more than 120 delivery sites of care impacting outcomes for tens of thousands of patients.
• Delivered humanitarian aid, including baby formula, rehydration liquids and other vital supplies to those who have nothing.

Image, video via Afya