Medications and supplies shipped this week included diabetes treatments, women’s health therapies, oncology medications, and more.

Two Thousand Pounds of Emergency Supplies Provided to U-VOL Foundation

A shipment of more than 2,000 pounds of emergency medicines and supplies was delivered to U-VOL Foundation in Benue State, Nigeria, where health facilities continue to support communities affected by conflict and ongoing displacement. U-VOL shared photos from a recent site visit with local hospital leaders and community partners as the materials were received. 

The shipment included field medic packs, oral rehydration salts, antibiotics, antihypertensives, and other essential medicines to strengthen emergency response capacity and support clinicians, nurses, and community health workers across low-resource and crisis-affected areas. 

Direct Relief will continue coordinating with U-VOL as the organization deploys the materials to health facilities and internally displaced persons sites throughout Benue State. Additional support will be provided as new requests are received and as conditions in the region evolve. 

Medical Aid Continues for Haiti, Post-Storm

This week, medical aid continued to depart for Hurricane Melissa-impacted communities in the Caribbean.

More than 7,000 pounds of medical support, including antibiotics, diagnostic equipment, medical tents, chronic disease medications, and more departed for the nonprofit organization, Hope for Haiti.

The organization operates Infirmary St. Etienne, a health clinic in Les Cayes, which provides care for more than 13,000 people annually on Haiti’s southern peninsula. Hope for Haiti continues to support individuals displaced by flooding and ongoing infrastructure damage across the region.

Community Health Fair in San Juan Expands Access to Specialized Care

A community health fair hosted on November 12 at Corporación La Fondita de Jesús in San Juan brought specialized medical services directly to individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use, as well as to residents from nearby communities. More than 101 participants attended the event, many accessing subspecialty care for the first time. 

Direct Relief organized the health fair in collaboration with RWJ Barnabas Health subspecialists, who provided a total of 145 clinical services, including pulmonology, OB/GYN, ENT, and podiatry evaluations.  

Community health organizations Health ProMed and Hoare supported referrals and follow-up appointments, while medical students from the Ponce School of Medicine assisted as translators and clinical support. Dr. PJ Vazquez also conducted home visits for three elderly individuals unable to attend. 

Direct Relief will continue working with La Fondita de Jesús and local health partners to explore opportunities for additional community-based events, strengthen referral pathways, and expand access to essential services for populations facing significant barriers to care. 

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 596 shipments containing 411,459 doses of medication this past week to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 5.5 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 38,179 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 26.6K shipments to 2,671 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 88 countries. These shipments contained 288.8 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.9 billion wholesale, totaling 3.7 million lbs.

IN THE NEWS

Amy Weaver: Putting Purpose to Work | The Giving List 

Vaseline and Direct Relief Donate $100,000 to Support Mobile Medical Units, Expanding Skin Health Access in Los Angeles and New Orleans 

Rediscover Legends Reborn with the Masterful Remasters Bundle – Green Man Gaming Blog 

Embecta expands diabetes partnership with Direct Relief 

Vaseline & Direct Relief Donate $100,000 in Grants to Medical Mobile Unit | Happi 

embecta Expands Direct Relief Partnership, Donates 15M Units | EMBC Stock News 

Direct Relief Donates to Jason Henzell’s BREDS Foundation 

Carnival Returns to Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa | Travel Agent Central 

How is the cruise industry responding to Hurricane Melissa? 

Celebrities step up to offer aid for Jamaica’s recovery efforts after Hurricane Melissa 

Carnival Brings Cruise Ships Back to Ocho Rios, Jamaica Following Major Hurricane 

Ofrecen servicios médicos gratuitos a comunidades | Último Minuto | notiuno.com 

Direct Relief y La Fondita de Jesús llevan servicios de salud a comunidades vulnerables en Santurce – Ey Boricua 

Médicos voluntarios extienden su mano para ayudar a los participantes de la Fondita de Jesús – Primera Hora 

The post Emergency Aid Arrives in Nigeria and Haiti, Health Services Expand for Those in Puerto Rico appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included diabetes therapies, rare disease treatments, pain-relief medications, cold-chain equipment, and more.

Direct Relief Boosts Support as Post-Melissa Health Needs Grow

Direct Relief continues supporting health facilities across the Caribbean as communities work to restore essential services following Hurricane Melissa. To date, several large scale shipments of emergency medical aid have been delivered across the region—including antibiotics, chronic disease therapies, first-aid supplies, IV solutions, and disease-prevention items.

 In Jamaica, Direct Relief staff have been in-country this week coordinating with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, PAHO, and local partners. Recent deliveries include the Nov. 8 chartered airlift of 16 tons of medical supplies and a follow-on shipment of insulin supporting the annual treatment needs of 300 children and youth with Type 1 diabetes. 

Direct Relief continues working closely with partners to meet ongoing health needs and strengthen recovery efforts across affected communities.

Mobilizing Support Following Back-to-Back Typhoons in the Philippines

Back-to-back storms — Typhoon Kalmaegi and Super Typhoon Fung-wong — have caused extensive flooding, landslides, and widespread damage across the Philippines, displacing more than 1 million people and leading to significant disruptions in health services.  A nationwide state of emergency remains in effect as authorities continue search and rescue operations and assess emerging health needs. 

Direct Relief has been in active communication with long-standing partners across the region, including the Philippines Disaster Resilience Foundation and the AHA Center, to assess medical needs as conditions evolve.  

A $10,000 emergency grant has been approved for PH-Wadah to support ongoing operations in Cebu and at its birthing center in Aborlan, Palawan, where flooding has disrupted maternal and child health services. Direct Relief has also made an emergency offer of medical aid to the Philippines Department of Health and is awaiting confirmation to mobilize additional shipments once the government declares its highest emergency rating. 

Direct Relief will continue to closely monitor the situation and prepare medical inventories for rapid deployment to support health facilities in affected communities as requests are received. 

Direct Relief’s New Europe Entity Completes First Donation with Teva

Direct Relief’s newly launched European entity has completed its first coordinated medicine donation, working with Teva to deliver essential treatments to logistics partner Logicall.  

The milestone follows the opening of Direct Relief’s European headquarters in Frankfurt earlier this month, where global partners and health leaders gathered to mark the organization’s expanded capacity to streamline EU-based donations and strengthen humanitarian supply chains.  

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 667 shipments containing 1.3 million doses of medication this past week to organizations, including the following:

AROUND THE WORLD

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 575,961 defined daily doses of medication, totaling 18,860 lbs., to countries including the following:

Year-to-Date

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 26K shipments to 2,636 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 88 countries. These shipments contained 282.9 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.9 billion wholesale, totaling 3.7 million lbs.

IN THE NEWS

On the Ground in Jamaica, Direct Relief Emergency Team Reports Devastation, Heroism after Melissa – Angels in Medicine 

Small Plane Carrying Hurricane Relief Supplies To Jamaica Crashes | WBZ NewsRadio 1030 | NightSide with Dan Rea 

How to Help Jamaica Relief Efforts After Hurricane Melissa 

Direct Relief Recognized as an Action for Women’s Health Awardee for Its Work To Expand Global Maternal Care 

Direct Relief donates medical supplies to Jamaica – Jamaica Observer

Small Plane Carrying Hurricane Relief Supplies To Jamaica Crashes | KFI AM 640 | Leo Laporte – The Tech Guy 

embecta Corp. Expands Partnership with Direct Relief to Enhance Access to Diabetes Supplies on World Diabetes Day 

embecta Announces Major New Commitment to Direct Relief

embecta Expands Direct Relief Partnership, Donates 15M Units | EMBC Stock News 

The post Medical Aid to Jamaica, Supporting Women’s Health in the Philippines and More appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included rare disease therapies, diabetes medications, personal protective equipment, field medic packs for first responders, and more.

In Mexico, Expanding Health Services in Flooded Communities

Direct Relief is continuing its response to severe flooding in Mexico, working with partners to expand access to medical care in affected communities. This week, staff joined the NGO Medical Impact during a medical campaign in Huauchinango, Puebla — one of the areas hardest hit by last month’s flooding — and delivered 10 additional emergency medical backpacks donated by FedEx to support ongoing care. 

More than 100,000 households were affected by the floods, and Direct Relief teams and partner organizations continue to distribute medical supplies and assess needs as recovery efforts progress. More than 300 pallets of medical aid are currently being prepared for distribution to health facilities serving impacted families. 

Direct Relief Scales Emergency Medical Support to Jamaica with Charter Flight

Direct Relief is expanding its medical response in Jamaica as health facilities continue to face severe outages and supply shortages following Hurricane Melissa. To meet ongoing needs, Direct Relief has chartered a Boeing 757 scheduled to depart Miami on Nov. 8 with approximately 16 tons of emergency medical aid requested by Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness.

The airlift includes chronic disease medications, PPE, first-aid supplies, oral rehydration solutions, water purification tablets, and mosquito repellent, which public health officials have identified as critical due to rising vector-borne disease risk. A $50,000 emergency grant has also being provided to the JAHJAH Foundation to support local health and recovery efforts. 

Prepositioned hurricane preparedness packs and field medic packs have already been deployed in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the National Health Fund, and PAHO, with additional shipments of essential medicines and other requested aid arriving in Kingston this week. 

Direct Relief Opens New European Headquarters

Direct Relief staff and global partners gathered in Frankfurt, Germany, for the launch of the organization’s new European headquarters on Nov. 3, 2025. The event brought together health leaders, pharmaceutical partners, and government representatives from across Europe and crisis-affected regions.

The event marked a major milestone in expanding the organization’s ability to deliver medical aid worldwide. Attendees described the moment as both long-awaited and deeply meaningful, with speakers from Ukraine, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East reflecting on the impact of Direct Relief’s support in their communities and the importance of strengthening humanitarian supply chains at a time of growing global need. 

Monitoring Impacts of Typhoon Kalmaegi in the Philippines and Vietnam

Direct Relief is closely monitoring the severe impacts of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which caused extensive flooding and landslides across the Philippines before moving west into Vietnam and neighboring countries. Hundreds of casualties have been reported, and authorities in both countries have declared states of emergency as response efforts continue.

Direct Relief has been in communication with longtime disaster response partners in the region, including the Philippines Disaster Resilience Foundation and the AHA Center. Direct Relief will continue to monitor the situation closely and remains ready to mobilize medical aid if needed. 

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 607 shipments containing 403,760 doses of medication this past week to organizations, including the following:

AROUND THE WORLD

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 6 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 86,047 lbs., to countries including the following:

Year-to-Date

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 25.3K shipments to 2,609 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 87 countries. These shipments contained 281.1 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.8 billion wholesale, totaling 3.6 million lbs.

IN THE NEWS

Direct Relief Rushes Lifesaving Aid to Storm-Struck Jamaica | News Channel 3-12 

Direct Relief delivering life-saving medical supplies to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa | Latest Weather Clips | FOX Weather 

Direct Relief Expands Global Humanitarian Operations With Opening of European Headquarters in Frankfurt 

Jamaica hurricane relief: How to help after storm strands farmworkers in Peru – Adirondack Almanack 

Holland America Line Joins Hurricane Melissa Relief Efforts – Cruise Industry News | Cruise News 

Carnival Horizon Makes Relief Call to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Delivering Thousands of Hurricane Aid Supplies | Carnival Cruise Line 

Naples groups aid Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa. How to help 

In move to reach survivors in Haiti, millions for hurricane relief bypass government 

Direct Relief Mobilizes Emergency Response for Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa 

How to help Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa 

A Look at Carnival (CCL) Valuation After Its High-Profile Hurricane Relief Efforts in Jamaica – Simply Wall St News 

Grim death toll rises in Jamaica, as nation grapples with disaster left behind by historic Hurricane Melissa | Fox Weather 

Hurricane Melissa Recovery: How Airlines and Travel Brands Are Helping the Caribbean – Travel And Tour World 

Travel industry rallies to raise funds for Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa – News 

Improved Connectivity Expected In Western Jamaica This Week | RJR News – Jamaican News Online 

Carnival Horizon Delivers Vital Hurricane Relief Supplies to Jamaica – Jamaica Information Service 

Gov’t partners with OECS to boost healthcare resilience 

Direct Relief has provided Ukraine with $2 billion in aid: what healthcare professionals received – all the latest news today – Inkorr 

The post Emergency Response and Monitoring Continues in Mexico, Jamaica, and the Philippines appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included N95 respirator masks, emergency medical backpacks, and treatments for diabetes and skin inflammation.

Direct Relief Continues to Send Critical Medical Aid to Jamaica Following Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic storms ever recorded, continues to cause severe damage across the Caribbean, with Jamaica hit hardest by winds exceeding 180 miles per hour and widespread flooding. Health facilities in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic have sustained significant damage, complicating ongoing relief efforts.

Direct Relief has committed $250,000 in emergency funding and dispatched multiple shipments of aid to the region, including field medic packs, hygiene kits, and other requested aid to support thousands of patients in affected communities. Medicines and supplies Direct Relief had already positioned in the region, including hurricane preparedness packs and field medic packs, have been deployed to affected areas.

Today, additional pallets of critical medical supplies, valued at roughly $1 million, are being prepared for shipment to Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness from Direct Relief’s Santa Barbara warehouse. In the shipment are antibiotics, mental health medications, drugs and supplies for diabetes, oral rehydration solutions, water purification tablets, prenatal vitamins, safety vests, and protective equipment, among other requested aid. Direct Relief staff are now on the ground in Jamaica to assess needs and coordinate response activities with the Ministry of Health, PAHO, and local partners.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 516 shipments containing 427,855 doses of medication this past week to organizations, including the following:

AROUND THE WORLD

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 2.7 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 47,076 lbs., to countries including the following:

Year-to-Date

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 24.6K shipments to 2,597 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 87 countries. These shipments contained 275.5 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.8 billion wholesale, totaling 3.5 million lbs.

IN THE NEWS

Santa Barbara’s Direct Relief Sends Aid to Hurricane Battered Caribbean – The Santa Barbara Independent

HEAT, CARNIVAL DONATE $1M TO DIRECT RELIEF IN SUPPORT OF HURRICANE RECOVERY EFFORTS | Miami Heat

Video Relief organization trying to reach Jamaica in wake of Hurricane Melissa – ABC News

How to help those impacted by Hurricane Melissa – NBC Boston

Direct Relief’s Ivonne Rodríguez on how to help Hurricane Melissa victims | KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM | Colorado’s Morning News

11Alive News: The Take | Hurricane Melissa: A helping hand (10/30/25) | 11alive.com

Carnival donates $1m to Jamaica hurricane relief

Miami Heat and Carnival make $1M donation to Hurricane Melissa relief efforts | Miami | islandernews.com

Holland America Line Joins Hurricane Melissa Relief Efforts – Cruise Industry News | Cruise News

Heat, Carnival donate $1M to support hurricane recovery in Jamaica

Travel companies contribute to Hurricane Melissa relief efforts: Travel Weekly

Here’s how to help Hurricane Melissa victims

Local organization helping Hurricane Melissa response – KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News

With Support From FedEx, Direct Relief Responds to Multiple Disasters

Carnival Makes Relief Donation to Jamaica Following Devastating Hurricane

How to help Hurricane Melissa victims

How To Help Those Impacted By Hurricane Melissa

Україна отримала понад $2 млрд підтримки від Direct Relief у сфері охорони здоров’я

The post A New Shipment to Jamaica Meets Post-Hurricane Needs, Part of Large-Scale Medical Aid Response appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included treatments for diabetes, pain and inflammation, and bacterial infections.

Tropical Storm Melissa Gains Strength, Bringing Damage to the Caribbean

Tropical Storm Melissa continues to pose a major threat across the Caribbean, bringing heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and landslides to Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. Three people have been killed as a result of the storm’s impacts in Haiti, and between 10–20 inches of rain are expected in southwestern Haiti and eastern Jamaica through Monday, with 6–12 inches expected across southern Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic.

Direct Relief has shipped more than $3 million in medical support recently to Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The organization is also preparing a shipment of 100 field medic packs for the National Health Fund Jamaica, as well as 250 personal care kits with hygiene items for displaced families.

The organization will continue to monitor medical needs as the storm’s impacts become known.

Direct Relief Expands Oxygen Access in The Gambia

Direct Relief’s Regional Director for Africa, Jeffrey Samuel, joined partners in The Gambia this month for the inauguration of a new medical oxygen system at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul.

The system, part of the larger AIRS project, provides reliable medical-grade oxygen and training for biomedical technicians, helping strengthen care for newborns and critically ill patients.

Government leaders, health officials, and the First Lady of the Gambia recognized Direct Relief’s ongoing support, including recent medical shipments that improved oxygen access nationwide.

Health Organizations from Across U.S. Share Learnings

Direct Relief hosted a two-day learning summit at its headquarters this week for 34 leaders from 18 health centers and free clinics. The gathering marked the completion of a two-year program, in partnership with Pfizer, that delivered more than 127,000 vaccinations and reached over 700,000 people in underserved communities.

Through the Innovation Awards in Community Health: Addressing Infectious Disease in Underserved Communities, Direct Relief and Pfizer invested $4.52 million in local programs that maintained trust between providers and the communities they serve.

Summit participants shared lessons learned, discussed strategies for sustaining community-based vaccination efforts, and explored opportunities for continued collaboration.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 550 shipments containing 1.9 million doses of medication this past week to organizations, including the following:

AROUND THE WORLD

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 4.3 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 34,925 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 24.1K shipments to 2,588 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 86 countries. These shipments contained 272.4 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.8 billion wholesale, totaling 3.5 million lbs.

