Helping Communities Prepare for Disasters

In recent years, the devastating impact of hurricanes along the Gulf Coast and Caribbean, as well as flooding, tornadoes and other natural disasters throughout the United States, have highlighted a critical need: more effective planning and preparation to help communities respond quickly when natural disasters strike.

That's why Abbott is partnering with Feeding America to strategically pre-position "disaster relief packs" in food banks located in high-risk areas – getting the right nutritional products in the right places before a disaster hits.

The packs are designed to provide the first wave of relief following a hurricane or other disaster, helping fill the gap until traditional relief efforts can be mobilized to provide ongoing support. Packs can be given directly to families and contain Abbott Nutrition products, including nutritional bars, drinks and rehydration solutions for adults and children, which are meant to meet immediate nutritional needs for three days.

This year, Abbott and Feeding America have pre-positioned 6,400 disaster relief packs that can serve nearly 20,000 people in eight states along the eastern seaboard as well as the Gulf Coast and Puerto Rico.

In recent years, similar efforts have helped local food banks in communities affected by Hurricanes Dolly, Fay, Gustav and Ike.

Since 2002, Abbott has donated more than $50 million worth of nutritional products to Feeding America.

Feeding America created a video describing how the partnership works at a local food bank in New Orleans – click here to view.

For more information on Feeding America, click here.

For more information on Abbott's broader relief efforts, click here and here.