Following the December 2004 tsunami disaster in southern Asia, CDC teams were called to the region to provide critical assistance to the survivors and to monitor for deadly disease outbreaks. CDC Foundation president and CEO Charles Stokes quickly met with CDC officials to find out what the Foundation could do to help.
He learned that while CDC responders are well-trained and well-equipped for disaster situations, some specialized equipment – such as additional satellite phones, pocket PCs and a camera with global satellite positioning capabilities – would help them do their work more quickly and efficiently. The CDC Foundation established a new Global Disaster Response Fund to make it possible for people to contribute to CDC’s tsunami response efforts and to enable CDC to instantly purchase the equipment needed.
The fund was activated again in 2010 to help CDC respond to the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The fund helped address immediate needs like tarps, tents and handheld computers. Efforts are now focused on working with in-country health officials to provide public health facilities, equipment and training opportunities.
The fund is the international counterpart to the CDC Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund, established after 9/11 to address public health emergencies affecting the United States.
