Situation:

Hurricane Helene unleashed a force of nature that brought destruction to the remote areas and cities of North Carolina and Tennessee. A cumulative series of events had been set in motion well before the storm occurred. It began with a long drought that had hardened the soil and eroded the low natural vegetation. Days of relentless rain followed, saturating the soil and washing away the low-growing vegetation that would have otherwise held the soil together during such events. The damage from Hurricane Helene was so severe that, for decades, this area will bear the marks of this storm. Pollution and sediment, sometimes up to 8 feet deep, have rendered agricultural land infertile.

In approximately 90% of rural households, water comes from wells, springs, or is collected from alternative sources such as water bottles. These wells and spring water are not tested. The water quality of each of these wells is unknown. People told me that the water color changes almost weekly and that the water has a smell to it. Unfiltered water has many stone particles that cause kidney stones. It does not reveal if bacterial diseases, parasites, or other waterborne infections are present. Thus, leaving all these families, children, and vulnerable elderly exposed to an unknown risk.

Solution

Long-term recovery. With a strong response and a huge influx of volunteers nationwide, the first stages of emergency relief have been overcome. Through grassroots-level efforts that surpassed everyone’s expectations and the relentless support of NGOs, funds, primary goods, and critical equipment have been rushed in. Heal-Corp has presented itself as a critical element in this first response with Search and Rescue (SAR) teams, mule teams, helicopter-borne operations, and a mobile medical clinic. As we transition to long-term recovery efforts, Heal-Corp pivots its operations to the most basic and crucial needs: to sustain and maintain a healthy and able community through these adverse times.

Emergency Relief Water Treatment Program: With a focus on primary health, survivability, combating waterborne diseases, and household hygiene, Heal-Corp, with the support of Padre Pio Foundation, has dedicated its efforts to facilitating these communities by making filtered water available and scalable to their needs.