The grants, awarded to the Southern Birth Justice Network and the University of Florida Mobile Outreach Clinic, were made possible by a generous donation from the CVS Health Foundation, the independent, philanthropic arm of CVS Health.

“Direct Relief is privileged to support these organizations that work tirelessly to support their communities every day, and that will now be able to expand their services to even more patients,” said Dr. Byron Scott, Direct Relief COO and Co-Chair of the Fund for Health Equity. “We are deeply grateful to the CVS Health Foundation and their leadership, which acts as a powerful force multiplier, allowing more of this essential work to take place for people who need it most.”

The Southern Birth Justice Network based in Miami, Florida, works to expand access to midwifery and doula care for Black, Brown, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, low-income, and other marginalized communities. The organization established the National Black Midwives Alliance, a professional group that represents Black midwives across the U.S., in 2018.

Direct Relief’s grant will support the National Black Midwives Alliance in establishing itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and in implementing programs connected to midwives’ and doulas’ work across the country.

In north central Florida, the University of Florida Mobile Outreach Clinic offers primary care to all patients regardless of location, health insurance, immigration status, or income — the only such service in the area.

The grant from Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity will help to establish a new perinatal mobile health clinic, providing clinical services to rural women who are at high risk of poor birth outcomes, many of whom are ineligible for public insurance. The clinic will also offer mental health, pregnancy, postpartum, and lactation support for patients. Training lay community members to become perinatal community health workers, lactation counselors, and doulas will be another focus.

In particular, the purchase of a mobile medical unit and ultrasound machines, and the hiring and training of community members from underrepresented groups in the area, will be funded by the grant.

Since the start of the Fund in 2021, more than $50 million has been provided to support 163 organizations across the U.S.

The awardees were selected by the Fund for Health Equity’s Advisory Council, which includes the following members:

• Co-Chair Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA, 18th US Surgeon General of the United States, Founder Bayou Clinic, Inc.
• Co-Chair Byron Scott, MD, MBA, Direct Relief COO
• Martha Dawson, DNP, MSN, RN, FACHE, President and CEO President of the National Black Nurses Association, Associate Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Jane Delgado, Ph.D., MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health
• Gail Small, JD, Head Chief Woman, a citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe

The post Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity Awards $1.3 Million to Organizations Focused on Maternal Health appeared first on Direct Relief.

It’s the “dress rehearsal” for the Covid vaccine effort, said Dr. Ron Yee, the Chief Medical Officer of the National Association of Community Health Centers.

Many health centers—pegged as key players in President Biden’s vaccination plan—are preparing to receive their first allotment of doses, if they haven’t already. Staff are securing refrigerators for cold-chain storage and conducting patient outreach—similar to how they might prepare for a typical flu season. And at health centers that have already received the vaccine, providers are carrying out familiar processes: reviewing medical records, screening for contraindications, and updating immunization registries.

In Los Angeles, California, the staff at QueensCare Health Centers are planning to emulate the socially distanced flu clinics they held last fall.

“We’ve learned a lot about how we can bring a lot of people to an event and then vaccinate a large amount in a short period of time,” said Marina Snitman, the director of pharmacy at QHC. In addition to a pop-up clinic, the health center set up a drive thru site where patients could come get vaccinated without leaving their cars.

While the basics are comparable, administering the Covid-19 vaccine does present unique challenges, from storage requirements to distribution. “Flu, fortunately or unfortunately, is a lot easier than the Covid vaccine,” said Snitman.

For health centers like QHC, who serve anyone regardless of their ability to pay, the eligibility requirement adds a layer of complexity. “We have to make sure patients belong to a particular tier,” explained Snitman, “whereas the flu is ‘Come and get it,’ no matter how old or where you work.”

Determining a patient’s age is relatively easy, according to Snitman. But verifying where they work could prove more difficult. Though plans have yet to be solidified, the health center is considering sending out a survey or administering a questionnaire upon check-in to gauge the type of work patients do.

Despite the red tape, Snitman says her objective remains the same: “To vaccinate everybody who wants a vaccine,” an admirable, but ambitious goal, especially if flu vaccination rates are any indication.

According to the CDC, just under 50% of the U.S. adult population receive their annual flu shot, and that’s not simply because they don’t want it.

There are “so many competing priorities and competing stresses in [people’s] lives,” said Elisabeth Gundersen, the President of Medspire Health Mobile Clinic in Butte County, California. “They want the vaccine and they understand the importance of it, but it takes a lower priority to the other things that they’re dealing with.”

Many of Gundersen’s patients—some of whom lost their homes in the 2018 Camp Fire—are experiencing food insecurity, joblessness and homelessness.