IN THE NEWS

Direct Relief: Lebanon & Honduras — Humanitarian News Feed 

The OECS and Direct Relief Strengthen Vector Control and Surveillance in Antigua and Barbuda – iNews Cayman

Doctors Without Walls Updates Donors on Street Medicine Work — The Independent

ICM’s Midwives Data Hub a Finalist for Prestigious Anthem Award — International Confederation of Midwives

The Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul has commissioned its first medical oxygen production plant, an $8 million facility supported by Direct Relief and other partners. The plant is expected to ensure a steady supply of lifesaving oxygen and strengthen the hospital’s capacity to manage critical cases. | QTV Gambia | Facebook 

The post Responding to Tropical Storm Melissa, Oxygen Needs in West Africa, and More appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included treatments for chronic conditions, mental health, pain relief, and surgical care.

Responding to Floods In Alaska, Post-Typhoon

In response to major flooding in areas of western Alaska, Direct Relief has been shipping medical aid to the state this week to support evacuees and others impacted by the storms. Direct Relief provided field medic packs and personal care items for displaced people to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, or ANHC, located in Anchorage.

A part of a statewide coalition of organizations, ANHC is working to coordinate relief provisions to directly impacted individuals. The organization is coordinating material aid to areas of greatest need, providing financial assistance to displaced families, and coordinating transportation of supplies to Southwest Alaska. ANHC will also receive $50,000 to support emergency response costs.

Direct Relief has provided more than $5 million in medical and financial support to organizations across the state since 2008, and will continue to respond to needs arising from the recent floods.

Medical Deliveries Support Critical Health Services in South Sudan

Medical aid from Direct Relief is being used to provide health services in South Sudan via the non-profit, the MAMA Project. The group and other in-country partners distributed donated medicines and medical supplies to six primary health care units and Mother Teresa Hospital in Twic and Gogrial West counties of Warrap State. The deliveries, coordinated with local health authorities, restored essential care in communities that had gone months without medical supplies. 

The supplies enabled medical teams to resume treatment for a wide range of preventable and infectious diseases and respond to trauma and emergency cases. Additional donations, including surgical tools and emergency medical backpacks, strengthened clinical capacity at Mother Teresa Hospital, while personal care items distributed to women and girls helped address critical health and hygiene needs among displaced populations.

Local health workers reported sharp improvements in service delivery following the arrival of the medications, which filled significant gaps left by delayed public supply chains.  

Dr. Bith Kondok, an anesthetist at Mother Teresa Hospital, noted that gaps in medication supplies made the Direct Relief-supported deliveries “critical to sustaining lifesaving treatment” for people already living in South Sudan and displaced people arriving from other countries. 

Direct Relief remains committed to supporting frontline health services in Warrap State and expanding access to essential medicines in areas facing severe humanitarian strain. 

Emergency Medical Aid Delivered After Severe Flooding in Mexico

This past month, severe flooding triggered by Tropical Storms Priscilla, Raymond, and Gerry, combined with weeks of heavy monsoon rains, has devastated large areas of central Mexico. More than 200,000 people have been displaced, and many communities remain isolated due to collapsed bridges and landslides. With health services disrupted, local authorities report growing humanitarian needs, particularly among communities in temporary shelters and rural areas now difficult to reach by ground. 

In response, Direct Relief has mobilized emergency medical support to restore access to care, prioritizing treatment for respiratory infections, injuries, waterborne illnesses, and chronic disease disruptions such as diabetes and hypertension.  

To date, Direct Relief has delivered over $90,000 in medical aid, including essential medicines and field medic packs for triage and trauma care. Direct Relief has also provided $25,000 in emergency grant funding to strengthen local medical outreach and support partner response operations.

Additional assistance is underway in coordination with Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), the Guerrero Ministry of Health Urgent Care Unit, and Medical IMPACT as evolving health needs continue to emerge. 

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 755 shipments containing 4 million doses of medication this past week to organizations, including the following:

AROUND THE WORLD

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 24.8 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 111,203 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 23.5K shipments to 2,569 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 86 countries. These shipments contained 266.2 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.8 billion wholesale, totaling 3.4 million lbs.

IN THE NEWS

Direct Relief Mobilizes Ahead of Storm in Southern California | News Channel 3-12 

Mitski Surprise-Releases The Land: The Live Album | Pitchfork 

“La tormenta”, documental sobre la recuperación de Puerto Rico tras el huracán María, se presentará en el Lusca Film Fest – El Nuevo Día 

Anthem Awards Community Voice 

SEEHN Secretariat Meets with Direct Relief Representatives to Explore Regional Collaboration | SEEHN 

FedEx Helps Direct Relief Sustain Response to Landslides in Rural India 

The post Medical Support Departs for Alaska, Mexico Flood Response Efforts appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included treatments for chronic health conditions and mental health, as well as emergency response support.

Infants in Lebanon Breathe Easier with Respiratory Medicines

A critical medication for infants who need respiratory support has arrived at 10 hospitals in Lebanon. Nonprofit Anera has delivered Beractant-Survanta, a critical lung surfactant for premature infants born before 34 weeks, to the NICUs of 10 public hospitals across the country.  

The medication, donated by Direct Relief, helps babies born prematurely to breathe until their lungs are strong enough to do it on their own. The donation is the most recent shipment of this life-saving medicine, covering the national need for five months and estimated to save the lives of 150 newborns, increasing survival rates by at least 45% compared to similar treatments, according to Anera. 

Direct Relief has provided more than $261 million in medical support to Lebanon since 2009.

Medication Hub in Honduras Gets Aid the Last Mile

This week, the Ruth Paz Foundation in Honduras highlighted ongoing activity at the medical warehouse and distribution center in San Pedro Sula, where medicines and health supplies are continuing to move through the facility to reach hospitals and clinics across the country.

The distribution center, developed with funding and support from Direct Relief and inaugurated in April 2024, has strengthened Honduras’s medical supply chain by improving storage capacity and inventory management. With the facility integrated into regular operations, Ruth Paz is able to manage larger shipments and ensure a steady flow of essential medicines to patients who face barriers to care.

The site also serves as a key resource during emergencies, helping local healthcare providers respond more quickly to hurricanes, disease outbreaks, and other crises.

Direct Relief has partnered with the Ruth Paz Foundation for more than a decade, providing over $34 million in medical material aid.

Tropical Storm Jerry Churns Through Atlantic

Direct Relief is monitoring Tropical Storm Jerry as warnings remain in effect across parts of the Eastern Caribbean. While the storm is not currently forecast to make landfall, heavy rain and storm surge are expected in the region.

Direct Relief has coordinated with regional partner the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and remains ready to support. Emergency resources already prepositioned in the region include three Hurricane Preparedness Packs and 54 emergency medical backpacks for rapid deployment. Recent resilience investments through Direct Relief’s $3 million grant to OECS have also strengthened medical infrastructure and emergency readiness across the region.

Direct Relief Equips Search and Rescue Organization with New Vehicle

With support from Direct Relief, Ventura County East Valley Search and Rescue has enhanced its emergency response capacity with a new 4×4 rescue vehicle. The vehicle was funded through Direct Relief’s Search and Rescue Fund, which provides equipment and operational support to volunteer rescue teams responding to emergencies and disasters.

The new vehicle is currently in active use for search and rescue missions in remote or difficult terrain, and evacuations of residents who cannot safely leave on their own. The vehicle also supports field logistics, such as transporting water, equipment, and medical supplies.

In addition to vehicle funding, Direct Relief provided emergency operating funds during the recent Los Angeles wildfires to support the team’s mutual aid deployments.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 444 shipments containing 1.8 million doses of medication this past week to organizations, including the following:

AROUND THE WORLD

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 8.8 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 68,909 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 22.7K shipments to 2,550 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 86 countries. These shipments contained 241.3 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.6 billion wholesale, totaling 3.3 million lbs.

The post Helping Infants Breathe in Lebanon, Distributing Medicines in Honduras, and More appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included treatments for hormonal health, mental health, diabetes, cancer therapies, and pediatric care.

Cancer Therapies Bound for Ghana

This week, Direct Relief shipped essential medicines, including cancer treatments, to Ghana to support Breast Care International, a nonprofit providing lifesaving treatment, education, and awareness programs for women facing breast cancer. 

The shipment was made possible through Teva’s Breast Cancer Access Program — a partnership between Teva, Breast Care International, and Direct Relief — which ensures up to 400 women in Ghana each year can access essential cancer medicines. In a country where as many as 70% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, timely access to medication is often the difference between life and death. 

In addition to cancer medicines, the delivery included treatments for heart conditions, infections, mental health, and general patient care — covering both essential and supportive therapies. 

Direct Relief staff recently visited BCI in Ghana, further underscoring the importance of this long-standing partnership and the urgent need to expand access to care. Since 2014, Direct Relief has provided more than $100 million in medical support to BCI, working alongside Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai and her team to strengthen early detection, treatment, and cancer care nationwide. 

Personal Care Kits Distributed at Pasadena Fire Recovery Fair

Earlier this week, Shared Harvest and DENA Forward distributed Direct Relief-donated personal care items at a Pasadena community fair for families affected by the Eaton Fire. The kits help families meet basic needs and safeguard their health as the community continues recovering from the fires earlier this year. In addition, the event provided residents with health screenings, educational resources, and other recovery services. 

By working alongside partners like Shared Harvest and DENA, Direct Relief helps ensure communities have access to both immediate relief items and the broader support needed to recover and rebuild. 

At the same time, Direct Relief hosted a volunteer packing event at its Santa Barbara headquarters, where volunteers assembled dental care kits for children to be distributed to local organizations across Santa Barbara County.

Restoring Access to Care: Grants Supporting Maui’s Recovery

Following the devastating Maui wildfires in 2023, Direct Relief partnered with Mauliola Pharmacy to ensure displaced residents maintained access to essential medicines and care. Direct Relief supported these emergency efforts with funding and shipments of requested medicines, vaccines, medical supplies, and personal protective equipment. 

Beyond emergency response, Direct Relief has continued to support Mauliola Pharmacy’s sister organization, Nohona Health, which blends traditional Native Hawaiian healing with modern medicine. With grant funding, Nohona Health built a greenhouse to expand access to medicinal plants, strengthen cultural education, and create new opportunities for emotional and physical healing. 

From urgent medication access to long-term community healing, Direct Relief’s partnerships in Maui reflect a broader commitment: supporting locally led recovery and resilience initiatives long after the immediate crisis has passed. 

Ryan’s Bar Mitzvah Project Supports Communities Affected by Floods

Direct Relief’s mission to support people affected by disasters recently inspired 13-year-old Ryan to select the organization as the focus of his bar mitzvah project. Drawing from his Torah portion, the story of Noah and the flood, Ryan wanted to give back by supporting an organization that helps people impacted by flooding and other disasters. 

To raise funds, Ryan organized a bake sale at his synagogue, preparing all the treats himself. His efforts raised $277, which he generously donated online to Direct Relief. His support comes at a critical time, as Direct Relief continues to respond to severe flooding events worldwide, including the recent floods in Texas, Bali, and Pakistan. 

Contributions like Ryan’s help ensure that communities affected by disasters have access to the medical aid they need. Direct Relief is grateful for Ryan’s generosity — and for the many others who support its mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by emergencies. 

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 543 shipments containing 1.9 million doses of medication this past week to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 11.4 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 66,733 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 22.2K shipments to 2,515 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 86 countries. These shipments contained 230.8 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.6 billion wholesale, totaling 3.2 million lbs.

The post Strengthening Women’s Health in Ghana, Ongoing Response to L.A., Maui Fires, and More appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included treatments for diabetes, rare diseases, autoimmune conditions, and bone health.

Direct Relief Supports Bali Flood Response with Emergency Funding

Severe flooding and landslides this week have left at least 19 people dead, hundreds displaced, and thousands more affected across six of Bali’s eight regions. Bali’s capital, Denpasar, was among the hardest hit as torrential rains flooded neighborhoods, damaged infrastructure, and set off landslides.

In response to the floods in Bali, Direct Relief has committed $12,000 in emergency funding to support its long-term partner, Bumi Sehat. Led by founder Robin Lim, Bumi Sehat is a respected maternal and child health organization that has supported mothers, children, and families while responding to disasters worldwide since 1995.

Direct Relief has partnered with Bumi through numerous crises since 2010. Bumi’s disaster response team has now been deployed in Bali and is providing essential medical and hygiene items to families affected by the floods. 

As relief efforts continue, Direct Relief remains in close contact with Bumi Sehat to ensure ongoing support as community needs evolve. 

Direct Relief Welcomes Community to Open House

This week, Direct Relief hosted an open house at the organization’s Santa Barbara, California,headquarters. Staff welcomed more than 300 community members for an inside look at how humanitarian aid is distributed globally. 

Visitors had the chance to explore Direct Relief’s humanitarian assistance programs, gain insight into the organization’s global impact through interactive presentations, and learn more about ongoing emergency response efforts. Guests also enjoyed self-guided tours through the state-of-the-art distribution center, where they saw emergency medical aid staged for deployment and met the team that helps power Direct Relief’s mission. 

Tropical Storm Nando Intensifies Over the Philippine Sea

Tropical Storm Nando (Ragasa) has formed over the Philippine Sea and is expected to strengthen quickly in the coming days, with forecasts warning it could reach super typhoon strength as it nears northern Luzon this weekend. Current projections show the storm bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and possible flooding to parts of the Philippines beginning September 20. 

Direct Relief will continue monitoring the storm and remains ready to support health organizations in the region should the storm pose a threat to communities and health systems. 

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 800 shipments containing 1.3 million doses of medication this past week to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 19.2 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 122,464 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 21.2K shipments to 2,457 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 86 countries. These shipments included 210.6 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.5 billion wholesale, totaling 3.1 million lbs.

In the News

Direct Relief Hosts Annual Open House in Santa Barbara – KEYT

Emergency Program to Support Nurses in Gaza and the West Bank – International Council of Nurses

Celebrating 10 Years with Direct Relief – Neighborhood Health Clinic

The post More than 20 Million Doses of Medication Dispatched, Bali Flood Response, and More appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included rare disease treatments, diabetes medications, autoimmune therapies, and IV fluids.

Direct Relief Welcomes Partners from Nepal’s Dhulikhel Hospital

On Tuesday, Direct Relief welcomed longtime partners from Dhulikhel Hospital in Nepal to the organization’s Santa Barbara, California, headquarters. Dr. Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha, founder and executive director, and Dr. Abha Shrestha, senior consultant in obstetrics and gynecology, toured the organization’s warehouse and briefed staff about the hospital’s work in Nepal.

Dhulikhel Hospital, based in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, is a leading non-profit hospital known for expanding access to quality healthcare, training future medical leaders, and serving underserved communities. 

Direct Relief has worked with Dhulikhel Hospital for more than a decade, collaborating on disaster response (including the 2015 earthquake, Covid-19 pandemic, and 2024 flooding) and supporting ongoing medical donation programs.

Portable Ultrasound Devices Expand Care for Patients in Ukraine

Last week, the Association Internationale de Coopération Médicale, or AICM, shared that 140 family doctors and pediatricians in Chernihiv, Ukraine, are now using the mini-ultrasound device “Papillon,”enabling earlier detection of serious health issues and referrals for specialized care. More than 2,500 patients have been examined monthly free of charge, and ongoing trainings — including one last week on urological health — continue to expand the program’s impact.

Direct Relief is proud to partner with AICM on this work. In 2022, Direct Relief provided a $100,000 grant to help supply portable ultrasound devices and training for medical staff in the Chernihiv region, reducing delays in diagnosis and improving access to care. This collaboration continues to strengthen health systems and provide life-saving support in Ukraine.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 509 shipments containing 327,379 doses of medication this past week to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 406,317 defined daily doses of medication, totaling 11,588 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 20.4K shipments to 2,438 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 86 countries. These shipments included 190.2 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.5 billion wholesale, totaling 2.9 million lbs.

The post Medical Support Dispatched to 10 Countries Over Past Week appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included cancer treatments, rare disease therapies, diabetes management medications, and more.

Medications Support Essential Health Services in Georgia, South Africa

Medicines, over-the-counter items, and other requested medical support arrived this week in Atlanta, Georgia, to support critical screening and health services.

SisterLove Inc. is an Atlanta-based organization founded in 1989 in response to a lack of attention and resources for Black women impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The organization provides comprehensive sexual health services, including free HIV/STI screenings and care support, across Atlanta. The organization also operates SisterLove International, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, which is focused on HIV prevention and treatment as well as reproductive health.

Direct Relief has provided more than $245,000 in medical support to the organization, including medications for HIV/AIDS treatments, contraceptives, and essential medicines, as well as a grant through Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity to support a mobile bus that provides health services in the community.

Strengthening Cold Chain Capacity in Colombia

In June, Direct Relief expanded cold chain capacity to support Colombia’s efforts to address yellow fever in the country. In coordination with the Pan American Health Organization, Direct Relief provided 10 ultracold portable freezers to support testing efforts.

The country has recorded an increase in yellow fever in 2025, as well as rising case numbers of dengue fever. Transporting samples from rural areas of Colombia to testing facilities in urban areas proved challenging, with samples often becoming unusable during the long journey.

Direct Relief sent 10 ultra-cold freezers to Colombia to ensure that samples remained viable for testing, which play a crucial role in enabling healthcare workers to identify and treat patients before outbreaks escalate. Transportation of the freezers was provided by FedEx.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief 257 shipments departed containing 436,423 doses of medication during the past week to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 2.0 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 30,954 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 19.9K shipments to 2,400 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 86 countries. These shipments included 189.4 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.4 billion wholesale, totaling 2.9 million lbs.

In the News

How Direct Relief and FedEx Are Helping Fight Disease Outbreaks in Colombia – FedEx

20 Years After Hurricane Katrina: What Humanitarian Organizations Learned from the Historic Storm – Fox Weather

Equipping Midwives for Success and Transforming Maternal Health in Nigeria – Angels in Medicine

The post Medical Support Departs for 15 Countries appeared first on Direct Relief.

