State of Alaska ships 14,000 pounds of relief supplies to Merbok-impacted communities

WASILLA — The Alaska State Emergency Operations Center is distributing thousands of pounds of supplies to Western Alaska communities heavily impacted by Typhoon Merbok.

According to a press release from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, SEOC is working closely with state, federal and private-sector partners to deliver the supplies.

SEOC recently coordinated with the American Red Cross of Alaska and Alaska Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters to gather and deliver over 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 yesterday and today.

Additional supplies have been donated by non-profit, volunteer, faith-based, private sector, tribal and native corporations all working to support recovery efforts.

“As always, our voluntary agencies are doing amazing work to support the immediate needs of 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,” mass care supervisor for the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Desiree Chambers stated in the press release. “Many non-government organizations have been involved and we will need their support through the continued response and recovery effort.”

As a component of DHS&EM, the SEOC will continue coordinating distribution based on community requests and in-person 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,” DHS&EM Director Bryan Fisher stated in the press release.

The Alaska Voluntary Organization Active in Disasters (AKVOAD) has provided assistance with water, food, clean-up kits, and hygienic supplies.

The American Red Cross of Alaska is currently seeking donations to continue providing shelter support, clean-up kits, hygiene supplies, food and water assistance, and weatherization material to affected communities. For more information, visit redcross.org/Alaska.

Lutheran Social Services is accepting financial donations for the AKVOAD Typhoon Merbok response and recovery effort.

Lutheran Social Services is currently seeking shelf-stable foods such as canned goods, pilot bread, rice and pasta. They’re also accepting diapers, baby formula, baby/sanitary wipes, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, plastic wear and other paper products.

Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1303 West 33rd Avenue in Anchorage. Clothing and frozen food donations are not needed at this time. For more information, visit lssalaska.org.

Individual and Public Assistance applications for FEMA and the state are currently available telephonically and online to individuals and businesses in the affected region.

Survivors in the declared disaster area with needs are advised to apply to both 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 at disasterassistance.gov.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com