During Medspire’s annual flu vaccine drive, teams of medical volunteers go to local trailer parks and homeless encampments to offer the vaccine to those with limited access to medical care. “The traditional medical system is that patients come to us at our convenience as providers, but as we know that doesn’t work for a lot of people,” said Gundersen.

As the clinic prepares to administer the Covid-19 vaccine, they expect to follow a similar model: homeless outreach, pop-up clinics, and home visits for those unable to make clinic hours.

One difference will be the extent to which they address vaccine hesitancy. “There’s a lot of very common myths out there,” said Gundersen.

Given the rapid development of the Covid-19 vaccine, many of her patients have expressed concerns about its safety. Others are generally dubious of conventional medicine. “There’s this fear of government control,” she said. “’Is this something the government is doing because they want to control me?’ That’s something I’ve heard multiple times.”

Medspire plans to work up a series of informational materials addressing common questions and misconceptions about the vaccine. But, according to Gundersen, the most effective means of dispelling hesitancy is one-on-one communication. “Listening to [patients], hearing them, and in speaking to the concerns, alleviate them. That’s also really important.”

This kind of communication builds trust with patients, says Gundersen, making street medicine providers particularly well-positioned to administer a vaccine for Covid-19.

“You’re not going to get people struggling with homelessness and mental health to come to, for example, the Oakland Colosseum to get a vaccine,” explained Gundersen. According to Medspire’s model, a personalized approach is key.

“We know people by name. We know which trailer they live in. If we can’t find them, we know who their friend is,” she said. “It’s a tightly knit community.”

During the 2020 flu season, Direct Relief distributed over 32,000 flu vaccines to safety net providers across the United States, including to QueensCare Health Centers, which hosted flu clinics with the support of Direct Relief and Clorox, and to Medspire, which also received donated flu vaccines. Direct Relief also provided more than 9,000 vouchers for free flu shots at CVS pharmacy.

The post Annual Flu Clinics Provide Template for Covid Vaccinations appeared first on Direct Relief.

In the year since, Direct Relief has emerged as one of the largest charitable providers of personal protective gear (PPE) and critical care medications globally, having delivered more than 82 million units of PPE, 173 million defined daily doses of vital medicines, and 36 thousand pieces of diagnostic and intensive care equipment to thousands of local organizations across 100 countries, including the U.S.

The organization has also supported health care providers with more than $50 million in direct financial assistance to sustain care and expand services that include mobile and pop-up testing sites, telehealth expansion, and greater cold chain capacity.

For an overview of Direct Relief’s activities in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, please continue reading.

Financial Summary

Covid-19 Pandemic Donations

Jan. 27, 2020 – Jan. 27, 2021

Direct Relief does not accept government funding. Its work is made possible entirely through the support of companies, organizations, foundations, and individuals.

The organization recognizes that supporters who made generous contributions of funding, services, and in-kind goods amid the pandemic did so with the specific intent that their contributions fight Covid-19 and its devastating consequences. In accepting funds as part of its Covid-19 response, Direct Relief understands that these supporters deserve to know precisely how those funds have been and will be disbursed.

Direct Relief received more than 151,000 financial contributions designated for Covid-19, totaling $125.8 million.

Some of these Covid-19-designated donations also had additional restrictions from donors requiring the funds be used for a particular region or country. All designated funds have been respected, administered, and disbursed accordingly.

How Were Funds Used

Direct Relief initiated its Covid-19 response activities using general operating funds. As Direct Relief began receiving funds donated for Covid-19, it expanded its activities and spending accordingly. The situation remains dynamic, with designated funds continuing to be accepted. Direct Relief takes great care to deploy incoming funds responsibly, efficiently, and as rapidly as possible, consistent with donors’ intent.

The following offers a snapshot of the total Covid-19 donations received over the past year:

To date, Direct Relief has spent or committed a total of $83.5 million in cash (66% of the $125.8 million received) in its pandemic response — which continues at high-pace.

Of that amount, $40.8 million has been spent or committed as direct grants to organizations on the frontlines of the pandemic, $35.6 million has been spent on purchasing essential medical items not available through donation, and $7.1 million was spent to distribute all material and financial assistance provided in response to Covid-19, as described below.

Covid-19 Response

By the numbers

Jan. 27, 2020 – Jan. 27, 2021

Grant Making

Medical Aid

Protective Gear

Medical Material Support

Direct Relief has been responding to the pandemic since its earliest days, beginning with requests for help from overstretched hospitals in Wuhan, China. From there, Direct Relief’s response quickly expanded to the United States and the rest of the world.