These shipments contained 5.5 million defined daily doses of medication — treatments for autoimmune diseases, rare conditions, and diabetes, as well as prenatal vitamins and other essential medicines and supplies.

Equipping First Responders in Pakistan

Direct Relief has supported flood response efforts in Pakistan’s mountainous north, which has been devastated by deadly flooding in recent months. Unprecedented rainfall has caused glacial lakes to overflow, triggering landslides and flash floods. More than 400 people have died, entire villages have been swept away, homes destroyed, and infrastructure washed out — leaving many communities cut off and complicating rescue operations.

For more than 25 years, the Marafie Foundation — a long-time Direct Relief partner — has worked to expand healthcare access in the region. With strategically pre-positioned supplies from Direct Relief, including field medic packs, prenatal vitamins, and diagnostic tools, volunteer medical teams were able to respond quickly in flood-affected areas.

Search and rescue teams reached stranded mountaineers and isolated villages, while medical teams treated the injured and displaced. In one village near the Line of Control — the militarized boundary between India and Pakistan — the Marafie Foundation organized a mobile medical camp. Doctors provided urgent care, distributed Direct Relief-donated medicines, and supported families whose homes and infrastructure had been destroyed.

Expanding Cold Chain Capacity in the West Bank

Conflict in the West Bank has severely disrupted access to insulin and other essential medicines. For people with diabetes, interruptions in supply pose life-threatening risks.

Direct Relief, working with on-the-ground partners and in coordination with local and national agencies, is supporting diabetes care through regular insulin deliveries. Since January, the organization has supplied more than 20 healthcare facilities across the West Bank—enough to treat an estimated 5,500 patients for three months—with another shipment already en route.

Beyond supplying medicines, Direct Relief is working to strengthen local healthcare capacity. In July, the organization installed eight medical-grade refrigerators at Al Ahli Hospital to ensure safe insulin storage. By protecting temperature-sensitive treatments, the new capacity gives people with diabetes a more reliable supply of the medication they need to stay healthy.

Supporting Midwives in Nigeria

Direct Relief-provided midwife kits continue to support safe deliveries at St. Charles Hospital in Nigeria. The kits contain 61 items required for safe, facility-based births.

The U-VOL Foundation has led ongoing health trainings for hospital staff, focusing on advanced maternal and neonatal care. Recent sessions included neonatal resuscitation, managing obstetric emergencies, and using essential supplies to ensure safe deliveries.

Nigeria has one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates, according to the World Health Organization. By strengthening the skills of midwives, nurses, and community health workers, U-VOL and Direct Relief aim to improve maternal outcomes and save lives.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief 418 shipments departed containing 1 million doses of medication during the past week to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 4.5 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 72,173 lbs., to countries including:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 19.6K shipments to 2,390 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 85 countries. These shipments included 187.1 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.4 billion wholesale, totaling 2.9 million lbs.

The post In Northern Pakistan, Equipping First Responders After Deadly Flooding appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included cancer treatments, rare disease therapies, diabetes management medications, anti-inflammatory medications, prenatal vitamins, and more.

Community Health Fair in Puerto Rico Expands Care

Direct Relief supported a community health fair on the island of Vieques last week, and the event provided critical services to patients. Vieques is located off of Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, and has limited access to health services because of its remote location.

Direct Relief has supported healthcare on the island since Hurricane Maria, including to health center HealthProMed, which operates a number of primary care clinics in Puerto Rico, including on Vieques. The health center offered primary care and preventive services to patients as part of the health fair, along with health nonprofit La Fondita de Jesús.

Cancer screening services were provided, including mammograms, and psychological services focused on cancer patients also took place.

Telemedicine Unit Rolls into Action in India

Last month, flooding in Kerala, India, led to a devastating landslide that is believed to have killed more than 400 people and injured and displaced many more.

Amrita Hospital, located in Kerala, deployed a Direct Relief-funded medical bus, equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and treatment facilities, including a new satellite dish, and the vehicle has served as a key mobile health facility for those impacted by the landslide.

Direct Relief has a long history of support to Amrita, dating back to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, after which Direct Relief funded the organization’s first mobile outreach bus. Amrita used the vehicle to conduct medical mobile outreach for the next 19 years, providing services to hundreds of thousands of people around the country.

In 2022, the organization requested funds to build and run a mobile telemedicine unit. This medical bus was designed to enable Amrita Hospital to extend the reach of its health services, to run medical outreach to remote communities without access to regular health services, and respond to disasters, including last month’s flooding and landslide.

Midwife Kits Arrive in Chad

Midwife kits to support safe births recently arrived in Chad. The kits, which contain 61 essential items midwives can use to help women deliver, will be used in rural health outposts located more than 300 miles from the country’s capital.

This week, Direct Relief also shipped a requested delivery of essential medicines and medical supplies to Chad’s Ministry of Public Health, including cancer therapies, treatments for infections and chronic conditions, wound care items, and protective gear for frontline health providers.

Telehealth Effort Connects Patients to Care During Fire

A Direct Relief-funded resilient power project has allowed a local health center to provide critical health services to patients impacted by California’s largest wildfire.

Direct Relief funded the installation of a solar microgrid at the Community Health Centers of the Central Coast in Santa Maria, California, and the facility also serves as a telehealth hub that covers a large portion of the northern part of Santa Barbara County, much of which is rural.

During the Gifford Fire, which began on August 1 and has burned more than 131,000 acres, the health center was able to provide telehealth services for patients who would have had appointments delayed or canceled due to fire-driven health center closures in the rural community of New Cuyama.

“We have been heavily relying on Skyway Telehealth to maintain access for our Cuyama patients and those displaced during the New Cuyama clinic closure,” said Victoria Wood, the clinic’s chief experience officer.

Dozens of visits that would normally take place in Cuyama were shifted to Skyway providers via telehealth, ensuring patients could continue their care uninterrupted.

“This has been a critical lifeline, particularly for patients managing chronic conditions who simply cannot afford gaps in treatment,” Wood said.”The Power for Health initiative at Skyway has been a key part of making this possible by strengthening the infrastructure we’ve depended on during this crisis.”

“We’re deeply grateful for your ongoing partnership and support as we navigate both the immediate impacts of the fire and the longer-term needs of our patients and staff,” Wood said.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief 733 shipments departed containing 1.5 million doses of medication during the past week to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 10 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 94,678 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 19.1K shipments to 2,373 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 85 countries. These shipments included 180 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.4 billion wholesale, totaling 2.8 million lbs.

In the News

20 Years After Katrina, Collaboration Matters – Fast Company

Why The Non-Linear Career Path Is Your Friend—And Other Advice From The 50 Over 50 – Forbes

County Honors Emergency Managers After Busy Month Including Gifford Fire – Noozhawk

The post Expanding Health Services for Patients in Hard-to-Reach Places appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included cancer treatments, rare disease therapies, diabetes management medications, pharmaceutical-grade refrigeration units, surgical supplies, field medic packs for first responders, and more.

Hurricane Erin Strengthens in Atlantic

Tropical Storm Erin has intensified into the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season. Forecasts indicate further strengthening over the weekend, with the potential to reach major Category 4 status. Current models show Erin passing north of Puerto Rico and the Leeward Islands, bringing dangerous swells, rip currents, and squally conditions to parts of the northern Caribbean. While a direct U.S. landfall remains uncertain, forecasters continue to monitor for potential track shifts toward the East Coast or Bermuda in the coming week.

Beyond the immediate threat of injury and loss of life, hurricanes often disrupt access to healthcare, clean water, electricity, and essential medications. Power outages can compromise the storage of temperature-sensitive therapies, such as insulin, while flooding and infrastructure damage can limit the ability of clinics and hospitals to operate. For people with chronic conditions, these disruptions can quickly become life-threatening without timely medical support.

To support communities in need, Direct Relief developed the largest charitable, medically focused hurricane preparedness program in the world, pre-positioning hurricane preparedness modules at 70 health centers across the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf Coasts and Puerto Rico, along with 13 more in the Caribbean and Central America (including one ready in Florida for potential deployment to Haiti) and two in the South Pacific. Each module contains a full range of essential medical items—including chronic disease medications, inhalers, antibiotics, epinephrine, wound care supplies, and other emergency health products—designed to support 350 patients for a 30-day period in the event of infrastructure damage and power loss.

Established in 2006, the Hurricane Preparedness Program supports dozens of safety-net clinics with waterproof modules and strategically pre-positioned aid to enable rapid response immediately after a storm. By deploying aid from its Santa Barbara warehouse in coordination with local partners, Direct Relief ensures healthcare providers can quickly resume or continue operations following hurricane impacts.

With Erin now a hurricane and expected to intensify further, Direct Relief remains on heightened alert—tracking developments and ensuring the organization’s operational capacity, logistics, and partner networks are fully prepared to respond. Further updates will be provided as conditions evolve.

Direct Relief Awarded for Health Center Support

Last week, Direct Relief was recognized for its work supporting a Glendale, California-based health center.

Comprehensive Community Health Centers presented Direct Relief with the National Community Health Center Week Stakeholder Appreciation award during the health center’s community distribution event.

CCHC operates six community health centers, including a mobile clinic, in metropolitan Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley with locations in Glendale, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, North Hollywood, Sunland, and Arleta.

Direct Relief has supported the health center since 2008, and has provided the center with more than $219,000 in medical aid, including support for displaced people after the Los Angeles-area wildfires in January 2025. Direct Relief has also provided the health center with $162,500 in financial assistance to support ongoing work.

Ukrainian Groups Visit Direct Relief

This week, Direct Relief met with several groups focused on health services to Ukrainians.

On Thursday, Direct Relief hosted the Protez Foundation, a U.S.-registered nonprofit founded in 2022 to provide high-quality prosthetic care and rehabilitation for people who have lost limbs due to war, accidents, or medical conditions. Protez combines U.S.-based expertise with on-the-ground operations in Ukraine, delivering custom prosthetics, physical therapy, occupational rehabilitation, and mental health support. The organization has provided over 1,600 of prosthetic devices free of charge, serving close to 750 patients, and the Foundation has trained over 100 specialists, opening three clinics – one in the U.S. and two in Ukraine. Several children who had received prosthetics from the group also attended the visit.

Direct Relief has provided the Protez Foundation with nearly $5 million in funding enabling the fitting of hundreds of advanced prosthetic devices, the expansion of rehabilitation services in Ukraine, and the training of local specialists to ensure sustainable, high-quality care for amputees.

Also visiting alongside the Protez Foundation were members of the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco. Direct Relief has worked through the Consulate General to provide a $150,000 grant to the Ukrainian American House for expansions of its refugee mental health program to reach more Ukrainian refugees in Sacramento and Napa Counties. The program, launched in January 2024 with the Public Health Institute and California Department of Public Health’s Office of Refugee Health, provides culturally and linguistically competent counseling, peer support groups, and clinical referrals.

Earlier in the week, representatives from Unbroken National Rehabilitation Center in Lviv, Ukraine, also visited Direct Relief. Unbroken has provided services to more than 19,000 people since February 2022. Direct Relief has provided more than $4 million in financial support to Unbroken as well as more than $5.2 million in medical aid, including surgical supplies, essential medicines, diagnostic tools, and prosthetics.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief 549 shipments departed containing 582,732 doses of medication during the past week to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 6.5 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 47,737 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 18.4K shipments to 2,349 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 85 countries. These shipments included 169 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.3 billion wholesale, totaling 2.7 million lbs.

In the News

Amy Weaver Begins as New CEO of Direct Relief – Montecito Journal

Santa Barbara Airport Gives Passengers a Week of Perks During Special Appreciation Event – KEYT

Pentatonix Announces 2025 Holiday Tour – The Music Universe

The post Direct Relief Monitors Hurricane Erin, Medical Support Departs to 12 Countries appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week include rare disease therapies, diabetes management medications, pharmaceutical-grade refrigeration units, surgical supplies, field medic packs for first responders, and more.

Mobile Unit Hits the Road for Patients in Puerto Rico

A new mobile medical unit is now serving mountain communities in Puerto Rico, expanding the reach of a local health center.

Prymed Medical Care, a federally qualified health center serving patients in Ciales and Vega Baja, recently unveiled a new mobile unit that will facilitate screening services for blood pressure, glucose, and rapid HIV screening services, basic nutritional evaluation and guidance, counseling focused on disease prevention, and referrals.

The donation is part of the 67 mobile units and off-road vehicles that Direct Relief has donated to federally qualified health centers and nonprofit organizations in Puerto Rico.

“We are thankful to Direct Relief for making possible this mobile health unit that will impact the communities of Ciales and Vega Baja,” said Gladys Rivera Estela, Executive Director of Prymed.

“The mobile unit is an extension of our mission: to deliver quality healthcare where it’s most needed. We want to eliminate barriers and promote healthy lifestyles no matter where a person lives.”

Medical Aid Continues for Myanmar Earthquake Recovery

This week, an emergency shipment of supplies and medications departed Direct Relief’s Santa Barbara warehouse bound for Myanmar to support ongoing recovery from the destructive earthquake that struck the country in March.

This shipment is part of a wider Direct Relief emergency response effort following the Myanmar earthquake, which has also included emergency shipments to groups including the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management and Première Urgence Internationale.

Medications for Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Patient Care in Ukraine

Medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions reached Ukrainian medical facilities, including the Odessa Medical Center. The medications, provided by Direct Relief and distributed by NGO Ukrainian Soul, will support patients living with rheumatoid arthritis, spondylitis, and arthropathy, among other conditions.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 538 shipments containing 620,161 doses of medication during the past week to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 5.7 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 36,669 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 17.3K shipments to 2,272 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 83 countries. These shipments included 157.3 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.2 billion wholesale, totaling 2.5 million lbs.

In the News

Providing Consistent Care for Psychiatric Patients in Lebanon – Anera

Direct Relief CEO Amy Weaver Visits Breast Care International in Ghana – Modern Ghana

Kokofu Paramount Chief Praises Breast Care International’s Humanitarian Work – OTec 102.9

Direct Relief Applauds Breast Care International for Lifesaving Medical Support in Ghana – Ghana Webbers

The post Medical Aid for Myanmar, 18 Other Countries, Departs This Week appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week include rare disease therapies, diabetes management medications, pharmaceutical-grade refrigeration units, surgical supplies, field medic packs for first responders, and more.

From Response to Recovery, AltaMed Steps Up for Patients

Wildfire recovery is ongoing across communities in Los Angeles impacted by the Jan. 2025 blazes. Direct Relief supported local organizations providing patient care, including local health AltaMed, which quickly swung into action to provide medical care to evacuees inside the Pasadena Convention Center, as well as to patients in the community.

Direct Relief has provided emergency medical support as well as funding to support AltaMed’s continued mission in the community, including funding for key staff hires to meet the increased medical needs and also rebuild a facility that was destroyed in the Eaton Fire.

Bringing Critical Health Screenings to Florida Communities

Premier Mobile Health Services, based out of Fort Myers, operates two mobile units that serve patients throughout southwest Florida. The clinic sees patients regardless of insurance coverage or economic status. This week, the clinic hosted a series of mobile health outreach events, including critical health screenings such as vision services, diabetes and high blood pressure screenings, and more.

Direct Relief has provided $2.2 million in medical support to the organization to bolster their ongoing health services, as well as financial support after multiple hurricanes in the region.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 620 shipments containing 795,206 doses of medication during the past week to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 3.9 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 40,044 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 16.8K shipments to 2,256 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 83 countries. These shipments included 151.7 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.2 billion wholesale, totaling 2.5 million lbs.

In the News

Direct Relief and FedEx Respond to Texas Flooding With Critical Medical Aid – Yahoo! Finance

Accelerating Care of NCDs in Humanitarian Contexts – NCD Alliance

Medical Support Equips Communities Experiencing U.S. Floods, Earthquakes in Guatemala, and More – ReliefWeb

The post Supporting First Responder Community Health Centers, Mobile Health, and More appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included prenatal vitamins, hemophilia treatments, antibiotics, diabetes management medications, pharmaceutical-grade refrigeration units, surgical supplies, personal protective equipment, and more.

Texas Flood Response Continues

Direct Relief staff have been traveling through Kerr County and other flood-impacted parts of central Texas this week to support first responders and health facilities. Flooding earlier this month killed at least 135 people and more than 100 people remain unaccounted for as recovery efforts continue.

Direct Relief has been supporting search and rescue groups, including TEXSAR and Equusearch, with emergency operating grants as well as field medic packs to equip responders with first aid essentials for triage care. Direct Relief staff met with both groups this week to discuss supporting ongoing needs and also met with the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department, where Direct Relief delivered field medic packs that will be integrated into the fire department’s response vehicles.

Direct Relief staff also met with health organizations responding to flooded communities, including Fronteras Health Center, which has been providing mental health services to first responders. Direct Relief also met with La Esperanza Clinic in San Angelo, Texas, which has been providing mobile healthcare to the community.

Since July 4, Direct Relief has provided $2.6 million worth of medical aid across the state of Texas for ongoing health needs as well as emergency response. The organization will continue responding to recovery needs.

Community Health Fairs Reach Patients in Rural Puerto Rico

A community health fair in a mountainous area of Puerto Rico reached more than 70 patients with medical services last week.

On July 8, Direct Relief, in partnership with health center COSSAO, organized a community health fair in Utuado focused on expanding access to specialty care services. COSSAO, a nonprofit free clinic, has been delivering essential healthcare to underserved communities in Utuado, Ciales, and Jayuya for years.
Since 2017, Direct Relief has supported COSSAO through medication donations and cash grants, including funding for the expansion of its clinic infrastructure. This support has helped COSSAO grow its capacity to serve over 8,000 patients, offering services such as general medicine, pediatrics, and dentistry.

