Joint Efforts Make a Difference in Hurricane Michael’s Aftermath

PRIVATE SECTORS, GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS JOIN FORCES IN HURRICANE MICHAEL DISASTER RELIEF RESPONSE OPERATION

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World Hope International, Mammoth Energy Services/Cobra Energy, Operation Air Drop, Cajun Navy Foundation, Amazon, Lowes, local authorities and volunteers partner to provide expedited and efficient relief to hard hit areas in the Florida Panhandle

Hurricane Michael was the third-most severe Atlantic hurricane in US history, leaving many areas of the Florida Panhandle in complete ruins and people without food, shelter or basic supplies. In an effort to expedite aid to those affected via land, air and sea, a group of private sector, government and non-governmental organizations pooled their resources in order to get essential supplies sent out to victims in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

Between procurement, delivery, logistics, crowd sourced intel, volunteers and distribution, this unlikely group of entities came together as a united front to support Hurricane Michael survivors in a “Whole of Community” effort. Here is how each organization contributed to this collective operation:

• World Hope International (WHI): The Virginia-based relief and development organization procured much-needed supplies such as food, water, hygiene kits, tarps and other essential survival items in partnership with Lowes and Amazon for last-mile delivery to highly impacted areas throughout the Florida Panhandle. WHI also provided logistical assistance through its network of on-the-ground sources in addition to accepting donationsfor ongoing disaster relief.

• Mammoth Energy Services, Inc. (“Mammoth”): Through its fully owned subsidiary Cobra Energy, in coordination with various partnerships, Mammoth is proud to assist the residents of the gulf coast in their time of need following the impacts of Hurricane Michael. Cobra donated the use of a K-Max heavy lift helicopter and Cobra personnel in coordination with federal and local officials and first responders to air-lift supplies into the hardest hit areas of Florida including Mexico Beach, Highland View and Port St Joe. Through joint efforts they were able to move more than 16,000 pounds of necessary equipment, food and supplies into the communities most in need.

• Operation Air Drop: The disaster response non-profit founded in the wake Hurricane Harvey in 2017 provided 83 distinct aircrafts and flew 153 missions over a five day period, delivering 79,660 pounds of relief supplies.

• Cajun Navy Foundation: This organic and innovative citizen-led 501(c)(3) non-profit was excited and proud to be part of such an operation and looks forward to assisting in future joint relief efforts. The Cajun Navy Foundation’s network of boots-on-the-ground teams were beneficial in finding drop locations as well as aiding in the distribution of the donated items provided.

• Wewahitchka, FL. Authorities: Cajun Navy Foundation along with local fire and police forces were instrumental in securing a 10-acre piece of farm land that was used as a drop location in Wewahitchka, FL. for all supplies procured by various partners.

While facing time-sensitive needs and challenging terrain, combining resources is quickly becoming the best way to support severely devastated areas and continues to be the only option as the number of rapid onset disasters increase and response resources continue to be stretched.