Since Jan. 2020, the organization has provided support to more than 3,000 partner organizations fighting Covid-19 worldwide.

As of Jan. 27, 2021, that support has included more than 29,000 medical aid shipments totaling 4.9 million pounds and valued at $1.3 billion. Medical aid has reached organizations in 55 U.S. states and territories and 100 countries.

Material support has taken several distinct forms:

• Supplies to protect frontline health workers: Direct Relief provided masks, gloves, gowns, powered air-purifying respirators, face shields, and other PPE to health care organizations globally.
• Medical resources for intensive care: As the pandemic strained hospital resources, the organization provided ventilators, oxygen concentrators, and ICU medications to help overstretched hospitals treat patients with critical cases of Covid-19.
• Ongoing support for chronic health: To minimize interruptions to essential health services, including primary and specialty care, maternal and child health services, mental health treatment, and substance use disorder interventions, Direct Relief provided a wide range of support — chronic health medications, the overdose-reversing medication naloxone, midwife kits, and more.

Direct Relief arranged for and managed the logistics, transport, and delivery of all products to health facilities – free-of-charge.

Direct Financial Assistance

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, designated contributions have allowed Direct Relief to bolster the health care system with financial assistance and support the efforts of locally run organizations with strong ties to their communities.

Thanks to corporate and individual donors’ generosity, Direct Relief has granted more than $53 million in cash worldwide since Jan. 27, 2020.

Grant recipients include health centers, clinics, and locally run organizations providing vital care, testing, and other health care services during the pandemic. These grants helped sustain strained health facilities, keep patients out of hospitals, maintain continuity of care, and fund Covid-19 testing and vaccinations.

For a list of health care facilities and organizations worldwide that have received direct funding from Direct Relief in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, click here.

Covid-19 Response

By Region

United States

• Grants Disbursed: $48.6 million
• Material Aid Provided: $284.3 million
  • Shipments: 28.8 thousand
  • PPE: 21.3 million units
  • Medications: 48.6 million Defined Daily Doses
  • ICU Kits: 178
  • Ventilators & oxygen concentrators: 1,046

Americas

• Grants Disbursed: $405 thousand
• Material Aid Provided: $341 million
  • Shipments: 260
  • PPE: 8.2 million units
  • Medications: 61.1 million Defined Daily Doses
  • ICU Kits: 84
  • Ventilators & oxygen concentrators: 1,497 units

Asia

• Grants Disbursed: $1.3 million
• Material Aid Provided: $169.6 million
  • Shipments: 234
  • PPE: 4.1 million units
  • Medications: 15.6 million defined daily doses
  • ICU Kits: 58
  • Ventilators & oxygen concentrators: 420 units

Africa

• Grants Disbursed: $1.26 million
• Material Aid Provided: $489 million
  • Shipments: 234
  • PPE: 42.4 million units
  • Medications: 27.9 million defined daily doses
  • ICU kits: 73
  • Ventilators & oxygen concentrators: 326

Europe

• Grants Disbursed: $503 thousand
• Material Aid Provided: $33.1 million
  • Shipments: 50
  • PPE: 1.4 million units
  • Medications: 1.5 million defined daily doses
  • ICU kits: 4
  • Ventilators & oxygen concentrators: 524

Applied Research and Analytics

Even before the pandemic, Direct Relief had facilitated emergency managers’ use of population movement and other data for decision-making purposes, including in Texas, California, and Michigan.

When Covid-19 hit, it was immediately apparent that this kind of data would be an essential tool for analyzing social distancing effectiveness.

In March of 2020, Direct Relief, with researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, established the Covid-19 Mobility Data Network. The network, comprised of a group of about 70 infectious disease epidemiologists and other researchers, began creating simple, usable data projects to help public health officials and policymakers understand the impacts of social distancing measures in a given area.

Officials have used the group’s research and information tools in the UK, Spain, Italy, India, Australia, Botswana, Chile, and other countries. The data used for these analyses is hosted on the UN’s Humanitarian Data Exchange, allowing governments worldwide to receive support or analyze the data themselves.

While the Covid-19 Mobility Data Network was convened because of an emergency, Direct Relief and the researchers wanted to ensure that similar data would be readily available in a clear and actionable form and on an ongoing basis for future crises, including wildfires and hurricanes.

CrisisReady, working with the World Bank, is in the initial stages of creating a global emergency response network, which will launch in March-April of 2021.

In addition, Direct Relief is funding two researchers whose essential work combines population movement data and health crisis analysis: Pamela Martinez at the University of Illinois and Amy Wesolowski at Johns Hopkins University.