Volunteer physicians from RWJ Barnabas Health generously offered cardiology, pulmonology, and gynecology consultations free of charge. More than 120 services were provided to approximately 74 patients during the fair. Given the growing shortage of specialty care providers in Puerto Rico, events like this are vital for closing the gap in access—especially in remote and underserved regions like the central mountainous area.

As part of the fair, COSSAO’s team of health promoters identified homebound and bedridden individuals in the community. Dr. Pedro Juan “PJ” Vázquez, accompanied by a nurse and a psychology student, visited these patients in their homes. The team ensured both patients and their caregivers received personalized medical attention and emotional support.

In addition to these efforts, several partner organizations contributed to the fair. The Carlos Albizu University provided mental health services, while the Ponce Medical School Foundation coordinated for medical students to shadow the RWJ doctors, giving future physicians firsthand experience in community-based care delivery.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 549 shipments containing 1.1 million doses of medication during the past week to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 7.8 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 51,852 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 16.1K shipments to 2,235 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 81 countries. These shipments included 146.8 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.2 billion wholesale, totaling 2.4 million lbs.

In the News

Metallica’s All Within My Hands Donates $100k to Texas Flood Victims – The Music Universe

The “Volcano of Fire” Threatens Maya Communities in Guatemala. Again. – Angels in Medicine

PAHO Mobilized to Respond to the Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti – El Pais

Associations Join Forces to Bring Mobile Health Clinics to Vulnerable Areas – Cuspide Mexico

Direct Relief and COSSAO Hold Successful Health Fair in Utuado as Part of Hurricane Season Preparations – Sol Borincano

The post Responding to Texas Floods, Medical Needs in Rural Puerto Rico, and More appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included prenatal vitamins, antibiotics, diabetes management medications, pharmaceutical-grade refrigeration units, surgical supplies, personal protective equipment, and more.

U.S. Emergency Response Continues for Texas, New Mexico

Direct Relief continues to respond to devastating floods across the United States with medical support departing for storm-impacted communities. Floods in Texas and in New Mexico have both been active and ongoing response efforts for the organization.

In response to last week’s devastating and deadly flooding in central Texas, shipments have departed for the state throughout the week, including to Hill Country Mission for Health, which is serving flood-impacted patients in Kendall County, Texas. Direct Relief has also committed $50,000 to search and rescue efforts, and offered field medic packs to equip first responders working in flood-affected areas. Medical support also arrived this week in San Angelo, Texas, where La Esperanza Clinic will be using Direct Relief-donated support to reach flood-impacted residents of the Texas Hill Country.

Direct Relief has also responded to flash floods that swept through Ruidoso, New Mexico, on July 8, killing at least three people. Direct Relief shipped requested field medic packs for first responders as well as personal care items for displaced people. These are bound for the Mescalero Apache Tribe, whose reservation encompasses the affected area.

Medical Support Ongoing for Those Impacted by Guatemala Earthquakes

A 5.7-magnitude quake struck Guatemala this week, spawning hundreds of aftershocks, killing at least four people and prompting widespread evacuations.

Shipments of medical support are being prepared for multiple organizations providing healthcare services in Guatemala, including Fundacion Margarita Valiente and Asociacion Nuestros Ahijados. Those medical requests include N95 respirators and personal care items for people displaced by the earthquakes.

Direct Relief partner organization Fundacion Margarita Valiente, or FMV, has also been working to reach remote areas, and deployed an emergency response team equipped with Direct Relief-provided field medic packs, which contain first aid essentials for triage care. The organization is working in multiple villages in Sacatepequez, Escuintla, and Chimaltenango.

At least 239 people have been treated for injuries and also for mental health needs, the group reported. Additionally, Asociación Nuestros Ahijados staff have focused their efforts on delivering emergency supplies to support rescue workers responding to the devastation in the Santa María area.

FMV has also coordinated with emergency services to transfer people who have required hospital care, and health staff are working in at least six informal shelters. The organization has also been responding to medical needs in communities near the Fuego Volcano, which has been active recently.

Equipping Doctors Without Walls for Street Medicine

This week, volunteers with Doctors Without Walls/Santa Barbara Street Medicine conducted street medicine outreach for people experiencing homelessness. The group worked to conduct medical outreach in Santa Barbara, California, equipped with Direct Relief’s field medic packs, which contain medical essentials for wound care, diagnostics, and other first aid supplies.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 305 shipments containing 809,884 doses of medication during the past week to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 11.5 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 76,307 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 15.5K shipments to 2,196 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 81 countries. These shipments included 143.9 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.2 billion wholesale, totaling 2.3 million lbs.

In the News

Here’s Where You Can Donate to Help Central Texas Flood Recovery – CBS News

Direct Relief Sends Critical Supplies to Texas in Response to Deadly Flash Floods – KSBY

Direct Relief Sending Aid After Tragic Flooding in Central Texas – KEYT

The post Medical Support Equips Communities Experiencing U.S. Floods, Earthquakes in Guatemala, and More appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included cardiovascular medications, antibiotics, diabetes management medications, pharmaceutical-grade refrigeration units, surgical supplies, personal protective equipment, and more.

Insulin Arrives in Yemen

Insulin and other medical aid from Direct Relief recently arrived in Yemen to support health services in the country.

The temperature-controlled shipment was shipped in coordination with Yemen Aid, which supports Yemen’s health sector with the distribution of medical aid to more than 50 hospitals, mobile clinics, ambulance services, a breast cancer diagnosis center, and more.

Direct Relief has provided more than $14 million in medical support to health organizations in Yemen since 2009.

Cholera Treatment Supplies, Medication Depart for Angola

Cholera treatment medicines and supplies departed for Angola this week to support health providers working to fight cholera in the country.

Medical aid, including oral rehydration salts, antibiotics, water purification tablets, protective gear, and more, is en route to Hospital Materno Infantil Azancot de Menezes in Luanda, Angola. The 10-floor hospital is one of the main referral hospitals for maternal, neonatal and child health care in Angola.

Angola has been experiencing a severe outbreak of cholera, with over 20,000 cases and over 600 deaths reported in 2025. As Luanda is an outbreak hotspot, the hospital has been inundated with hundreds of pregnant mothers and children infected with cholera. Staff plan to use this shipment of Direct Relief medical aid to establish cholera treatment units. Hospital staff also intend to partner with Luanda’s general hospital to jointly address the cholera outbreak more broadly.

Dr. Faith Adole of U-Vol Foundation Visits Direct Relief

Dr. Faith Adole, Founder & President of the U-VOL Foundation, visited Direct Relief this week to lead a conversation on improving access to healthcare, supporting maternal health, and building stronger community-based health programs.

U-VOL is a nonprofit that provides free medical care, health education, and clean water and sanitation support to underserved communities in the U.S. and around the world. Under Dr. Adole’s leadership, the organization focuses on long-term, locally led solutions that prioritize compassion, dignity, and trust.

Direct Relief has supported U-VOL by providing medical supplies, including midwife kits to health providers in Nigeria working to lower maternal mortality in the country.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 987 shipments containing 1.6 million doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 6.9 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 86,999 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 15.2K shipments to 2,157 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 80 countries. These shipments included 132.6 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.1 billion wholesale, totaling 2.3 million lbs.

In the News

GoFundMe Is Refurbishing a Lesser-Known Financial Tool in a Bid to Supercharge Everyday Giving – Associated Press

Agencies Prep for Next Big Disaster as Santa Barbara Marks Earthquake Centennial – KEYT

Direct Relief Receives Global Honor from International Council of Nurses and Commits $100,000 to Support Nurses in Conflict Zones – International Council of Nurses

The post Insulin Arrives in Yemen, Cholera Treatments Depart for Angola, and More appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included chemotherapy treatments, antibiotics, diabetes management medications, surgical supplies, personal protective equipment, and more.

Medical Aid Continues for Myanmar Earthquake Response

In response to the devastating earthquakes that struck Myanmar earlier this year, Direct Relief continues to support the region with medical aid.

This week, a shipment of emergency medical supplies and medications departed Direct Relief’s Santa Barbara warehouse to support the ongoing earthquake recovery operations of Première Urgence Internationale, or PUI. The France-based international NGO has worked in Myanmar since 1984 to deliver services in primary healthcare, maternal and child health, HIV prevention, protection, and counseling, sexual and reproductive health and rights, nutrition, food security and water, sanitation, and hygiene.

When the 7.7-magnitude earthquake reverberated through the region in March 2025, collapsing thousands of buildings, including health centers, PUI sent a team from its Kayin base to the quake’s epicenter in Mandalay to conduct a rapid needs assessment and conduct recovery and emergency medical treatment. The organization continues to provide emergency medical response to people impacted by the quake.

This shipment is part of a wider Direct Relief emergency response effort following the Myanmar earthquake, which has included emergency shipments to Community Partners International and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management as the region continues to recover.

Direct Relief Visits Organizations Involved in Wildfire Recovery

This week, Direct Relief staff met with organizations in Los Angeles continuing to respond to communities impacted by wildfires. Direct Relief CEO Amy Weaver and COO and President Dr. Byron Scott visited AltaMed, a health center serving patients in the greater L.A. area. Staff visited the organization’s pediatrics and dental facilities to hear how the health center is continuing to respond to patients recovering from the January 2025 fires.

Staff also visited the Hope Now Community Resource Center, Pasadena Education Foundation, and the Foothill Family Ralph H. Moore Jr. Family Center.

GoFundMe CEO, Search and Rescue Volunteer Tim Cadogan Speaks at Direct Relief

This week, GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan visited the Direct Relief headquarters to speak with staff about community resilience and the vital role of volunteer-led organizations in disaster response. A longtime volunteer with the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue team in Altadena, California, Cadogan shared his firsthand experience responding to the January 2025 Eaton Fire, where he and his search and rescue colleagues were deployed during and immediately after the crisis.

Direct Relief supported the team’s efforts by providing essential protective gear and emergency cash grants to aid their operations. Direct Relief’s ongoing support of search and rescue organizations, including donations of medical supplies, equipment, and vehicles like the Ford F450 used in recovery efforts, reflects its deep commitment to empowering community-based responders.

Direct Relief also uses GoFundMe Pro software to power its fundraising, enabling the organization to mobilize support quickly and effectively when crises strike. In his remarks, Cadogan emphasized the still-pressing needs in fire-affected communities and the importance of continued investment in volunteer emergency services, many of which operate with limited resources and rely on public support to equip their teams.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 652 shipments containing 1.1 million doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 3.8 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 48,772 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 13.7K shipments to 2,086 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 78 countries. These shipments included 122.9 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.1 billion wholesale, totaling 2.1 million lbs.

The post Medical Aid Departs for Ongoing Earthquake Response in Myanmar, 18 Other Countries This Week appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included chemotherapy treatments, medications for autoimmune diseases, antibiotics, diabetes management medications, surgical supplies, personal protective equipment, and more.

Supporting Cancer Care in Uganda

This week, a shipment of requested medicines departed for Uganda to support the Uganda Cancer Institute, or UCI, a public facility focused on cancer care, research, and training in East Africa. UCI treats hundreds of patients daily and plays a central role in expanding cancer services across the country.

The Direct Relief shipment included cardiovascular medications, gastrointestinal drugs, autonomic therapies, and anti-infective agents. These resources will help strengthen clinical capacity and expand access to essential care for people facing cancer.

Medical Support Departs for the Dominican Republic

Direct Relief recently shipped a full-sized shipping container packed with 3M N95 respirators to Fundación Solidaria del Divino Niño Jesús, or FSDNJ, in the Dominican Republic. The shipment supports FSDNJ’s distribution of medical supplies to health facilities in the country’s northern region, home to more than 6 million people — many of whom face poverty and limited access to care.

Through its network of more than 100 health sites, including several clinics along the Haiti border, FSDNJ provides care for respiratory illnesses, malnutrition, diabetes, cancer, and more. The masks will help protect frontline workers, especially as the region prepares for hurricane season and a potential influx of patients.

Direct Relief has partnered with FSDNJ for 14 years and remains committed to supporting frontline providers across the Dominican Republic with the resources needed to deliver care

Diabetes Therapies Reach Southern Ukraine

Diabetes management medications recently arrived in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, to support medical care in southern Ukraine. A recent shipment of the therapies from Direct Relief was distributed by Charity Fund Yevgen Pyvovarov.

Since February 2022, Direct Relief has provided more than $1.8 billion in medical aid to Ukraine.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 380 shipments containing 819,531 doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 3.2 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 67,651 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 13K shipments to 2,055 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 78 countries. These shipments included 118.2 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1 billion wholesale, totaling 2.0 million lbs.

The post Medical Support En Route to the Dominican Republic, 16 Other Countries This Week appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included therapies for cancer treatment, rare disease management, antibiotics, diabetes management medications, personal protective equipment, and more.

Supporting Haiti Hospitals

Direct Relief recently dispatched a shipment of essential medical aid to support healthcare in Haiti. Hospital Albert Schweitzer operates a 200-bed hospital in the Artibonite Valley of central Haiti. The hospital is the only hospital for more than 600 square miles and serves a population of more than 350,000 people. The hospital offers vulnerable patients specialized care, including surgeries, high-risk obstetrics, and a dedicated neonatal ward for premature and sick infants.

HAS also sponsors water and sanitation projects, operates community clinics, and sends trained community health workers to remote mountainous areas with vaccines, malnutrition screening tools, and other basic health services.

Since 2010, Direct Relief has provided the hospital with more than $16.5 million in medical aid. Recent support to the hospital included antibiotics, respiratory medications, diabetes treatment therapies, oral rehydration salts, water purification tablets, wound care and surgical supplies, and more. The hospital continues serving patients despite civil unrest in the country. The organization’s leadership team visited Direct Relief in May 2025 to strategize around ongoing support for the group’s medical work in Haiti.

Medical Aid to Ukraine

Direct Relief-provided medical aid continues to reach health organizations in Ukraine administering care.

Recently, medical support was delivered throughout the Poltava region of Ukraine to Kozelshina and Kremenchuk, focusing on institutions that provide comprehensive medical care to their patients. Working with NGO Hospitable Hut in Ukraine, essential medicines and personal care products were distributed.

Direct Relief has provided more than $1.8 billion in medical support for Ukraine relief since February 2022.

Supporting Children in Turkey, Post-Earthquake

Children gather at INSEV’s Lemon Tree Mobile Mental Health and Psychosocial Services Unit for Children in Hatay, Turkey. Direct Relief has supported INSEV with financial assistance to further its mission of expanding services for children impacted by the 2023 earthquakes. Recently, volunteer instructor Gizem Yıldız from Atay Aknehir Ronya Art Cooperative held a drama workshop for children living in transitional housing, post-earthquake.

INSEV is an NGO based in Istanbul and has been working on initiatives to support access to healthcare in Hatay, an area affected by the earthquakes. The organization has been supporting children since the early days after the earthquakes in Hatay, including with mental health and psychosocial services for young people.

Direct Relief has provided more than $208 million in medical aid in response to the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake, as well as more than $10 million in financial support to organizations, including INSEV, focused on earthquake recovery.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 617 shipments containing 801,735 doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 1.8 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 84,539 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 12.6K shipments to 2,018 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 78 countries. These shipments included 114.5 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $979.1 million wholesale, totaling 2.0 million lbs.

In the News

How This Atty Used Her Law Degree To Go From CLO To CEO – Law 360

Direct Relief Orange Is the New Black: Amy Weaver Takes the Helm of Santa Barbara Nonprofit – Santa Barbara Independent

Amy Weaver Is Ready to Helm Direct Relief – Pacific Coast Business Times

Direct Relief Completes Medical Oxygen Projects in Libya and Colombia – Gasworld

School of Medicine Celebrates One-of-A-Kind Class – UC San Diego Today

The post Medicines for Haiti, 12 More Countries, Depart from Direct Relief appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included therapies for rare disease management, antibiotics, diabetes management medications, personal protective equipment, and more.

Supporting Health in Chad

This week, Direct Relief shipped a requested delivery of essential medicines and supplies to Chad’s Ministry of Public Health and Prevention. The shipment includes treatments for infections, chronic conditions, cancer, wound care items, protective gear, and other critical resources.

This delivery follows a series of shipments to Chad as the government manages the ongoing flow of Sudanese refugees over its eastern border, including a recent emergency delivery of 40 Midwife Kits — developed with and endorsed by the International Confederation of Midwives and each designed to support 50 safe births — to strengthen maternal care as the country continues to respond to growing health needs, including those driven by rising numbers of refugees.

Direct Relief, Liquid IV in Los Angeles as fire recovery continues

Staff from Direct Relief and Liquid IV met with partner organizations continuing to work towards recovery in the aftermath of Los Angeles-area wildfires recently.

The group met with Medical Mission Adventures, a mobile healthcare provider that offers free medical, dental, and optical services to communities in need. Medical Director Dr. Evelyn Wong and Physician Assistant Xochitl Flores, along with their volunteer team, have been serving Altadena residents affected by the wildfires.

Staff also toured the Central City Community Health Center residence that had previously housed special needs patients, all of whom were safely evacuated. Dr. Shareeq Shamsid-Deen met the team with CCCHC’s mobile clinic RV parked in front of the vacant lot. He discussed their crucial services following the Eaton wildfire.

“Every Pallet is a Lifeline”

Direct Relief CEO Amy Weaver was featured in a live broadcast on Santa Barbara’s KEYT evening news recently. Weaver reflected on her background and the path that brought her to Direct Relief, including more than a decade in leadership at Salesforce, where lessons learned are now being applied to maximize human impact.

Weaver also spoke about what it means to step into the role during a time of unprecedented humanitarian need, to show up, bring boldness and urgency, and do the work the world needs.

