Forward Watch, December 11
Team Rubicon is responding to the nationwide increase in COVID-19 cases with new foods support and testing site operations.
New COVID-19 Response Operations
Chicago, IL
Team Rubicon has partnered with Top Box Foods to deliver healthy meals to at-risk residents of the Chicago area who are unable to leave their homes because of a dangerous spike in COVID-19 cases.
Over the course of 244 food support operations launched in 2020, Greyshirts have delivered and distributed more than 48 million pounds of food to people in need.
Carson City, NV
The Quad County Public Health Department and Carson City Fire Department requested Team Rubicon’s assistance for mobile testing clinic support services in the area.
On December 8, 10 Greyshirts began conducting initial patient screenings and performing essential logistical support tasks. Their responsibilities include site set-up and break-down, directing traffic, and the loading and unloading of testing equipment.
This operation is expected to last until December 31.
Continuing COVID-19 Response Operations
Gallup, New Mexico
Team Rubicon has returned to the Navajo Nation to support healthcare workers at the Gallup Indian Medical Center as they combat an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases.
As of December 7, five Greyshirts, who are registered nurses and EMTs, are on the ground assisting the hospital’s medical staff in emergency rooms and at testing sites in remote communities.
Core Operations Overview
As of December 10, Team Rubicon has assisted over 3,437 individuals with 12,381 Greyshirt deployments on 44 core operations responses in 2020.
Completed Disaster Relief Operations
Hurricanes Eta and Iota Response
La Ceiba, Honduras
Like the U.S., Central America experienced a historic hurricane season in 2020.
On November 3, Category 4 Hurricane Eta brought floods and landslides to Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala, resulting in 189 fatalities and widespread evacuations.
Less than two weeks later, Category 4 Hurricane Iota struck the same area with high winds and additional flooding that worsened the existing humanitarian crisis.
How Team Rubicon Responded
Team Rubicon worked with officials and local agencies in Honduras to conduct a WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) program that provided clean water for affected communities. This operation helped 560 families receive clean drinking water before it concluded on December 5.
Flood Recovery
Bladensburg, MD
On September 10, a narrow corridor of extremely heavy rain developed over the immediate Washington D.C. metropolitan region resulting in widespread flash flooding.
Subsequent rainfall from weather systems associated with Hurricane Sally and Hurricane Delta further impacted the area and added to residents’ cumulative trauma.
How Team Rubicon Responded
On December 5, Team Rubicon sent six Greyshirts to conduct a muck-out and provide debris removal for a family whose home was affected by the flash floods and heavy rains.
This one-day operation allowed the family to quickly and safely return to their home.