Among the resources developed by Direct Relief to inform and track its pandemic response are the following:

• The Covid-19 International Vulnerability Index examines population movement data and information about case counts, hospital beds, and other vulnerability indicators to generate actionable information and analysis.
• The United States forecast map draws on anonymized data to predict the spread of Covid-19.
• The United States pandemic response tracker shows Direct Relief’s distribution of medical aid across the country.
• The international pandemic response tracker shows the organization’s global distribution.

Looking forward

The remaining funds designated for the pandemic will enable Direct Relief to continue its worldwide response, focusing on:

1. Supporting vaccination efforts

• Expanding cold-chain storage and transport at hospitals and health centers and providing coolers for mobile vaccination campaigns.
• Providing needles and syringes to administer vaccines.
• Supplying PPE to health workers giving vaccinations.
• Funding education, awareness, and outreach campaigns at health centers and hospitals, particularly in poor communities and communities of color.
• Employing digital tools and artificial intelligence to determine low vaccine uptake areas and provide that information to policymakers and public health officials.
• Funding health centers that experience reimbursement gaps after administering vaccines.
• Increasing Direct Relief’s internal capabilities to receive, store, and distribute the vaccine.
• Supporting the opening of large-scale vaccination sites with funding and supplies.
• Providing back-up power sources to health care sites at risk of power loss, which can destroy vaccines.

2. Addressing Covid-19 gaps in hardest-hit areas

• Funding health initiatives in primarily minority communities hit disproportionately hard by the pandemic.
• Providing grants to health care providers in the United States and around the world struggling to care for patients affected by Covid-19.
• Continuing to provide critical care medications, oxygen concentrators, and ventilators to hospitals worldwide caring for Covid-19 patients.
• Supplying PPE to providers unable to access these lifesaving supplies reliably.
• Establishing and funding Covid-19 treatment and isolation wards ensures that low-resource areas have the resources to care for Covid-19 patients safely.
• Providing health care support for Covid-19 patients to recover at home, freeing hospital beds for more critical cases.

3. Continuing support for people with other health care needs:

• While global health resources are diverted towards preventing and treating Covid-19, fundamental health care needs continue.
• Babies continue to be born. The number of people with chronic conditions like diabetes and cancer is only growing. And children with diabetes, hemophilia, and rare diseases still need lifesaving therapies.
• As the pandemic continues, Direct Relief will continue to provide the essential medical aid required for their care.

Thank You

Direct Relief’s extensive ability to provide a wide range of medical aid, from PPE to medications intended for critical cases of Covid-19, would not have been possible without in-kind and financial donations from dozens of pharmaceutical and medical supply companies, with air transport and logistical services provided by FedEx.

Many of these organizations work closely with Direct Relief on an ongoing basis to fund and supply humanitarian projects and programs. However, the outpouring of support from corporate partners, both new and ongoing, has been unprecedented during the Covid-19 pandemic. Direct Relief is deeply grateful for their generosity and commitment.

Included among them are:

The post Covid-19 Relief: One-Year Report on Use of Funds and Response Activity appeared first on Direct Relief.

An emergency shipment of 11,840 N-95 masks is bound for District 4-C1 Lions Clubs to support wildfire response efforts in Northern California. pic.twitter.com/JQfuKEum4V

— Direct Relief (@DirectRelief) August 8, 2018

Northwest of Shasta County, the Carr Fire, the deadliest of the sixteen-plus fires burning across California, has killed at least eight people and destroyed more than 1,600 structures.

Evacuations and road closures remain in effect with nearly 207,162 acres charred.

Nearly 600,000 acres burned. More than 13,000 firefighters battling blazes. More than 2,300 members of the National Guard pulled into the fight. https://t.co/Zyr2kV3xC8

— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 8, 2018

Direct Relief has extended offers of support to more than 20 healthcare providers in the region and has also been in communication with the California Department of Health and the California Office of Emergency Services.

Direct Relief maintains a standing inventory of items needed during wildfires, such as N-95 masks and respiratory medications. A shipment of 1,000 N-95 masks, along with personal care items like lotion and soap for evacuees, was delivered to the Lake County Health Department earlier this month.

A total of 20,000 N-95 masks were also sent to the District 4-C1 Lions Club and Shasta County’s Health and Human Services Agency in response to the Carr fire, and additional respiratory medicines and supplies were delivered to Worldwide Healing Hands for those impacted by the Mendocino Complex Fire.

Companies that have supported the response with donated financial support or products include AbbVie, Baxter, BD, CVS, Google, Integra, and Sanofi.