“Every Pallet Is a Lifeline”: Amy Weaver on Leading Direct Relief as CEO | News Channel 3-12

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 299 shipments containing 288,089 doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 6 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 48,787 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 12K shipments to 1,978 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 78 countries. These shipments included 112 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $961.3 million wholesale, totaling 1.9 million lbs.

The post Medical Aid Departs for Chad, 11 Other Countries Across Globe This Week appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included therapies for rare disease management, prenatal vitamins, cold storage units for temperature-sensitive medications, diabetes management medications, personal protective equipment, and more.

U.S. Storm Response Continues

A steady cadence of medical support continues to depart for communities slammed by violent tornadoes this week, including in Missouri, Kentucky, and other parts of the United States.

In response to requests, medical aid departed this week for multiple health centers in St. Louis, including the People’s Health Centers in St. Louis, Missouri. The clinic received field medic packs, including medical essentials for triage care, to support mobile medical outreach in storm-impacted areas.

Tdap vaccines for people at risk of tetanus exposure during storm cleanup, diabetes test strips, and a mix of over-the-counter and chronic disease management medications were also shipped to the center.

Additional requests from CareSTL and Affinia Healthcare, two other community health providers in Missouri serving heavily impacted areas, departed this week and included essential medicines and supplies, tetanus vaccines, chronic disease medications, antibiotics, EpiPens, diabetes supplies, N95 respirators, and gloves. On Wednesday, personal care items, including soap, shampoo, and dental hygiene products, were shipped to facilities in Missouri to support displaced people.

Direct Relief will continue to support the critical work of community health centers, free clinics, and other first responders.

Medical Support Bound for the DRC

In response to ongoing conflict in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Direct Relief shipped a new delivery of emergency medical supplies and essential medications this week to support Jericho Road’s Wellness Clinic at New Hope Center in Goma.

Cardiovascular medications, wound care supplies, and other critical items requested by the clinic are en route to support the health center’s operations. The delivery builds on previous support from Direct Relief, including a $50,000 grant for Mpox response efforts and a $25,000 emergency grant to help sustain care after Goma’s capture by the M23 militia.

Direct Relief has supported Jericho Road’s work in the region since 2016 and remains committed to strengthening access to care.

Wildlife Resilience Gathering Held at Direct Relief

This week, Direct Relief hosted a convening of the Wildfire Resilience Funders Network at Direct Relief headquarters in Santa Barbara, California. The event included a panel titled “Funding Resilience in Recovery” that featured experts in the space, including Direct Relief’s Associate Director of U.S. Emergency Response Annie Vu.

The gathering brought together community leaders and supporters to discuss resilience and recovery strategies in response to wildfires in the U.S.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 567 shipments containing 703,966 doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 868,825 defined daily doses of medication, totaling 19,444 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 11.6K shipments to 1,931 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 78 countries. These shipments included 105.7 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $940.4 million wholesale, totaling 1.8 million lbs.

The post Medical Aid Reaches Tornado-Impacted Communities in U.S. appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included therapies for rare disease management, cancer therapies, diabetes management medications, personal protective equipment, and more.

Direct Relief CEO Visits Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics

Direct Relief CEO Amy Weaver visited the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics this week, where she toured the Eastside Neighborhood Clinic and met with staff, including the Neighborhood Clinic’s CEO, Dr. Mahdi Ashrafian. Weaver and Direct Relief staff also delivered requested items, including dental products that will be distributed to patients at the dental clinic.

The Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics is a multi-site community health center providing care to 1 in 10 people in the community and has been serving the Santa Barbara area for over 52 years. Over 22,000 patients are cared for at four medical clinics, two dental clinics, a bridge clinic for substance use disorders, and health promotion services with wellness navigators.

Direct Relief has provided over $1 million worth of medical aid to the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics since 2014 and more than $470,000 in financial assistance.

Medical Aid Continues to Arrive in Myanmar, Post-Earthquake

As part of Direct Relief’s ongoing response to the destructive earthquake that impacted Myanmar in March, an emergency shipment recently reached Community Partners International, or CPI, a Direct Relief partner providing critical aid to communities on the ground.

The shipment included antibiotics, diabetes medications, diagnostic supplies, hygiene items, oral rehydration salts, and field medic packs to equip CPI’s mobile medical teams operating in some of the hardest-hit areas.

This delivery follows a $50,000 emergency support grant to CPI for local search and rescue efforts and mobile health programming in the earthquake’s aftermath.

Responding to the Fuego Volcano in Guatemala

On March 10, 2025, Volcán del Fuego—one of Central America’s most active volcanoes—erupted just 33 miles from Guatemala City, affecting over 30,000 people and displacing more than 900 families. The eruption caused widespread health issues, including burns, respiratory complications, infections, and malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable Indigenous communities.

In response, Direct Relief partnered with Fundación Margarita Valiente, or FMV, a Guatemalan nonprofit focused on supporting Indigenous communities, to provide field medic packs, essential medicines, N95 masks, and other critical supplies. The packs were rapidly deployed to medical teams treating patients in shelters, homes, and mobile pop-up clinics, enabling them to reach individuals in hard-to-access areas, including those unable or unwilling to evacuate.

Using Direct Relief’s donated supplies, FMV organized six health fairs at the two main shelters to address urgent needs. This support helped extend care to those most affected and further expanded access in communities with limited or no access to traditional health services.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 746 shipments containing 2 million doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 1.9 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 57,469 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 11.1K shipments to 1,902 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 78 countries. These shipments included 104.1 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $921.1 million wholesale, totaling 1.8 million lbs.

The post Treating Patients Impacted by Guatemala’s Fuego Volcano, Responding to Myanmar Earthquake, and More appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included therapies for rare disease management, prenatal vitamins, surgical supplies, diabetes management medications, personal protective equipment, and more.

Direct Relief Welcomes CEO Amy Weaver

This week, Amy Weaver officially began as Chief Executive Officer of Direct Relief, bringing a record of executive leadership and a deep humanitarian commitment to the organization as it scales its operations to aid people affected by poverty, disaster, and conflict worldwide.

Weaver joins Direct Relief from Salesforce, where she served since 2020 as President and Chief Financial Officer. Over her nearly 12-year tenure at the Fortune 500 company, she also led the global legal and corporate affairs team as Chief Legal Officer and oversaw a wide range of functions, including Global Communications, Real Estate and Workplace Services, Corporate Development, Accessibility, Government Affairs, Audit, and Ethics & Compliance. She has also served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity International and McDonald’s and previously held executive and legal positions at Univar Solutions and Expedia Group.

Weaver succeeds Thomas Tighe, who served as CEO of Direct Relief for 24 years and led the organization’s expansion into the fifth-largest charity in the United States and one of the largest providers of charitable medications globally.

Weaver’s appointment also comes just days after Direct Relief was named the 2025 Seoul Peace Prize laureate—a global honor recognizing individuals and organizations that advance peace and human welfare.

Read more.

Direct Relief Strengthens Response in the Pacific

The Pacific Community, or SPC, and Direct Relief signed a memorandum of understanding that will facilitate collaboration and coordination in strengthening health systems and emergency preparedness by improving disaster management, information sharing, and capacity building.

The MOU was signed during the Pacific Heads of Health Meeting last month and aims to boost the support provided to Pacific Island countries and territories, or PICTs, during disaster-related emergencies. SPC includes Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia.

Direct Relief has worked in the Pacific to support ongoing health efforts and emergency responses to Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu in 2015, Cyclone Winston in Fiji in 2016, the volcanic eruption in Vanuatu in 2017, it supported medical teams during the 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa, it supported partners across the region during the Covid pandemic between 2020-2022, and most recently offered emergency support to Vanuatu after the 2024 earthquake in Port Vila.

Read more.

Field Medic Packs Strengthen Preparedness in Turkey

Direct Relief-donated Field Medic Packs to equip first responders with medical essentials for triage care arrived in Turkey this week.

Direct Relief partner organization, Needs Map, delivered the backpacks to AFAD, Turkey’s national disaster response agency. Needs Map met with AFAD officials in Adana and Cankkale as part of emergency preparedness for the country’s summer season, which brings heat and potential wildfires. The country is also earthquake-prone, with a 6.2-magnitude earthquake rattling Istanbul last month.

Direct Relief responded to the devastating 2023 earthquakes in Southern Turkey and Northern Syria, mobilizing more than $200 million in medical aid, dispatching over 800 tons of supplies, and more than $10 million in financial assistance to frontline healthcare providers.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 478 shipments containing 2 million doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 5.6 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 63,457 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 10.3K shipments to 1,867 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 78 countries. These shipments included 100.2 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $899.1 million wholesale, totaling 1.7 million lbs.

In the News

Amy Weaver Officially Steps into CEO Role at Direct Relief – Pacific Coast Business Times

Grammy Awards Donations Distributed to Those Affected by Wildfires – Pasadena Now

Amid Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Group Finds a Way to Provide Care, Keep Insulin Flowing – Angels in Medicine

Grammy Viewers Donated Nearly $10 Million to L.A. Wildfire Relief Efforts: Here’s Where It Went – Billboard

Direct Relief Accepts 2025 Seoul Peace Prize for Global Humanitarian Impact – AccessNewswire

The post Medical Support Departs for Haiti, 12 Other Countries This Week from Direct Relief appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included therapies for rare disease management, surgical supplies, diabetes management medications, personal protective equipment, and more.

Direct Relief Accepts Seoul Peace Prize

Direct Relief this week formally accepted the 2025 Seoul Peace Prize, one of the world’s most distinguished honors for humanitarian achievement, in recognition of the organization’s unwavering commitment to aiding people affected by poverty, disasters, and conflict.

“Peace is not just about the absence of conflict, but the presence of dignity, opportunity, and hope for all people,” said Dr. Byron Scott, Chief Executive Officer of Direct Relief, at the award ceremony Monday in Seoul. “This is what Direct Relief strives to create through our work—by ensuring everyone, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay, has access to the healthcare they need to live full and healthy lives.”

Established in 1990 to commemorate the Seoul Olympic Games, the Seoul Peace Prize recognizes individuals and organizations making significant global contributions to peace, development, and human welfare. Direct Relief, the 17th laureate, joins distinguished previous awardees such as Kofi Annan, Václav Havel, Ban Ki Moon, and Doctors Without Borders.

Read more.

Midwife Kits Arrive in Chad

Direct Relief-donated Midwife Kits recently arrived in Chad to support the country’s health system.

Forty Midwife Kits, which contain medical essentials for safe births, arrived to support Chad’s Ministry of Health. The shipment also included other requested medical support, including insulin. The kits have been deployed to 35 countries to support health providers and were designed in collaboration with and endorsed by the International Confederation of Midwives.

Oxygen Concentrators Support Health System in St. Lucia

A critical donation of medical equipment, including oxygen concentrators, will support health services in the Caribbean country of St. Lucia, thanks to a donation from Direct Relief.

Direct Relief made a $3 million commitment to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, or OECS, to enhance the health infrastructure and resilience within its member states. The Caribbean is vulnerable to natural disasters region, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanoes, among others.

St. Lucia’s Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs announced a donation of vital medical equipment under this initiative, which addresses critical gaps in the country’s health infrastructure, especially as Saint Lucia and the wider region continue to recover from disasters such as Hurricane Beryl in 2024 and the lingering impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the organization said in a statement

The newly donated equipment includes oxygen concentrators, which are often used to assist oxygen levels in people living with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

“This donation today highlights our commitment to ensuring that we have the necessary equipment and facilities in place to support continued treatment, even during disruptions caused by pandemics or natural disasters. Our priority is to preserve life and minimize the risk of premature death, aligning squarely with the ministry’s mandate,” said Jenny Daniel, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs.

Ashes to Anthems Benefit Concert and Panel Held

Associate Director of U.S. Emergency Response Annie Vu represented Direct Relief on the “Philanthropy in Recovery: Equity, Agency & Rebuilding” panel at the Ashes to Anthems Benefit Concert in Pasadena.

Leaders from Direct Relief, the California Black Freedom Fund, BeyGOOD Foundation, Special Needs Network, Inc., Pasadena Community Foundation, Shared Harvest Foundation, and NAACP gathered for a vital conversation about advancing justice, equity, and resilience in disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 632 shipments containing 2.6 million doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 1.4 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 39,711 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 9,774 shipments to 1,835 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 77 countries. These shipments included 92.6 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $753.7 million wholesale, totaling 1.6 million lbs.

In the News

Medical relief organization ‘Direct Relief’ wins Seoul Peace Prize – Donga.com

Non-profit medical relief organization ‘Direct Relief’ wins Seoul Peace Prize – Yonhap News TV

Direct Relief launches $2.7 million healthcare initiative – Philanthropy News Digest

SPC and Direct Relief: A coordinated approach to Pacific Health – ReliefWeb

The post Direct Relief Accepts Seoul Peace Prize, Medical Support Departs for 19 Countries, and More appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included medications for rare disease management, surgical supplies, diabetes management medications, personal protective equipment, and more.

Perinatal Kits Reach Bangladesh

Medications and supplies to treat conditions that put mothers and babies most at risk in the weeks before or after labor and delivery arrived at a critical hospital in Bangladesh this week.

Hope Foundation Hospital for Women and Children of Bangladesh received 20 Perinatal Health Kits from Direct Relief. The kits contain medications and supplies to treat conditions that can occur with life-threatening impacts on women and newborns, including preeclampsia/eclampsia, prevention of premature birth, infection, and respiratory distress. The kits contain enough medications and supplies to treat 1,000 cases of each indication.

Hope Hospital, which provides critical patient care, including labor and delivery services, to the surrounding community as well as women needing care from the nearby Rohingya refugee settlement in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

The hospital is one of five pilot sites for the Perinatal Health Kits, which were designed in collaboration with and endorsed by the International Confederation of Midwives. The kits have also been sent to health providers in Somaliland, Uganda, and Malawi, with an additional shipment in process to Tanzania.

Based on feedback from providers, Direct Relief will continue to refine the kits and the items included.

The Perinatal Health Kits complement Direct Relief’s Midwife Kit, which was also developed with and endorsed by ICM. The Midwife Kits contain medical essentials needed for safe births and have been deployed to 35 countries to support health providers.

Lights On in West AfricaN Hospital

In rural Liberia where power isn’t a given and hospital staff have had to treat patients by the light of only a cell phone during an outage, the lights are now on.

The FJ Grante Hospital, located in Greenville, Liberia, is now online with electrification and lighting, allowing the facility to harness the power of the sun and be energy resilient. The facility, which provides emergency surgeries and treatment to the southeast region of the country, depended on diesel generators formerly to power lights and equipment. The area lacks an electrical grid, and the cost and availability of diesel limited power access, with life-impacting consequences.

The solar installation at the hospital is part of the larger Africa Infrastructure Relief and Support, or AIRS, project — a Society of Critical Care Medicine Collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Global Alliance of Perioperative Professionals and the Institute of Global Perioperative Care.

Through AIRS, Direct Relief is funding reliable power and medical oxygen projects in Sierra Leone, the Gambia, and Liberia, with a $5.5 million grant. A solar installation and battery backup at the hospital are creating resilient power for medical operations there, and a medical oxygen plant at the site is expected to come online shortly.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 387 shipments containing 2.1 million doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 2.2 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 54,434 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 9,119 shipments to 1,782 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 74 countries. These shipments included 89.6 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $743.3 million wholesale, totaling 1.5 million lbs.

The post Supporting Moms and Babies in Bangladesh During the Weeks Before and After Birth appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included medications for breast cancer treatment, surgical supplies, antibiotics, diabetes management medications, refrigerators and cold storage for temperature-sensitive medications, personal protective equipment, cancer treatment therapies, and more.

Essential Surgical Supplies Arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo

A critical shipment of surgical supplies to support birth injury repair arrived at a hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo this week.

Eight fistula repair modules, donated by Direct Relief, arrived in Goma, DRC, this week, and contain enough surgical supplies and medical consumables for 400 fistula repair surgeries. Fistula can occur during or after childbirth if labor is obstructed, damaging tissue and causing long-term impacts for women.

The shipment went to support the work of HEAL Africa, which operates a 197-bed tertiary referral hospital, one of only three referral hospitals in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The facility provides general surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology (including fistula repair), pediatrics, and internal medicine. It also serves as a center for healthcare and research, and for training doctors and healthcare professionals.

The hospital has been serving an influx of patients seeking care due to displacement and conflict in the region. Direct Relief has been supporting several healthcare organizations in the region with medical aid transported by roadway since the Goma International Airport remains closed due to the conflict.

Response to Deadly Myanmar Earthquake Continues

Support continues for areas impacted in Southeast Asia by the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that reverberated through the region, with particularly devastating impacts in Myanmar. More than 200,000 people were displaced as a result, and the AHA Center has reported 3,700 confirmed fatalities from the earthquake, and more than 4,800 injuries.

In response, Direct Relief issued a $50,000 emergency support grant to Community Partners International, or CPI, for search and rescue and mobile health programming in the earthquake’s aftermath. Direct Relief is also preparing a medical aid shipment of requested emergency medicines, including antibiotics, diabetes medications, and diagnostic supplies, hygiene items, and field medic packs filled with triage essentials for CPI’s medical work in Myanmar.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 465 shipments containing 2.3 million doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 2 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 25,034 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 8,703 shipments to 1,755 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 71 countries. These shipments included 85.3 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $684.6 million wholesale, totaling 1.4 million lbs.

The post Supporting Women’s Health with Life-Changing Surgeries, Continued Myanmar Earthquake Response, and More appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included medications for rare diseases, midwifery kits filled with medical essentials for safe births, diabetes management medications, refrigerators and cold storage for temperature-sensitive medications, personal protective equipment, cancer treatment therapies, and more.

