COVID-19 RESPONSE
Crisis in Latin America
While the novel coronavirus has caused many hardships here at home, it has brought catastrophic conditions to our brothers and sisters in Latin America.
YOU CAN HELP
Make a Gift
Your financial support helps ensure that patients with complex medical needs continue to receive care througout this pandemic.
Donate In-Kind
Medical supply donations are also crucial to our efforts. The demand for medical care during this time has depleted the store rooms at our partner hospitals. Your donation of un-expired medical supplies can make life-saving care possible.
Pray with us
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake,
or watch, or weep tonight,
and give your angels and saints charge over those who sleep.
Tend Your sick ones,
Rest your weary ones.
Bless your dying ones.
Soothe your suffering ones.
Pity your afflicted ones.
Shield your joyous ones,
and all for your love's sake.
Amen.
Prayer of St. Augustine
Our Response
Thanks to the deep partnerships we’ve formed in South America and the committed support we receive from our US community, we are well-positioned to respond to the heightened needs of today’s crisis—and we feel called to do so as faithfully and ambitiously as possible. As this crisis continues to unfold, we have challenged ourselves to meet the following goals in the coming months:
Deliver six emergency supply shipments and distribute to 30 hospitals, including PPE, intensive care supplies and more, valued at over $1M.
Double our designated fund for patients who are most economically vulnerable, bringing our direct financial support for patients to more than $190,000 this year.
Provide $40,000 in crisis funding to ensure that our warehouse meets local supply needs and social workers remain available to help patients navigate new barriers to care.
Facilitate virtual exchanges between doctors in the US and South America to foster relationships of solidarity while sharing best practices related to the coronavirus.
Advocate for the neglected surgical patient at the global level through our leadership in the G4 Alliance’s Working Group on Latin America and the Caribbean.
Baby Georgina underwent emergency surgery through our Heart Program during the pandemic.
Will You Join us in this commitment?
Our mission—to increase access to surgery and essential healthcare—is more vital than ever. The commitments outlined above are only our first steps in what will surely be a long road forward, ensuring that the recovery from this global crisis prioritizes those who have the fewest resources. On behalf of our partners and patients in South America, we extend our deepest gratitude for your ongoing support.
COVID cases are on the rise again in Paraguay, and our partners there have asked us to postpone our plans for a neurosurgery mission this month.