As the situation evolves, Direct Relief will continue to monitor the impact and remains ready to support response efforts as needed.

The post As Wildfires Burn Across California, More Emergency Shipments Bound for Local Health Providers appeared first on Direct Relief.

The Direct Relief-chartered MD-11 cargo jet contained $21 million (wholesale) in donated medical resources from 44 companies (full list of companies below), including extensive quantities of intravenous solutions and prescription medications for acute conditions and chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension that can rapidly become medical emergencies if not managed. 

“This airlift will go a long way towards helping our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico, and I am eternally grateful to Direct Relief and all of the organizations involved,” said President Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, and founder and board chair of the Clinton Foundation. “Their efforts are a reminder that when so many people need our help, our common humanity matters even more.”

The Clinton Foundation has supported Direct Relief’s work for years, including the recovery efforts after the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the response to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014. In the response to the Caribbean hurricanes this year, the Clinton Foundation has helped to coordinate and advise the team at Direct Relief.

Businesses Step Up to Fill Resource Gap

Direct Relief works with dozens of healthcare companies’ philanthropic arms on an ongoing basis to address public health needs and humanitarian crises across the globe and in all 50 U.S. states.  This private philanthropic support from businesses, as well as philanthropic support from individuals, foundations, and organizations has enabled a massively stepped-up response to assist in Puerto Rico, where health services have been severely constricted by the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Maria.

44 companies joined in filling specific requests that Direct Relief received from nonprofit health centers, government facilities, and private hospitals in Puerto Rico – all of which have been struggling to restore and expand services to care for the island’s more than 3 million residents.

“Direct Relief has been a wonderful partner for Eli Lilly and Company,” said Rob Smith, senior director of corporate responsibility and president of the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation.  “We have worked together to get insulin to those impacted by the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria.  Lilly could not ask for a more capable, responsive, and compassionate partner.  We are so grateful for all of the things Direct Relief is doing to help the great people of Puerto Rico recover from this terrible disaster.”

The medicines and supplies on the flight were donated by the following companies:

3M; Abbott; AbbVie; Alcon; Allergan plc; Amneal Pharmaceuticals; Apotex Inc.; AstraZeneca; Baxter International Inc.; Bayer; BD; Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Cera Products, Inc.; Cipla; Coola Suncare; CVS; DayOne Response; Ethicon; GSK; Henry Schein, Inc.; Integra LifeSciences; InTouch Health; Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson; Kaléo; LifeScan; Magno-Humphries Labs; Medtronic; Merck & Co., Inc.; Mylan; Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Noble Laboratories, Inc.; Novartis; Pfizer Inc.; Prestige Brands; Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Sanofi Foundation for NA; Sappo Hill Soapworks; Starbucks; Teva Pharmaceuticals, USA; Trividia Health; Vaseline; Wisconsin Pharmacal Company. 

Responding to an Unprecedented Hurricane Season

Today’s airlift follows several weeks of smaller-scale airlifts and hand-carried medications and emergency medical resources to dozens of Puerto Rico’s nonprofit health centers and medical teams organized by the Puerto Rico Department of Health.

Among the critical items has been 565 vials of blood-clotting factor for children with hemophilia, 15,600 vials of insulin, 35 pre-kitted emergency medical packs containing a broad range of Rx medications and supplies, as well as 1500 solar lights and over 4000 bottles of insect repellant to protect against Zika virus.

Direct Relief’s response in Puerto Rico has been concurrent with extensive responses to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma that preceded Maria.

Since Hurricane Harvey’s landfall on August 25, Direct Relief has sent 148 tons of medications, vaccines, and medical supplies valued at $64.7 million (wholesale) and including 19 million defined daily doses of Rx medications delivered via 560 emergency shipments to 143 partner organizations in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, USVI and seven Caribbean countries.

In addition, Direct Relief has provided and committed financial support in the form of grants totaling over $2.7 million to 43 nonprofit health centers and clinics and their primary care associations in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico.

The post 76-Ton Airlift of Medicine and Medical Supplies Lands in Puerto Rico   appeared first on Direct Relief.

More than 1 million people in Haiti are still in need due to the hurricane, and disease remains rampant, with almost 4,000 cholera cases reported since Oct. 4.

Direct Relief was quick to respond to healthcare partners after the storm and will continue to do so through the recovery.

Financial Summary

Direct Relief received more than 3,000 Hurricane Matthew-designated financial contributions totaling $827,962; including pledges, the total increases to $1,071,266.

Direct Relief recognizes that the generous supporters who pledged and gave more than $1 million in response to Hurricane Matthew did so with the express intent that their contributions benefit people affected by the storm.

