Southern California Wildfires
Sanofi-aventis U.S., Direct Relief International
In October 2007 California wildfires destroyed at least 1,500 homes, and over 500,000 acres of land burned from Santa Barbara County to the U.S.–Mexico border. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and President George W. Bush declared a state of emergency in seven California counties where fires were burning and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts. Over 6,000 firefighters worked to fight the fires which forced over 500,000 people to evacuate their homes. Nine people died as a direct result of the fires; 85 others were injured, and the number of evacuees rose as high as 800,000. Out of 98.8 million acres, 0.5 percent of California’s land area was affected.
The causes of the different fires raging throughout the state varied, with a fallen power line believed to be the cause of a blaze in Malibu and arson blamed for a fire in Orange County that torched 28,445 acres. The firestorm was the worst to hit California since 2003, when 22 people were killed and more than 3,000 homes destroyed.
Through product donations of essential medicines, sanofi-aventis U.S. works to address unmet health care needs immediately following natural and manmade disasters. Sanofi-aventis U.S. donated emergency medicines to Direct Relief International, ultimately supporting nonprofit community clinics and shelters responding to the fires.
By partnering with community health clinics throughout Southern California, Direct Relief International was able to identify specific needs and direct aid on an as-needed, specific-request basis.
Recipients of sanofi-aventis products included North County Health Services, Share Our Selves Free Medical Clinic, and Neighborhood Healthcare (featured below).
The area’s nonprofit health centers and clinics serve as the main point of access for medical care for thousands of low-income people who lack health insurance. Sanofi-aventis’ contributions helped assist health centers and clinics in the affected area that experienced increases in patient visits, supply usage, staff costs, and decreased revenue in connection with the emergency.
Founded in 1969, Neighborhood Healthcare is nonprofit community health organization providing medical, dental, and wellness care. Located in San Diego and Riverside Counties with nine sites, Neighborhood Healthcare provides pediatric and adult medicine, acute illness treatment, and pharmacy services, along with community-focused outreach and wellness promotion programs. These services reach 55,000 patients annually, with almost 98 percent of the patients living below the federal poverty level. Many of the organization’s patients are migrant/agricultural workers, homeless people, the uninsured, and others without access to affordable health care.