Supporting Rapid Response to Cholera in South Sudan

Direct Relief provided medical aid has supported the cholera treatment response in South Sudan, allowing health workers to provide prevention and treatment for the disease which can quickly become deadly. An outbreak was declared by South Sudan’s Ministry of Health last October, and Direct Relief shipped a cholera treatment kit, which includes personal protective equipment, oral rehydration salts, and more. The shipment was received by the International Office of Migration South Sudan, which deployed the supplies to the hardest-hit areas,

Equipped with Direct Relief-supplied field medic packs and cholera response materials. With these supplies, they established a cholera treatment center at Mayom Hospital, where they successfully treated and discharged 565 patients. Mobile oral rehydration points were set up to provide cholera treatment to communities in remote and hard-to-reach areas. The IOM rapid response team also rehabilitated a community water source, and constructed new sanitation facilities, restoring clean water access and significantly reducing the threat of cholera transmission for thousands of people.

As a result of rapid response efforts, IOM reported cholera hospitalizations in Mayom County dropped from an average of 50 cases per day to an average of one per day.

As cholera outbreaks persist worldwide, Direct Relief continues to send life-saving materials to help curb the spread and mortality of the disease. A new shipment of cholera treatment kits and other emergency medical supplies to IOM South Sudan is currently in process, and additional cholera response shipments are underway for Sudan and Haiti.

Medical Aid Departs for the Democratic Republic of Congo

In response to the ongoing violence in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, Direct Relief has shipped a range of emergency medical supplies and essential medications to support Jericho Road’s Wellness Clinic at New Hope Center. This emergency shipment follows a $25,000 emergency grant to help sustain care after Goma’s capture by the M23 rebel group. The grant has been used to procure essential medications locally.

As the fighting intensified, Goma’s airport was closed indefinitely, and with uncertain road safety conditions, the staff at Jericho Road utilized Direct Relief’s emergency grant to procure essential medications locally.

As the airport has yet to reopen, this shipment will be flown to a nearby airport before being trucked to Goma, where clinic staff have continued providing essential services without interruption throughout the violence in Goma. Many staff members even opted to live temporarily within the clinic compound to avoid leaving their patients without services.

Direct Relief has supported the Jericho Road clinic in Goma since 2016, including a recent Mpox prevention program implemented by Jericho Road. The program provided critical education, outreach, and prevention support to large encampments of internally displaced people near Goma. Direct Relief remains committed to supporting health workers providing lifesaving care amid ongoing conflict and displacement.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 454 shipments containing 704,569 doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 1.8 million defined daily doses of medication totaling 38,872 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 8,116 shipments to 1,649 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 71 countries. These shipments included 78.7 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $591.1 million wholesale, totaling 1.3 million lbs.

The post From Cholera Treatments to Cancer Therapies, Medical Aid Departs for 20 Countries appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included cancer treatment therapies, diabetes management medications, refrigerators and cold storage for temperature-sensitive medications, personal protective equipment, rare disease therapies, and more.

This week, Direct Relief provided financial support for multiple emergencies, including the wildfires in South Korea and the earthquake in Southeast Asia.

Supporting Medical Services in Peru

Direct Relief-donated medical aid recently supported medical services in coastal Peru during a two-day medical clinic. Vida Peru, a nonprofit focused on health support in the country, held a medical campaign in Paracas, Peru.

The clinic was held inside a local school and offered patients services in pediatrics, dentistry, optometry, psychology, ultrasound services, gynecology, dermatology, general medicine, and pharmacy access. The clinic treated numerous patients in a community with limited resources.

Direct Relief has provided Vida Peru with $95 million in medical aid since 2011.

Expanding Mental Health Services in Puerto Rico

A new mobile unit will help expand mental health services in Puerto Rico communities and train mental health providers.

Direct Relief staff and local leaders gathered last week to inaugurate a new mobile unit at Carlos Albizu University. The institution provides education focused on psychology and speech and language therapy, including doctoral degrees in clinical psychology and master’s degrees in speech-language pathology.

The university also has community clinics in San Juan, Comerío, and Caguas, where they provide mental health services at low cost for patients while also serving as a training facility for doctoral students enrolled in the PhD and PsyD programs. The mobile unit will strengthen these existing services by mobilizing mental health professionals and providing upcoming professionals with hands-on experience in a community setting.

Services will include speech and language therapy, psychological evaluations, therapeutic interventions, and emotional support to promote the well-being of individuals who face crises, and psychosocial challenges. The mobile unit will also be a resource during emergencies to facilitate the delivery of mental health services in affected areas.

During Hurricane María, the 2020 earthquakes in the southern region, and Hurricane Fiona, the students from Carlos Albizu University responded to provide psychological services to affected communities, and will be equipped to respond to future emergencies with the mobile unit.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 457 shipments containing 1.2 million doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 1.5 million defined daily doses of medication totaling 51,807 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 7,799 shipments to 1,626 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 70 countries. These shipments included 76.4 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $575.1 million wholesale, totaling 1.3 million lbs.

In the News

Direct Relief Appoints Amy Weaver as Next CEO – The Software Report

Direct Relief joins Emergency Response Efforts to Provide Aid to Myanmar – KEYT

Inauguran la Primera Unidad Móvil de la Clínica de la Albizu para Ofrecer Servicios de Salud Mental – El Nuevo Dia

Universidad Albizu Inaugura Unidad Móvil – Primera Hora

The post Medical Services Reach Patients in Peru, Plus Medications Shipped to 15 Countries This Week appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included diabetes management medications, power generators, surgical supplies, rare disease therapies, and more.

Training, Equipping Health Workers for Safe Births in Nigeria

Health providers in Nigeria recently received advanced training on maternal and neonatal care, as well as supplies to facilitate safe births. Nineteen health professionals at St. Charles Hospital and Maternity Ward in Adoka, Nigeria, completed a training conducted by the U-VOL Foundation, which supports the ongoing education of healthcare workers, particularly in rural settings.

Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, according to the World Health Organization. The recent training included hands-on sessions focused on advanced maternal and neonatal care. From neonatal resuscitation to managing obstetric emergencies and introducing necessary supplies to ensure safe deliveries, the event strengthened the skills of midwives, nurses, community health workers, and doctors to improve birth outcomes and save lives.

Direct Relief supported the training by donating midwife kits, each containing items to support up to 50 facility-based births. This shipment will equip local providers with the essential tools needed for safe and high-quality maternal care.

Critical Cancer Therapies Arrive in Yemen

Cancer therapies and other medical support arrived in Yemen recently to support health services in the country. Direct Relief coordinated the shipment with YemenAid, a nonprofit focused on supporting Yemen’s health sector across the country, which includes medical aid distribution to local health facilities, operation of a breast cancer diagnosis center, ambulance services program, and more. The shipment included medications for the treatment of breast cancer.

Direct Relief has supported Yemen Aid with $3.9 million worth of medical support since 2021.

Insulin Reaches Free Clinic in Arkansas

One of many shipments departing for U.S. health organizations this week included temperature-sensitive diabetes management medications bound for a free clinic in Little Rock, Arkansas, providing basic medical care for uninsured people.

Harmony Health Clinic provides access to quality medical care at no cost to patients living in Central Arkansas in a private, community-based clinic, staffed by volunteer professionals. This week, a shipment of insulin and other diabetes therapies departed for the clinic to support health services. The clinic received medications through Direct Relief’s ReplenishRx program, which provides free medicine for people lacking health insurance and with household income at or below 300% of the Federal poverty line.

The program helps clinics and charitable pharmacies provide a steady supply of vital medicine to patients lacking insurance, without the need to apply to individual Patient Assistance Programs, or PAPs, offered by pharmaceutical companies.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 658 shipments containing 2.5 million doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 1 million defined daily doses of medication totaling 41,560 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 6,555 shipments to 1,508 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 68 countries. These shipments included 67.9 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $414.1 million wholesale, totaling 1 million lbs.

In the News

Santa Barbara’s Direct Relief Expands Foreign Aid as White House Pulls the Plug – Santa Barbara Independent

Lifesaving Medical Training Becomes Available to Once-Isolated Areas of Syria – Relief Web

County Search/Rescue Teams Work on Reaccreditation – Noozhawk

The post Supporting Safe Births in Nigeria, Plus Medical Aid Departs to 12 Countries appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included diabetes management medications, prenatal vitamins, rare disease therapies, and more.

Pfizer Foundation Video Features Delta Health Center

Direct Relief partnered with the Pfizer Foundation and Delta Health Center on a USA Today feature video and story that showcases the collaborative work in building healthier communities in the Mississippi Delta region.

Delta Health Center, located in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, is the first rural community health center in the United States. The center, established in 1965, aimed to improve the health of people who were impacted by severe poverty, environmental conditions, and lack of economic resources.

The health center to continues to fill key gaps in the community today, including for people who would have no other access to health care.

Read more here.

Direct Relief Featured at Academy Awards

Direct Relief was featured during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 97th Academy Awards, which supported Direct Relief’s Los Angeles wildfire relief response. The ceremony, which was telecast on Sunday, March 2, urged viewers, attendees, and industry partners to support multiple organizations providing aid to those impacted by the fires, including Direct Relief.

“This time of year, a lucky few get to publicly thank the Academy. Fewer still get to do it on behalf of millions. Direct Relief is honored to thank the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for its support, which will help strengthen communities and aid wildfire-affected families,” said Dr. Byron Scott, CEO of Direct Relief.

Direct Relief continues to actively respond to the devastating fires by mobilizing critical medical aid, and providing financial assistance to community health centers serving displaced families and those in need of urgent medical care.

Field Medic Packs Equip First Responders in El Salvador

Field medic packs, filled with emergency essentials for triage care, recently arrived in El Salvador, where they will equip first responders and enhance emergency preparedness.

Last month, in coordination with NGO FUSAL and the Salvadoran American Humanitarian Foundation, Direct Relief provided 37 packs to first responders from the Salvadoran Red Cross, the Salvadoran Volunteer Stretcher Bearer Corps, the Rescue Command, and the Salvadoran Green Cross.

Earlier this year, a series of earthquakes rattled the country, the strongest of which measured a 6.2-magnitude temblor, but minimal damage was reported. The packs will ensure first responders are ready during future emergency responses.

Since 2008, Direct Relief has provided more than $219 million in medical aid to El Salvador.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 340 shipments containing 1.2 million doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 6.3 million defined daily doses of medication totaling 41,560 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 5,961 shipments to 1,475 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 65 countries. These shipments included 69.3 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $414.1 million wholesale, totaling 1 million lbs.

News

Amgen and Amgen Foundation Donation Dollars on the Ground with Direct Relief in Wake of Southern California Fires – Amgen.com

NAU’s American Indian Nursing Program Expands With Direct Relief Grant to Tackle Critical Shortages in Native Communities – Native News Online

Direct Relief Is Prepared for a Busier 2025 – Pacific Coast Business Times

Cataract Surgery Brings Joy to Three Sisters – The Fiji Times

CIM Employees Convert Los Angeles-Area Soundstage into Fire-Victim Aid Station – CoStar

NAU’s American Indian Nursing Program Expands With Direct Relief Grant to Tackle Critical Shortages in Native Communities – Red Lake Nation News

The post Medical Aid Departs for 44 U.S. States and Territories, Plus Supporting Health in Mississippi’s Delta Region appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included surgical supplies, pharmaceutical-grade refrigeration units for temperature-sensitive medications, antibiotics, prenatal vitamins, rare disease therapies, insulin, and more.

Health Fair in Puerto Rico Connects Women to Health Services

More than 100 people attended a health fair over the weekend in Puerto Rico, an event that not only provided essential health screenings but provided mentorship and training for medical residents.

As part of Direct Relief’s continuous needs assessments across communities on the island, staff identified several gaps in healthcare, including limited access to women’s health screenings, specialty medical services, and more. In conversation with NeoMed, a federally qualified health center serving the eastern region of the island, they identified over 1,000 women who had lapsed cervical cancer screening.

Direct Relief had been in communication with physicians from RWJ Barnabas Health System in New Jersey, who had expressed interest in coming to Puerto Rico to support community outreach efforts. To address this gap on routine checkups, RWJ made their OB-GYN physicians available to support a community health fair focused women’s health.

The team flew to Puerto Rico to participate in the community health fair held on February 22. Included in the team were Dr. Ernani Sadural, OBGYN, Dr. Daniel Sansobrino, OBGYN, Dr. Mike Drews, a reproductive endocrinologist, Belkis Ramírez, RN, and Margie Heller, Vice President of Community Health and Strategic Global Partnerships.

During the health fair, they met with second- and third-year residents from the University of Puerto Rico to share training on women’s health screenings, discuss best practices, and provide guidance and mentorship.

The health fair also included mammograms for breast cancer screening, vaccinations, primary health care, blood pressure and glucose measurements, and health education. Additionally, Direct Relief’s Medical Advisor, Dr. PJ Vázquez, visited home-bound patients.

Over 125 people attended the health fair, 57 women received cervical cancer screening, and 48 mammograms were scheduled for the upcoming weeks, and 13 home visits were conducted between Saturday and Monday.

Medical Aid Shipped in Response to Winter Storms

Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and surrounding areas of southern Appalachia are facing widespread devastation after torrential rain and an arctic blast swept through the region, leaving at least 22 people dead and thousands displaced. Beginning on February 14th, record-breaking rainfall triggered severe flooding, submerging entire communities and forcing emergency responders to conduct over 1,000 water rescues.

The situation worsened when an arctic blast followed the storms, trapping residents in freezing conditions without power. Many highways remain closed due to flooding, mudslides, and rockslides, making it difficult for people to access essential supplies, emergency services, and medical care.

In response, Direct Relief has provided emergency medical support to health centers, clinics, and other partner organizations in the affected areas. This week, tetanus vaccines, personal care products, and nutritional supplements were shipped to Big Sandy Health Care in Kentucky and St. Mary’s Health Wagon in Virginia to help meet urgent healthcare needs.

Resilient Power Panel Convenes at Direct Relief

Resilient power and its critical impacts on healthcare were the topics of an expert panel that convened at Direct Relief headquarters this week.

The discussion explored the essential role of power, energy, and light in fortifying healthcare resilience and featured leadership from four Santa Barbara-based nonprofits – Direct Relief, Doctors Without Walls – Santa Barbara Street Medicine, Planned Parenthood California Central Coast, and Unite to Light – all of which utilize reliable energy to power their respective missions. The panel, titled “Resilient Power for Healthcare: Illuminating the Energy-Health Connection,” was moderated by Santa Barbara County Second District Supervisor Laura Capps.

Panelists included Sara Rossi, Direct Relief’s Managing Director of the Health Resiliency Fund, Maggie Sanchez, Executive Director, Doctors Without Walls – Santa Barbara Street Medicine, Dr. Jenna Tosh, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood California Central Coast, and Megan Birney Rudert, President & CEO, Unite to Light.

Direct Relief’s Power for Health Initiative has 22 completed resilient power projects at health centers and clinics across the U.S., and has more in various stages of design and construction.

“This really is complimentary to the other work that Direct Relief does 365 days a year with our community health center partners and free and charitable clinics to protect health, to protect refrigerated medicines, to enable their doors to stay open, and not have to lose any of that during more frequent power outages,” Rossi said.

Read more about Direct Relief’s Power for Health Initiative.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 488 shipments containing 1.7 million doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 8.1 million defined daily doses of medication totaling 67,103 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 5,179 shipments to 1,402 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 61 countries. These shipments included 57.6 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $306.2 million wholesale, totaling 800,996 lbs.

The post Medications Depart for 19 Countries, Health Fair Reaches Patients in Puerto Rico appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included antibiotics, prenatal vitamins, rare disease therapies, cancer treatments, insect repellant, insulin, and more.

Medications Dispersed Throughout Northeastern Ukraine

Hospitals, primary care clinics, and pharmacies in northeastern Ukraine received an infusion of medical support this week. Direct Relief-donated medical treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and other illnesses were delivered to multiple facilities the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. The deliveries and distribution of the medications were conducted by Charity Fund Pyvovarov, which has supported humanitarian aid delivery to health facilities in the region.

Since Feb. 2022, Direct Relief has provided more than $1.5 billion worth of medical support to health facilities, clinics, and community organizations focused on health. More than $28 million in financial support has been provided to support health and patient care in Ukraine and beyond.

Medical Backpacks Reach First Responders in St. Lucia

This week, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, or OECS, announced that Direct Relief-donated field medic packs had been distributed to multiple organizations in St. Lucia to strengthen emergency preparedness.

St. Lucia, an island nation located in the eastern Caribbean, is one of 11 members of OECS. Direct Relief has partnered with OECS since 2019 to swiftly deploy medical aid to the region during hurricanes and other natural disasters and emergencies.

Field medic packs from Direct Relief reached the Red Cross of Saint Lucia and the Saint Lucia Athletic Association via OECS this week. Other organizations also received field medic packs, including the country’s fire service, police force, Ministry of Health, facilities housing older adults, and secondary schools across eight districts.

“This initiative highlights the OECS Commission’s commitment to building resilient communities and ensuring that essential emergency supplies are readily available to those in need,” according to a statement from OECS published this week.

“The collaboration with Direct Relief exemplifies the power of partnerships in addressing global challenges and improving lives.”

Medications Reach Patients in Jordan

A critical shipment of medications arrived in Jordan this week, and included therapies for patients with kidney conditions, autoimmune diseases, and other chronic illnesses.

Direct Relief has provided more than $46 million in medical aid to Jordan since 2011, and continues to support health providers in the country and throughout the region.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 419 shipments containing 666,614 doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 6 million defined daily doses of medication totaling 28,462 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 4,653 shipments to 1,336 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 57 countries. These shipments included 47.8 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $271.1 million wholesale, totaling 720,068 lbs.