In accepting funds for Hurricane Matthew, Direct Relief understands that both those who contributed — and the people for whose benefit the contributions were made — deserve to know, in detail, how Direct Relief is using these funds.

*Direct Relief does not rely on government funding.

The Response

As the world’s attention shifts, Direct Relief remains committed to supporting the needs of local healthcare providers in Haiti and the U.S.

United States

Direct Relief shipped $1.3 million worth of supplies to impacted communities in the U.S. after Matthew. Five tons of medicines and medical supplies were sent in 29 different shipments.

Before the storm made landfall, Direct Relief had prepositioned emergency medical modules in the hurricane’s path. Two were opened after the storm, one at the Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center in North Carolina, and another at the Franklin C. Fetter Health Care Network in South Carolina.

Each U.S.–bound pack contains enough medicines and supplies to treat 100 patients for three to five days after a hurricane hits.

Haiti

Roadways and bridges were washed away by the storm, and some of the hardest-hit communities in the southwestern part of the country also proved the most difficult to access. In the following weeks, Direct Relief used any means possible to transport aid, including by helicopters and ships.

Since Oct. 4, Direct Relief delivered $10 million worth of medicines and medical supplies to Haiti – nearly 20 tons. That included more than half a million daily doses of medication.

Material Support

Below is a list of companies that contributed medical resources to the response.

Looking Forward

Cholera persists as a life-threatening force in the country, and Direct Relief will continue to supply partners with supplies to treat this preventable, but deadly, disease. Direct Relief is continuing to deliver shipments of oral rehydration salts, IV equipment and other needed supplies.

The next delivery is scheduled to arrive in the coming days with more than 500,000 water purification sachets. Each sachet can clean 10 liters of drinking water. In total, the shipment will result in nearly 1.5 million gallons of safe drinking water.

The shipment will also contain oral rehydration salts, which can be mixed with the purified water to restore the electrolytes of a dehydrated person.

The post Hurricane Matthew: The Response Continues appeared first on Direct Relief.

Not only did the floodwaters tear homes from their foundations, but it broke gas lines, causing some buildings to engulf in flames.

While floodwaters have since receded, the recovery has just begun for many of West Virginia residents.

Direct Relief’s Response:

In the early hours of the emergency, Direct Relief offered immediate assistance to its existing network of healthcare partners in the affected region, as well as the West Virginia Primary Care Association. Requests for assistance came in right away, with partners expressing an urgent need for a large volume of supplies.

As of July 13, Direct Relief has provided the following health centers and clinics with 40 shipments of Rx medications, vaccines, diabetic supplies and insulin, and personal care items, along with emergency medical kits designed to equip health facilities with the medicines resources required to meet the needs of patients immediately after natural or manmade disaster.

• Access Health, a health center based in Raleigh County, was severely impacted by flooding. Still, the health center’s staff have operated a free clinic for flood victims at its Williamsburg location as well as a mobile pharmacy to reach the worst-hit flood areas. Access Health has also provided tetanus vaccinations (Tdap) to highway workers and patients and has partnered with the National Guard to distribute generators and supplies to families in need. To support their efforts, Direct Relief delivered an emergency health kit — a set of essential medicines and supplies designed for emergencies such as this.
• Cabin Creek Health Systems operates four clinic sites across West Virginia, one of which was severely impacted by the floods and, consequentially, experience an urgent need for Tdap, which Direct Relief provided. Direct Relief also provided medicine to another of Cabin Creek’s clinics, 30 miles from Clendenin Health Center.
• Roane County Family Health Care, a Direct Relief partner since 2009, has partnered with the West Virginia Primary Care Association to organize outreach efforts throughout the southern part of Roane County, where they have visited shelters to provide medical care and distribute supplies, including those delivered by Direct Relief.
• West Virginia Health Right, a free clinic in Charleston, has provided medical relief services throughout West Virginia’s most impacted areas. The clinic building has doubled as a large distribution hub for medical supplies throughout the community.

A photo posted by WVPB (@wvpublic) on Jun 24, 2016 at 6:26am PDT

Partners in Relief

The medical supplies, valued at more than $1 million, were donated by more than 25 companies. They include the following:

• 3M
• AbbVie
• Actavis
• Allergan
• Apotex
• AstraZeneca
• Baxter
• BD
• Boehringer Ingelheim
• Calmoseptine
• Colgate
• Covidien
• CVS
• GSK

• Henry Schein
• J&J (Janssen, J&J Consumer, LifeScan)
• Medtronic
• MedVantx
• Merck
• Pfizer
• Prestige
• Sanofi
• Sappo Hill
• Takeda
• Terry Town
• TEVA
• Unilever

Updated 17:27 PT, July 13, 2016

The post West Virginia: Flood Response appeared first on Direct Relief.

