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, destroying more than 16,000 structures and displacing more than 200,000 people. The fires consumed entire neighborhoods, leaving toxic debris and bringing destruction to houses, schools, community centers and places of worship—ultimately disrupting entire livelihoods. Though the fires were fully contained on January 31, entire neighborhoods have been demolished, and others left uninhabitable due to the toxic contaminants and damaged water systems. Affected community members have experienced profound financial and property losses, significant disruptions to school and work attendance—resulting in a loss of wages—and enormous mental and emotional stress as lives have been upended.
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. Almost five months later, many affected Los Angeles residents are still working to navigate hurdles, including ongoing debris removal; environmental safety concerns of lead, asbestos and other toxic contaminants; and complex permitting processes. These delays and the slow process have prolonged housing instability for many, compounding the challenges of substantial financial losses, disrupted workplaces and schools, and increased mental and emotional stress.
International Medical Corps, headquartered in Los Angeles, deployed an Emergency Response Team within 24 hours of the first fire outbreak. We immediately deployed an Emergency Response Team; working closely with national, state, county and local responders—including the American Red Cross, the California Department of Public Health, the California Primary Care Association and the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County—to meet the needs of vulnerable community members. We continue to partner with them to provide long-term recovery services.
International Medical Corps is committed to the long-term and sustainable recovery of Los Angeles communities. In response to the increased healthcare needs caused by the wildfires, we are working to address critical service gaps and provide surge capacity to local partners, including AltaMed, Venice Family Clinics, Pacific Clinics and the Sidewalk Project. To date, we've partnered with five health community clinic and nonprofit organization partners to:
• distribute $400,000 in direct cash assistance to support rental costs and essential household items for staff and
clients;
• expand outreach and mental health service capacity to meet the increased needs of affected communities;
• support service providers assisting people experiencing homelessness, by delivering critical supplies such as air
purifiers, nebulizers, hygiene kits, pharmaceuticals and critical wound-care supplies, among other items; and
• deliver emergency management training to partners to strengthen their preparedness and response to future crises
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.
When you support this project or create a giving opportunity of your own, you can make a lifesaving difference for families affected by crises in the United States.
*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.
