In early January 2025, Los Angeles County began to face a series of deadly wildfires. After burning through more than 40,000 acres of land for almost three weeks, the Palisades and Eaton fires are now almost fully contained, with the Hurst fire close behind. However, the threat of fires remains as the Border 2 fire continues to burn in San Diego. Though the major Los Angeles fires are nearing full containment, the region still must deal with the aftermath, including the large-scale destruction and the realization of total loss. The fires have burned more than 16,000 structures—including homes, schools, community centers, workplaces and places of worship—disrupting entire livelihoods.
Authorities have cleared many community members to return to their neighborhoods, but the high levels of damage, toxic materials and non-operational water and power systems have guaranteed that what remains is uninhabitable, leaving many in a continued state of displacement. As affected residents face the long-term implications of the fires—including displacement, exacerbated health conditions and extreme property and financial loss—there is a heavy mental and emotional toll. Shelters remain open to meet the increased demand for housing. However, many immediate support initiatives, such as free housing vouchers and medical care, have begun to be phased out. Los Angeles faces a long recovery process, and continued medical, mental, emotional, financial and housing support remains critical.
Community needs will continue to be significant, particularly for the elderly, children and those with underlying respiratory or chronic conditions such as asthma or COPD. Affected residents remain at an increased risk of adverse health effects due to the smoke, contaminated water and loss of power. As crews continue to fight the fires, rapid response and recovery efforts are critical for those directly and indirectly affected.
International Medical Corps, headquartered in Los Angeles, deployed an Emergency Response Team on Wednesday, January 8, and is operating in close communication with state, county and local responders—including the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) and the LA Mayor’s office— on coordination efforts. Since initiating our response, International Medical Corps has distributed 1,280 wound-care kits, 540 individual hygiene kits and 4,000 KN95 masks directly to community members and displaced residents at both the Pasadena Convention Center shelter and the Santa Anita Park Way Community Distribution Center. International Medical Corps is working to quickly facilitate and distribute thousands of additional supplies to federally qualified health center partners and local organizations.
International Medical Corps has also deployed 31 medical and mental health professionals to provide critical care in the Pasadena Convention Center, a Red Cross-managed shelter housing more than 300 people. Our teams are also continuing to provide medical care at the Westwood Recreation Center and will begin providing mental health services this week. The team is also working with the city of Pasadena, the Pasadena Department of Public Health, the Red Cross and other organizations to better coordinate patient movements between isolation units and the shelter’s general population unit, hospitals and isolation hotels as appropriate.
By supporting this project, you can help bring urgently needed medical care and supplies to the people affected by the Los Angeles wildfires as they rebuild and recover from this disaster.
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Your Support can Save Lives!
By supporting this project or creating a giving opportunity of your own, you can make a lifesaving difference for families affected by crises in the United States and worldwide.
With the support of our global community, in 2023, we:
• reached nearly 16.5 million people affected by armed conflict, natural disasters and disease outbreaks;
• delivered 9,331,598 primary healthcare consultations;
• trained 107,202 people on health, mental health, protection and nutrition-related topics; and
• assisted 2,375,098 people with vital nutrition support.
Join International Medical Corps in our mission to build a healthier and more hopeful world for all in 2024.
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*Please Note for Recurring Donations: Once we have determined that the community can continue to respond to the after-effects of this emergency without us, we will scale back our response efforts. At that time, we will redirect your future donations where they are needed most to help us respond to future outbreaks of conflict, disease or disaster.
