Alaska Guard flies relief supplies to Western Alaska

The Alaska State Emergency Operations Center is working closely with state, federal and private-sector partners to ship and distribute humanitarian supplies to Western Alaska communities hardest hit by Typhoon Merbok.

A recent delivery, coordinated by the Alaska SEOC, American Red Cross of Alaska and Alaska Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters, collected and shipped more than 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 Sept. 29-30.

Additional supplies were donated by nonprofit, volunteer, faith-based, private sector, tribal and native corporations.

Desiree Chambers, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management mass care supervisor, said volunteer agencies were doing amazing work to support 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,” she said. “Many nongovernment organizations have been involved, and we will need their support through the continued response and recovery effort.”

The SEOC, a component of DHS&EM, will further coordinate distribution based on community requests and on-ground 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,” said Bryan Fisher, DHS&EM director.