ICF granted $17,500 to support Hurricane John Disaster Relief Efforts in Baja California Sur
In early September, Hurricane John devastated many coastal communities in the Gulf of California. Mexican towns Mulegé and Santa Rosalia were some of the hardest hit areas. Flash floods swept through Mulegé damaging the roads, telephone lines, access to water, and electricity in the entire town and at least 300 families lost their homes.
To assist in relief efforts, forty-eight donors including Ted Gildred and BV Resorts, LLC, contributed to the $17,500 that ICF raised for the relief efforts. The funds were granted to the Manhattan Beach Sister City Committee (MBSCC) who invested the funds primarily to re-equip the Mulegé Hospital. “This hospital suffered greatly when mud, water, and debris swept through it. Much of the medical equipment, office equipment, and furnishings were ruined. It was determined that with the money available, functionality could be re-established at the hospital, effectively helping the community as a whole,” said Mariano Velasquez, President of MBSCC.
Funds also assisted Santa Rosalia; the municipality’s
governing city, and the nearby “ranchos”, the mountainsides where a significant amount of the people
live. Additionally, a “Jaws of Life” was donated to the fire
department in Santa Rosalia that will be used for future
accidents and building collapses.
ICF remained in contact with the State of Baja California
Sur’s International Relations team to coordinate efforts
and communicate the needs of the communities that had
been most affected.
This relief effort would not have been possible without
the efforts of Michael Rossi, Tim O’Brien of MBSCC, United
Peace Relief, Flying Samaritans and the initial phone call
from Mike Fleming who led the campaign with a $2,000
donation. We also want to thank our committed donors
who responded so generously in this time of need.