In the News

U.S.-Based Direct Relief Wins Seoul Peace Prize – The Korea Times

Snake River Community Clinic Receives $160,000 Grant to Expand Healthcare Services – KLEW-TV

The post Medical Support Reaches Ukraine, 12 Other Countries Over Past Week appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included prenatal vitamins, rare disease therapies, cancer treatments, personal protective equipment, insulin, and more. This week, Direct Relief announced emergency funds for search and rescue organizations that responded to L.A.-area wildfires. Many of these organizations were also on standby this week during heavy rains in burn areas.

Response to L.A.-Area Wildfires Continues

In response to the unprecedented LA wildfires, Direct Relief has awarded more than $2.6 million in emergency operating grants to 43 organizations, including safety-net healthcare providers, mobile clinics, search and rescue teams, reproductive health organizations, and other nonprofits assisting affected communities. These grants provide critical short-term support, helping response partners sustain essential services, assist affected staff, and strengthen preparedness for future emergencies.

In addition to financial aid, Direct Relief has supplied more than $1.2 million in medicines and medical supplies to over 50 healthcare providers, government agencies, and other organizations across 70 locations in L.A. County. This aid includes first aid supplies for triage care, personal care products for displaced individuals, and protective gear for those re-entering burn areas, along with N95 and P100 respirators.

Additional medical supplies include air purifiers, antibiotics, cholesterol medication, and diagnostic equipment for detecting respiratory viruses like flu and COVID-19. The aid also provides diabetes essentials, including glucose test strips, insulin, and oral diabetes medications. Other critical supplies include hepatitis A, B, and Tdap vaccines, infant formula, nebulizers, nutritional supplements, over-the-counter medications, solar chargers, and water purification tablets.

To protect residents returning to burn areas, Direct Relief has provided the L.A. County Department of Public Health with full-body protective gear, including coveralls, N95 respirators, gloves, goggles, and shoe covers. Since the wildfires began, nearly 10,200 sets of protective gear have been delivered to the department and other government agencies.

Meanwhile, Direct Relief continues to support its extensive network of safety-net healthcare providers in L.A. County and across the U.S., ensuring uninterrupted access to essential medicines and medical supplies.

Expanding Cold Storage Capacity at Phoenix Clinic

Native Health, which provides health services across multiple sites to the urban Native American population in Phoenix and the broader community, will expand its cold storage capacity for temperature-sensitive medications.

Direct Relief, through a donation from Sanofi, provided a pharmaceutical-grade refrigerator to Native Health for their new clinic site, where expanded medical, dental, behavioral health services, and other services can be accessed. The refrigeration unit will support the clinic’s new pharmacy, expected to open in summer 2025.

Essential items Assembled for People in Emergencies

Direct Relief volunteers assembled personal care items, including soap and toothpaste, at the organization’s Santa Barbara headquarters on Feb. 11 to support thousands of people affected by displacement and other emergencies.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 835 shipments containing 2.2 million doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 5.5 million defined daily doses of medication totaling 48,209 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 4,211 shipments to 1,288 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 55 countries. These shipments included 41.2 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $260.7 million wholesale, totaling 666,297 lbs.

In the News

Santa Barbara-Based Nonprofit Gives Grants to Southern California Search and Rescue Teams – KCLU

Selena Gomez’s ‘Rare’: The Pop-Up & Valentine’s Shop Supports L.A. Wildfire Relief With Every Purchase – Secret Los Angeles

Mama’s Kitchen Receives $255K Grant from Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity – MSN

Help from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival is Heading to the Wildfire Impacted Communities in Los Angeles – KEYT

The post Medical Aid, Financial Support Continues for L.A.-Area Fire Response Efforts appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included rare disease therapies, cancer treatments, surgical supplies, personal protective equipment, insulin, and more.

Long-Term Recovery Continues After Turkey-Syria Earthquake

On February 6, 2023, powerful earthquakes struck southern Turkey and northwest Syria, killing over 50,000 people and displacing hundreds of thousands.

Two years later, recovery and rebuilding continues, including health services in the region. After the earthquakes, Direct Relief mobilized more than $200 million in medical aid, dispatching over 800 tons of supplies and more than $10 million in financial assistance to frontline healthcare providers.

In the long-term recovery from the earthquakes, mental health support remains a critical need. Direct Relief is funding trauma prevention programs like World Human Relief, providing survivors with ongoing psychological support in a safe, healing environment. Direct Relief is also focused on rehabilitation services, and continues to support the Hatay Medical Chamber, which operates a mobile physical therapy and rehabilitation unit, which treats both adult and pediatric patients.

This essential funding ensures communities have access to vital mental health and rehabilitation resources, supporting their long-term healing and recovery.

Direct Relief Signs MOU with Spanish First Responder Group

In January, Direct Relief signed a memorandum of understanding with United Firefighters Without Borders, or BUSF, a Spanish search and rescue group that has recently responded to extreme flooding in the Valencia area of Spain. The agreement will enable swift, coordinated action during future emergencies.

Direct Relief has worked with BUSF during multiple disaster responses, including in response to the Nov. 2024 unprecedented rainfall and flooding, causing widespread damage and displacing thousands of residents. In response, Direct Relief provided $205,000 in emergency cash grant funds to BUSF to support their deployment to the affected region. BUSF conducted search and rescue efforts, medical evacuations, and clearing critical infrastructure to restore emergency logistics. The grant from Direct Relief enabled the team’s mobilization and funded essential equipment, including water pumps and generators.

Direct Relief also supported BUSF after the organization deployed to support search and rescue efforts after the Sept. 2023 Moroccan earthquake. The memorandum of understanding, signed in person by Direct Relief staff at BUSF’s Madrid headquarters, will support future emergency response efforts.

Diabetes Medications Depart for Young People in East Africa

This week, shipments of oral diabetes medication departed Direct Relief’s Santa Barbara warehouse for Djibouti. The medications are bound for the Centre Jeune des Diabetiques de Djibouti, a national center of excellence for the care of Djibouti’s pediatric/adolescent population with Type 1 diabetes, including patients up to 25 years old. The center provides care for hundreds of patients free of charge – including refugees and migrants, who make up a significant portion of Djibouti’s population.

Direct Relief has also provided cold storage to the organization to support its capacity to accept temperature-sensitive medications. Direct Relief has installed three solar-powered medical-grade refrigerators with future plans to expand cold storage.

Equipping Search and Rescue Emergency Response Teams in Mexico

As part of Direct Relief’s ongoing multi-year emergency preparedness support program with FedEx, Direct Relief staff in Mexico delivered 70 field medic backpacks for first responders this week, equipping them for future emergency response.

Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense’s Emergency Response Battalion received the packs, along with eight emergency health kits filled with essential medications commonly requested after disasters. The emergency response battalion is trained in medical assistance and disaster relief operations, and the delivery will equip the battalion for future emergency responses.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 477 shipments containing 963,531 doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 2.3 million defined daily doses of medication totaling 61,866 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 3,355 shipments to 1,179 partner organizations in 53 U.S. states and territories and 52 countries. These shipments contained 33.6M defined daily doses of medication valued at $171.3M(wholesale) and totaled 596,689 lbs.

in the news

New York Times: Help California Wildfire Victims

NBC News | Today: California Fires – How to Help

LA Times: How to Help Victims of Pacific Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst Fires

Fox News: Video: How to Help Wildfire Victims

CNN: Help Los Angeles Residents During Unprecedented Wildfires

CNBC: Where to Give for California Wildfire Relief

Axios: How to Help Victims of LA Fires

ABC7: How to Help SoCal Wildfire Victims

Charity Navigator: Where to Give for the Palisades Fire 2025

Santa Barbara Independent: Santa Barbara Fire Crews Assist Los Angeles Wildfires

The post Healing Continues Two Years After Devastating Turkey-Syria Earthquake appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included rare disease therapies, cancer therapies, insulin, and more.

MPOX Response Continues in Congo

As mpox cases continue to climb in Africa, educational efforts to curb the disease are taking place in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Direct Relief recently awarded a grant of $50,000 to the nonprofit Jericho Road for mpox response, and prevention and treatment programs that are taking place in the three IDP (internally displaced people) camps near their facility in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or DRC.

The Jericho Road Wellness Center is based in Goma, DRC, near three large IDP camps in North Kivu, and the spread of mpox in these camps was noted as an area of concern by Africa CDC. The province of North Kivu is home to over 2.5 million internally displaced people, and conflict and insecurity throughout the region have caused the additional displacement of over 500,000 people in North Kivu over the last year, which has played a factor in the recent mpox outbreak.

Jericho Road held mpox awareness and preventative health training sessions for community facilitators from camps where thousands of displaced people are living. The trainings covered hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, transmission of contagious diseases, and more. The facilitators will be training those in their communities about infection control and protection and prevention.

Direct Relief has worked with Jericho Road during previous outbreaks, including during the 2019 Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC. Direct Relief and Jericho Road worked to deliver PPE to the North Kivu provincial Department of Health, and the organizations are exploring the same approach as North Kivu is experiencing some of the highest rates of mpox in Africa.

Cancer Therapies Arrive in Gaza

Cancer therapies and essential medicines arrived recently at the Cancer Center at European Gaza Hospital to support treatment of people living with cancer.

The cancer center is a vital lifeline to care for those needing care, and seven pallets of requested medications were purchased locally by Anera in the West Bank, with $250,000 in financial support from Direct Relief. The local purchase of the medications allowed for the treatments to be swiftly delivered to the hospital.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 586 shipments containing 2 million doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 1 million defined daily doses of medication totaling 13,673 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 24.2K shipments to 2,419 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 89 countries. These shipments contained 396.6M defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.6B (wholesale) and totaled 5.0M lbs.

in the news

Reflecting on 24 Years of Crisis Care at Direct Relief – Santa Barbara Independent

Celebrating the Relief Chief – The Montecito Journal

Direct Relief Secures Spot as the Fifth Largest U.S. Charity, Forbes Reports – Edhat

The post Medical Aid Reaches 16 Countries, 45 U.S. States appeared first on Direct Relief.

Included in medications shipped this week were rare disease therapies, vitamins, personal protective equipment, insulin, and more.

Direct Relief CEO Awarded Highest Civilian Honor in Ukraine

In Kyiv earlier this week, Direct Relief CEO Thomas Tighe received the Honorary Diploma of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Ukrainian parliament’s highest civilian honor that is bestowed for exceptional contributions to Ukraine’s democratic development, civil harmony, and legislative progress. A 40-minute feature interview with Tighe regarding the award will air nationally across Ukraine.

Since 2022, Direct Relief has provided over $1.3 billion in medicines, medical supplies, and financial grants to support nonprofits serving the Ukrainian people.

During the visit to Ukraine and the surrounding region, Direct Relief representatives toured critical healthcare facilities of grantees, including the new Protez Foundation prosthetic clinic and the recently upgraded UNBROKEN facility. The renovations at UNBROKEN include a state-of-the-art prosthetics center, a training center, an eight-story residential housing unit, and significant enhancements to a 500-bed hospital.

According to UNBROKEN officials, the facility now handles an average of 250 emergency patients daily—a number that has doubled since the war began.

Direct Relief Ranked as a Top U.S. Disaster Response Nonprofit by Forbes

Direct Relief was profiled in a Forbes feature this week, which referred to the organization as, “one of the most respected and older organizations in the disaster relief business.”

From the article: Direct Relief may pump more aid into disaster relief in the U.S. and abroad than any other charity on the new Forbes list, depending on who’s counting and how. In the year ended June 30, 2024, it received $2.4 billion in medical supply and cash donations and reckons it used $775 million of that to aid victims of, among other tragedies, the Maui, Hawaii forest fires, the earthquake along the Syria/Turkey border, wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, and hurricanes and floods in the U.S. and abroad. The rest went to providing non-disaster medical supply aid to ongoing projects in 50 countries on five continents.

The article goes on to profile how Direct Relief leverages existing relationships and pre-positioned aid shipments to respond quickly and effectively in the wake of disasters. Forbes also details the organization’s focus on the video gaming community as a source of support.

Forbes ranked Direct Relief as number five on its annual Top 100 Charities list.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 592 shipments containing 1.8 million doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 12.7 million defined daily doses of medication totaling 55,869 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 23,700 shipments to 2,406 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 89 countries. These shipments contained 393.6 million defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.6B (wholesale) and totaled 5 million lbs.

in the news

• When Disaster Strikes, These Top Charities Actually Deliver – Forbes
• Nonprofit Director and Future PA Delivers Critical Care During Natural Disaster – AAPA
• Teva Announces New Patient Access Program with Direct Relief to Provide Access to Inhalers for Uninsured Patients
• Direct Relief ranked No. 5 largest U.S. charity | Pacific Coast Business Times
• Direct Relief Ranked No. 5 Largest U.S. Charity

The post Direct Relief Earns Top Ukrainian Civilian Medal, Top Ranking from Forbes appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this month included anesthesia medications for surgery, cancer therapies, insulin, rare disease medications, and more.

Medical Support Arrives in Haiti

Critical medical aid from Direct Relief arrived recently in southern Haiti to support healthcare providers working to reach patients.

A medical shipment containing antibiotics, oral rehydration salts, IV fluids, personal protective equipment, and more was received by staff from NGO Hope for Haiti. The organization runs Infirmary St. Etienne, a healthcare facility in Les Cayes, Haiti, which provides primary care, referrals, and medication for patients in need.

Shipping medical donations into Haiti continues to be challenging, particularly as the main international port in the capital of Port-au-Prince is regularly disrupted by gang violence. Recently, commercial flights have been suspended due to attacks on airlines looking to land at the capital city’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport.

Direct Relief has been working with local organizations in Haiti to support medical needs dynamically as shipping routes and roadways change due to the country’s security situation.

The supplies from Direct Relief will support Infirmary St. Etienne, as well as mobile clinics and other partner healthcare facilities in southern Haiti.

Direct Relief Awarded for Earthquake Response in Turkey

Direct Relief staff were in Ankara, Turkey, this week to meet with local organizations supported as part of the recovery from the 2023 earthquake that devastated large portions of the country.

Direct Relief CEO Thomas Tighe spoke at the National Congress of Public Health, where Direct Relief was given several awards, from the Association of Public Health Specialists of Turkey. Direct Relief supported the organization in the efforts to strengthen women’s health in Hatay after the Feb 23 EQs.

Direct Relief also received an award from the Psychiatry Association of Turkey and the Emergency Medicine Association of Turkey for support during earthquake response and recovery.

Critical Medical Aid Supports Lebanon’s Health System

Six tons of medical aid, including medications, vitamins, and field medic packs for triage care recently arrived in Lebanon. The shipment, received by Anera, will be distributed to public hospitals and other healthcare facilities in the country, in coordination with Lebanon’s Ministry of Health.

YemenAid CEO Visits Direct Relief

This week, Direct Relief hosted YemenAid CEO Summer Nasser, who spoke about the organization’s work in Yemen and Direct Relief-supported efforts to strengthen health services in the country.

Nasser spoke about the challenges of strengthening medical care amid conflict and lack of infrastructure, including limited electricity and clean water access. Direct Relief has supported the organization with more than $12.5 million in medical aid since 2017, including cancer treatment therapies for breast cancer clinics in the country.

The organization has also received more than $360,000 in financial aid, including funds that supported two oxygen plants that strengthen hospital capacity for critical services.

Humble Bundle Selects Direct Relief as Charity of the Month

Humble Bundle announced this week that Direct Relief will be its featured charity of the month for December, continuing a partnership that has raised more than $10 million to support health and humanitarian efforts worldwide. Contributions from Humble’s community have been instrumental in funding disaster response efforts, including recent support for communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, wildfires, and global crises.

As Dr. Byron Scott, Direct Relief COO, shared: “For more than a decade, Humble Bundle has stood alongside Direct Relief, helping ensure people in crisis have access to the care they need. With support from the Forward Fund, Direct Relief is ready for disasters before they even happen and able to respond whenever they occur. We are profoundly grateful for Humble Bundle’s partnership and to the Humble community.”

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 373 shipments containing 709,279 doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 1.6M defined daily doses of medication totaling 26,291 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 23.1K shipments to 2,392 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 89 countries. These shipments contained 379.9M defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.5B (wholesale) and totaled 4.9M lbs.

in the news

• At the Top! International Relief Agency Based in Santa Barbara Gets 100% Charity Navigator Rating – KCLU
• Santa Barbara Nonprofits Say “Giving Tuesday” Can Change the World – KEYT
• Global Impact, Local Roots: The Mission of Direct Relief – Noozhawk
• Philanthropy in the 21st Century – Civil Dialogues Podcast – Pacific Coast Business Times
• Direct Relief Supports First Responders in Spain After Devastating Floods – Angels in Medicine
• In Yemen, Midwives Learn New Skills to Support Women and Babies – ReliefWeb
• Direct Relief Earns Top 100% Rating by Charity Navigator for 2024 – 3BL

The post Strengthening Healthcare Services in Haiti appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this month included vitamins, personal protective equipment, personal hygiene essentials, and more.

Ultrasounds, Essential Care Included Midwifery Training in Yemen

In an effort to build resilience and foster sustainable healthcare solutions in Yemen, local NGO MedGlobal, supported by Direct Relief, recently conducted a training program aimed at strengthening healthcare systems and empowering local healthcare providers in Yemen to deliver life-saving care in resource-limited settings.

Hosted at MedGlobal’s newly established training center at Al-Tawahi Health Facility in Aden, Yemen, the training involved 30 midwives and doctors who gained advanced skills to overcome the challenges of providing maternal and newborn care in underserved areas.

Providers took part in several courses, including training on point-of-care ultrasounds, and essential care for more mothers and newborns.