Direct Relief’s Response

Through its Hurricane Preparedness Program, Direct Relief had medical supplies prepositioned with health clinics in the region before the storms hit. As the weather intensified last week and over the weekend, Direct Relief extended offers of assistance to 30 more health centers.

At the request of the CareSouth Carolina health center in Hartsville, Direct Relief’s first shipment of medical aid departed the warehouse today. The shipment contained Family Emergency Care Kits for patients whose homes were lost or damaged in the floods. The kits, which were sponsored by CVS, are scheduled to arrive at CareSouth Carolina Wednesday afternoon.

As facilities continue to appraise their patients’ needs in the coming days, Direct Relief is ready to respond to additional requests for medical aid.

The post Emergency Response Update: South Carolina Floods, 10/6 appeared first on Direct Relief.

The National Association of Christian Churches Disaster Services (NACC) based in Houston, Texas and Community Med Assist in Oklahoma City, Okla. have received a combined total of 250 Family Emergency Kits. The kits contain basic hygiene items to comfort families who were forced to evacuate their homes.

Because of CVS Health’s and Vaseline’s commitment to emergency preparedness, the companies donated the care items which were organized into kits by local volunteers in the spring to be on standby for this type of need, enabling Direct Relief to respond quickly.

Additionally, N95 masks from Covidien and sunscreen from Neutrogena were sent to NACC to support volunteers who are helping with cleanup efforts of the damaged homes.

The Direct Relief Emergency Response Team continues to stay in touch with clinic and health center partners in the affected areas, ready to respond to further requests for assistance as the communities rebuild.

To support emergency response initiatives like this one, donate here.

The post Aid Delivered to Flood-Affected Communities in Texas & Oklahoma appeared first on Direct Relief.

The packs will assist health workers and responders in their emergency preparedness and response capabilities and will also be used for street outreach and health fairs.

Modeled after Direct Relief’s Medical Reserve Corps packs, these specially designed backpacks contain supplies and equipment to meet a variety of disaster-related health needs, including infection control, diagnostics, trauma care, and personal protection tools.

Some are designated as ongoing support for disaster-affected areas, including equipping every mobile medical unit operated by New York and New Jersey health centers as well as packs designated for clinics affected by the tornadoes in Moore, Okla. Other packs will go to Direct Relief partners across the nation who requested the packs for their outreach programs.

The ability to go to where the patient is located and provide care is a unique and essential service of health centers and clinics that is critical both in emergencies as well as routine health care.

The backpacks were organized with help from local volunteers, including students from Bishop Garcia Diego High School; a dozen nursing students from Santa Barbara City College; and employees from Vaseline and CVS Health stores, who supported the initiative.

The post 400 Medical Outreach Packs Bound for Responders Across the U.S. appeared first on Direct Relief.

“Cost should not be a barrier to receiving important preventive health care such as a flu vaccination. While most insurance plans fully cover the cost of a flu shot, our partnership with Direct Relief will help ensure that thousands of uninsured patients will have access to a flu shot at CVS/pharmacy or MinuteClinic at no cost to them,” said Papatya Tankut, RPh, Vice President of Pharmacy Affairs at CVS Health.

Direct Relief’s network of more than 1,200 community health centers and clinics nationwide enables CVS Health’s generous contribution to reach people who need help.

“While flu shots offer the best protection against influenza viruses, too many families with low incomes and without insurance are unable to afford the vaccination,” said Damon Taugher, director of U.S. programs at Direct Relief. “Direct Relief is delighted to work with CVS Health to help protect thousands of people who are in tough financial situations access a flu shot at no cost to them this season.”

Community health clinics that received flu shot vouchers are located in the following metropolitan areas:

• Boston, MA
• Chicago, IL
• Dallas, TX
• Detroit, MI
• Houston, TX
• Los Angeles, CA
• Miami, FL
• New York City, NY
• Newark, NJ
• Orlando, FL
• Philadelphia, PA
• Phoenix, AZ
• Tampa, FL
• Trenton, NJ

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone ages six months and older get an annual flu shot. All CVS/pharmacy and all Minute Clinic locations inside select CVS/pharmacy stores can administer flu vaccinations every day with no appointment needed, including evening and weekends.^*

About CVS Health

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through our 7,700 retail pharmacies, more than 900 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 65 million plan members, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, we enable people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable, effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at www.cvshealth.com.

^*Certain immunizations have age and location restrictions. Flu shots are available when immunizing pharmacist, Minute Clinic nurse practitioner or physician assistant is on duty, while supplies last.

The post CVS Health and Direct Relief Partner to Donate $1 Million in Flu Shot Vouchers to Uninsured Patients of Community Health Clinics appeared first on Direct Relief.

“With every CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic location providing flu vaccinations this year, we want to make sure that as many people as possible have access to a flu shot, including patients for whom cost may be a barrier,” said Larry Merlo, President and COO, CVS Caremark. “The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that everyone receive a flu shot this year. We are pleased to partner with Direct Relief USA to help accomplish that goal.”

“Direct Relief is delighted to partner with CVS Caremark to help protect thousands of people who are in a tough financial situation with a free flu shot this season,” said Thomas Tighe, President and CEO of Direct Relief. “The network we’ve built in collaboration with community health centers and clinics nationwide enables CVS Caremark’s generous contribution to reach people who need help in a very efficient way. CVS Caremark is demonstrating great leadership by addressing an annual public-health risk.”

“We appreciate CVS Caremark’s free flu shot donation to uninsured patients of community health centers.  This is certainly an example of a partnership that provides support for safety net providers and the patients they serve,” said Malvise Scott, Senior Vice President, Partnership and Resource Development, NACHC.

Beginning September 20, 2010, CVS free flu shot vouchers for the uninsured will be available at participating community clinic and health centers for their existing patients. Names and locations of participating clinics will be made available on September 20.

CVS/pharmacy has more than 7,000 locations and MinuteClinic has more than 500 locations inside select CVS/pharmacy stores. Customers can make an appointment to receive a flu shot from a CVS pharmacist at the time, date and location of their choice by using the My Flu Shot Scheduler available at www.cvs.com/flu or by calling toll-free 1-888-FLU-SHOT (1-888-88-GRIPE for Spanish).  MinuteClinic nurse practitioners are available to provide vaccinations 7 days a week during regular business hours with no appointment required.

MinuteClinic nurse practitioners can vaccinate patients who are 18 months or older except in Massachusetts, where the minimum age is 24 months. The minimum age for vaccinations by a pharmacist varies depending on the state. Check with your local CVS/pharmacy or visit www.cvs.com/flu to determine minimum vaccination age by state.

The post CVS Caremark to Offer $5 Million in Free Flu Shots to Uninsured Patients appeared first on Direct Relief.

The organization has supplied 11 community clinics with inhalers, particulate masks, and nebulizers to treat patients experiencing respiratory difficulties from the smoke, ash, and dust kicked up by gusting Santa Ana winds.  Direct Relief also is providing personal care items for use by evacuees.

Direct Relief has been in direct contact with more than 50 regional safety-net clinics since Sunday and is coordinating response efforts with clinic staff, regional clinic associations, the statewide California Primary Care Association, the University of California, and county and state emergency response and medical officials.

The six clinics supplied today with specifically requested medical items are:

• Imperial Beach Health Center, Imperial Beach
• Neighborhood Health Care, Escondido
• OCRM/Orange County Rescue Mission, Santa Ana
• San Ysidro Health Center, San Ysidro
• San Diego Mid-City Clinic, San Diego
• Vista Community Clinic, Vista
• Nma Comprehensive Health Center, San Diego

CVS recently donated N-95 particulate masks to Direct Relief, and approximately 80,000 masks will be delivered tomorrow to San Diego Fire and Rescue which requested the masks and is helping to coordinate efforts in San Diego County.

Direct Relief also is drawing upon 25,000 inhalers in its inventory to respond to specific requests by medical staff at regional health facilities.  Schering-Plough donated the inhalers to Direct Relief.

Partner clinics are reporting an increased need for products to treat patients experiencing breathing complications.  They also report concerns about patients on prescription medicines for chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, who may have been forced to evacuate without their medicines or prescriptions.

“Our experience in emergency situations, including after Katrina, is that safety-net clinics serve a key role in caring for displaced people, particularly those who are low-income and vulnerable,” said Damon Taugher, Direct Relief’s Director of Domestic Initiatives. “We were fortunate to have available strong inventories of particulate masks and inhalers, thanks to recent substantial donations of those products from CVS and Schering-Plough.”

The 11 shipments furnished by Direct Relief in the past two days have a wholesale value of $191,724.

As has been the policy of the organization with recent emergency response efforts, any financial assistance Direct Relief receives that is designated for the California fires will be used exclusively for programmatic costs associated with supporting clinics’ efforts to care for patients and displaced individuals and families.

Direct Relief pays all its organization’s overhead costs of administration and fundraising from a bequest received in 2006.

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