Expanding Substance Abuse Treatment in Puerto Rico

Recently, Direct Relief participated in the inauguration of a medication-assisted treatment clinic of the health center, SANOS, located in Caguas, Puerto Rico. The new building provides integrated physical and mental healthcare services as well as buprenorphine treatment for patients recovering from substance abuse.

In 2021, SANOS received a $765,000 grant from Direct Relief to expand clinic space that would house the medication-assisted treatment clinic. Since 2018, Direct Relief has awarded $1,096,400 in grant funding to SANOS, including funds for a medical mobile unit, telehealth efforts, equipment for a women’s clinic, and support of donated medications.

The clinic will provide integrated services for people in recovery with a multidisciplinary team, and the SANOS space will soon house a dental clinic for patients as well. SANOS incorporated a multipurpose room that will serve as a community hub and shelter during emergencies.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 1,800 shipments containing 5.6M doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 18.5M defined daily doses of medication totaling 411,724 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 22.6K shipments to 2,375 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 88 countries. These shipments contained 376.1M defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.5B (wholesale) and totaled 4.8M lbs.

in the news

Civil Dialogues – Philanthropy in the 21st Century, with Thomas Tighe – Pacific Coast Business Times

A New Generation of Doctors Looks to Health Centers for Residency – Community Health Forum

The post In Yemen, Midwives Learn New Skills to Support Women and Babies appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included prenatal vitamins, cancer treatment therapies, personal protective equipment, field medic packs for triage care, diabetes management medications, and more.

Continued Response to Historic Flooding in Spain

Earlier this month, the Spanish province of Valencia experienced unprecedented rainfall and flooding, causing widespread damage and displacing thousands of residents. In response, Direct Relief provided a $135,000 emergency cash grant to Bomberos Unidos Sin Fronteras, or BUSF, a Spanish search and rescue organization, to support their deployment to the affected region.

The 17-member BUSF emergency response team recently concluded its operations, which focused on search and rescue efforts, medical evacuations, and clearing critical infrastructure to restore emergency logistics. The grant from Direct Relief enabled the team’s mobilization and funded essential equipment, including water pumps and generators.

In the aftermath of the acute response phase, BUSF is planning to collaborate with the local Red Cross and other agencies to address ongoing health and water, sanitation, and hygiene needs. To support these efforts, Direct Relief is preparing a shipment of 36 field medic backpacks and 200 personal care kits with hygiene items such as soap and shampoo.

Direct Relief remains committed to supporting those impacted by these disasters and adapting its response efforts to meet evolving global needs.

Protective Equipment Departs for Health Workers Battling Mpox

As part of its ongoing efforts to combat the mpox outbreak in Africa, Direct Relief is preparing to ship mpox response kits to support health efforts as cases surpassed 50,000 across the continent last week.

Since the outbreak began, Direct Relief has partnered with Jericho Road and the Wellness Clinic at New Hope Center in Goma to provide critical support. This has included grant funding that enables Jericho Road staff to treat patients in internally displaced persons camps and curb the disease’s spread.

Direct Relief’s mpox response kits contain essential medical resources, including personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns, N-95 masks, goggles, and shoe covers to protect up to 100 healthcare workers. Each kit also contains medications for pain management and skin irritation, wound care supplies, and disinfectant wipes for up to 1,000 patients.

Bomb Cyclone Slams Pacific Coast

Northern California and the Pacific Northwest are experiencing heavy rain, damaging winds, and rising snow levels from a strong atmospheric river and bombogenesis (“bomb cyclone”), lasting through Friday and possibly lingering through the weekend. Storm-impacted communities in the region are expecting power outages, flash floods, and potential mudslides.

Direct Relief has been in touch with the California Office of Emergency Services, state and regional primary care associations, health centers, and clinics in impacted areas.

When It Matters Most, Direct Relief Delivers

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 438 shipments containing 577K doses of medication during the past seven days to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 2.7M defined daily doses of medication totaling 31,246 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 22.3K shipments to 2,313 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 88 countries. These shipments contained 374.9M defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.5B (wholesale) and totaled 4.8M lbs.

The post Recovery Continues in Spain After Deadly Flooding appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included prenatal vitamins, cancer treatment therapies, personal protective equipment, field medic packs for triage care, diabetes management medications, and more.

Critical Medications Equip Medical Responders Treating Patients with Cholera

Medications and supplies for the treatment of cholera recently arrived in Juba, South Sudan, where a cholera outbreak presents a threat, particularly for children.

South Sudan, formed in 2011, is the world’s newest country and faces multiple converging challenges, including ongoing domestic ethnic conflict, economic instability, and unprecedented flooding. These issues have been further exacerbated by the civil war in Sudan, which has led to an influx of over 684,000 Sudanese refugees flowing over the border into South Sudan.

A cholera outbreak was recently identified at a location where many people had fled from Sudan into South Sudan, and health authorities are working to contain the spread, which can be exacerbated in areas without access to clean water and sanitation services. Cholera can be particularly dangerous for children, who can become dehydrated rapidly from the disease.

Recently, a Direct Relief-donated cholera treatment kit was received in Juba by the International Organization for Migration South Sudan. The organization provides essential services such as shelter, healthcare, and sanitation in camps for people who have been displaced within the country. This includes camps in Bentiu, which host between 100,000 to 160,000 displaced people.

Direct Relief’s shipment included a wide variety of essential medications for IOM’s work in IDP camps throughout the country. With cholera cases on the rise in South Sudan and regionally, Direct Relief’s shipment of a cholera treatment kit, designed to treat up to 280 patients, as well as field medic packs for use by first responders in the IDP camps, arrives at a critical time for medical providers in South Sudan.

Direct Relief’s partnership with IOM in South Sudan will facilitate medical aid for patients at border crossings, IDP camps, and IDP centers, supporting care in high-need humanitarian settings.

Honduras Braces for Rain, Flooding as Tropical Storm Sara Barrels Through Region

Tropical Storm Sara was drenching Honduras with heavy rains on Friday, and authorities were warning residents of possible landslides and flash flooding.

Direct Relief has been in communication with local organizations and health facilities in Honduras and across the region this week as they prepared for the tropical storm. The organization has also been coordinating with the Pan American Health Organization on regional needs.

On Friday, a dengue treatment kit, which contains items for the prevention of the spread of the mosquito-borne illness, was staged for shipment to Honduras.

The kit is bound for Ruth Paz Hospital in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, a facility that offers care for people unable to pay for services. Dengue has claimed more than 100 lives this year in Honduras, according to the country’s ministry of health, and total cases were around 100,000 in August of this year. Flooding and standing water resulting from Tropical Storm Sara could create ideal conditions for more mosquito-borne diseases.

In response to increased cases of dengue fever across Latin America and the Caribbean, Direct Relief developed the dengue treatment kit, which contains mosquito repellant, repellant wipes, oral rehydration salts, acetaminophen for adults and for children, and thermometers. There is no cure for dengue fever, but the items in the kit aim for prevention of the disease and supportive care of a person experiencing the illness.

Earlier this year, Direct Relief shipped field medic packs, packed with items for triage care outside of clinic walls, as well as a hurricane preparedness pack to the Honduran Red Cross, located near Tegucigalpa, the country’s capital city. The hurricane preparedness packs, which are shipped each year in advance of Atlantic storm season, are pre-positioned in hurricane-prone areas and stocked with medicines and supplies commonly requested after large storms. Medications include first aid items, chronic disease medication, water purification supplies, and more to keep health facilities operational after a disaster.

Midwife Kits Arrive in Nigeria

Midwives supporting healthy births in Nigeria recently received tools and supplies to help mothers and babies. Direct Relief-donated midwife kits, which contain items to support up to 50 facility-based births, recently arrived at the St. Charles Hospital and Maternity Wing in Adoka, Nigeria.

The country has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, according to the World Health Organization. The U-VOL Foundation received the kits and will be distributing them to midwives at the facility.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 509 shipments containing 1.7M doses of medication during the past seven days to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 5.3M defined daily doses of medication totaling 54,570 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 21.8K shipments to 2,299 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 88 countries. These shipments contained 371.6M defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.5B (wholesale) and totaled 4.8M lbs.

In the News

Calmer winds help firefighters make progress against California’s Mountain Fire – NBC News

How victims of California’s Mountain Fire can find help — and how others can donate or volunteer – CBS News

Direct Relief responds with thousands of masks for those who are inhaling ash in Ventura County – KEYT

IMSS recibe donativo de 30 mochilas tácticas para atender emergencias – MSN

Twitch Streaming Isn’t Just For Gamers Anymore – Yahoo Entertainment

The post As Outbreak Rages, Cholera Treatment Kits Arrive in South Sudan appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included personal protective equipment for those impacted by wildfire smoke, field medic packs for triage care, rare disease therapies, and more.

Direct Relief Responds Locally to California’s Mountain Fire

As the fast-moving Mountain Fire tears through large areas of Ventura County, it is destroying dozens of homes, filling the air with smoke and particulates, and forcing more than 10,000 people to evacuate. Direct Relief staff are on the ground in the county this week to distribute N95 respirators — more than 12,000 thus far — and other emergency support to residents and responding partners, including the Ventura County Office of Emergency Services.

At Direct Relief’s headquarters in Santa Barbara, about an hour north, staff have loaded additional respirators and supplies for transport to the Ventura Family YMCA, Camarillo Family YMCA, Ventura County Health Care Agency, and the Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project. Shipments of emergency medical packs, developed for field medics responding to disasters, personal care kits for displaced communities, and a wildfire kit are being prepared in Direct Relief’s medical warehouse for the Westminster Free Clinic and Planned Parenthood Central Coast, both local health providers.

To support disaster response and containment, Direct Relief provided funding to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, which is using a helicopter retrofitted for large water drops to fight the Mountain Fire from above.

Because Ventura County is an agricultural center, impacts on farmworkers laboring outdoors are a particular concern. Local agencies and groups, including the Ventura County Farm Bureau, have received respirators for distribution to agricultural workers.

Direct Relief staff members, distributing N95 respirators to county residents at the Ventura Family YMCA, heard concerns that protective masks have been difficult to find, and that people with respiratory health conditions are concerned about impacts from poor air quality.

The scale and speed of the Mountain Fire’s destruction indicate that additional medical support, from respiratory treatments like inhalers to chronic disease medications, is likely to be called for. Direct Relief will continue collaborating with partners to assess and respond to medical needs.

After Hurricanes Helene and Milton, A Long Road to Recovery

Despite large-scale recovery efforts, hurricane-affected communities across the southeastern U.S. still confront threats from contaminated water, widespread displacement, housing shortages compounded by many thousands of damaged structures, and financial hardship. Health impacts are widespread, as is the need for medical resilience and long-term care access.

As of November 7, Direct Relief had awarded $750,000 in emergency operating grants to 30 healthcare provider partners in Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee, enabling them to safeguard and expand health care access, including mobile clinic services and mental health care, to storm-impacted communities.

Direct Relief had also dispatched more than 180 shipments of specifically requested emergency medical aid valued at nearly $3.1 million to 35 healthcare providers responding to the needs of storm-affected communities in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Antibiotics, emergency medical backpacks, hygiene kits, over-the-counter products, personal protective equipment, and medications to manage chronic diseases were urgently requested and provided. Direct Relief also delivered epinephrine, oral rehydration salts, re-entry kits, water purification tablets, and vaccines for Covid-19, hepatitis A and B, influenza, and tetanus. Covid-19 vaccines, epinephrine, hepatitis A and B vaccines, influenza vaccines, naloxone, oral rehydration salts, re-entry kits, tetanus vaccines, and water purification tablets to responding organizations.

Cumulatively, the organization prepositioned 30 Hurricane Preparedness Packs with safety net providers in states affected by the hurricanes ahead of the 2024 Atlantic storm season. At least three health facilities in Florida and Georgia opened their prepositioned packs in response to the hurricane.

In addition, Direct Relief has committed more than $4.8 million for the design, installation, and maintenance of clean, resilient power systems at 11 community health centers in Florida and North Carolina through its Power for Health Initiative. Installation was recently completed at two facilities within eastern North Carolina’s Goshen Medical Center network, one of which would have lost power following Hurricane Helene but for its newly installed system. In 2025, Direct Relief plans to partner with at least six additional health facilities along the Gulf Coast for new projects.

As part of its ongoing support programs, Direct Relief has delivered more than 650 shipments valued at more than $7.2 million to more than 220 healthcare providers in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia since Hurricane Helene made landfall.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 529 shipments containing 2.5M doses of medication during the past seven days to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 10.1M defined daily doses of medication totaling 48,234 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 21.3K shipments to 2,290 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 88 countries. These shipments contained 364.6M defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.4B (wholesale) and totaled 4.4M lbs.

In the News

Mountain Fire burns over 20K acres; 132 structures, mostly homes, destroyed, 88 damaged – Ventura County Star

CRE: Community Health Center unveils new battery system – Pacific Coast Business Times

At Florida Health Centers, “A Rush of Folks” Seek Mental Health Care in Hurricane Aftermath – Community Health Forum

The post As Mountain Fire Exceeds 20,000 Acres, Response Continues appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included field medic packs for triage care, diabetes and hemophilia-focused medicines, anti-inflammatories, personal protective equipment, anesthetics, rare disease therapies, and more.

Tropical Storm Trami Hits the Philippines, Larger Region

Tropical Storm Trami made landfall in the northeastern Philippines last week, killing at least 152 people. Known locally as Kristine, the storm brought heavy flooding and landslides which, along with strong winds, have hampered relief efforts.

In an initial response, Direct Relief, which has staff based in the Philippines, offered field medic packs equipped with medical essentials to the Philippines’ Department of Health and to the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, and remains ready to respond to requests from partner organizations in the area.

The Philippines, the greater Southeast Asia region, and China were hit earlier this year by Typhoon Yagi, which killed dozens of people, and by Typhoon Gaemi. Direct Relief coordinated with the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) to assess and respond to needs throughout Southeast Asia.

Major flooding has also taken place throughout the year in Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. In India, the flooding triggered a major mudslide in July. A medical bus purchased with Direct Relief funds by Amrita Hospital in Kerala, India, was deployed in response. This week, a requested three-pallet shipment was dispatched to Dhulikhel Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, in response to flooding and landslides in that country.

Flood events in South Asia are frequently connected to cyclones and tropical storms. After landfall in the Philippines and Vietnam, they weaken into low-pressure systems as they move inland. Within a week, these systems reach the Himalayas, where they can generate heavy rainfall that flows southward, leading to flooding in Nepal and extending into northern Pakistan and India.

Direct Relief will continue to respond as needed.

Direct Relief Storytelling Reaches New Global Audiences

Direct Relief’s co-produced short documentary with the BBC, the “Invisible Impacts of Wildfires,” was screened this week at the Tel Aviv International Film Festival by CINEVERSE. The documentary explores survival and resilience five years after the devastating Camp Fire in Butte County, California. Through the voices of healthcare providers at local health center Ampla Health and survivors, the video reveals harrowing, life-or-death moments from that day and the sustained efforts to rebuild and protect a community’s vital medical clinic, with a focus on resilient power, thereby ensuring care for all, no matter the challenge ahead.

The short doc premiered at the BBC Studios in New York City last year, has also been shown at the World Health Organization’s Health for All Film Festival, COP28 UAE in Dubai, and screened at Direct Relief’s headquarters with a panel featuring former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, UCSB Professor Olivier Deschenes, Washington Post Journalist Brianna Sacks. According to the BBC, the series has over 25 million views across social media.

“Invisible Impacts of Wildfires” is part of the BBC’s “The Climate & Us” series, which explores the global link between climate and health, as well as highlighting innovative healthcare solutions.

Supporting Local Veterans in Santa Barbara County

Last weekend, local nonprofit Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down held its 12th annual event to support veterans who are homeless or otherwise at-risk with free access to food, legal services, clothing, hygiene items, haircuts, medical care, social services, and more. Direct Relief, headquartered in Santa Barbara County, California, supported the event with donated personal care products, including soap, razors, and other hygiene items, sunscreen, and N95 masks.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 366 shipments containing 916,012 doses of medication during the past seven days to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 1.1M defined daily doses of medication totaling 16,811 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 20.6K shipments to 2,282 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 88 countries. These shipments contained 351.5M defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.4B (wholesale) and totaled 4.4M lbs.

In the News

Heat, Carnival donate $2M to Direct Relief in support of hurricane recovery efforts – NBA.com

Going solar! Ventura County clinic gets solar power system which keeps it running during blackouts – KCLU

Teva, in Partnership With Direct Relief, Honored by U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation for Mental Health Efforts – Accesswire

Community Health Centers cuts ribbon on solar, battery system at Skyway Telehealth Center – Santa Maria Times

The post Responding to Tropical Storm Trami in Southeast Asia appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included field medic packs for triage care, thyroid medications, anti-inflammatory medications, personal protective equipment, rare disease therapies, and more.

Mobile Health Services Reach Hurricane-Battered Communities

Emergency response continues for Direct Relief as communities in the southeastern U.S. recover from back-to-back hurricanes.

As of October 25, Direct Relief had dispatched 111 shipments of specifically requested emergency medical aid valued at nearly $2.5 million to 26 healthcare providers responding to the needs of storm-affected communities in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Among medical items shipped are antibiotics, emergency medical backpacks, hygiene kits, over-the-counter products, personal protective equipment, and medications to manage chronic diseases, as well as tetanus vaccine, hepatitis A and B vaccines, epinephrine for allergic reactions from bee and yellow jacket stings, oral rehydration salts, and water purification tablets.

Recently, Dr. Yousef Motii, a clinician for Oceana Community Health who has been providing medical outreach in the Spanish Lakes community, which was hard-hit by tornadoes during Hurricane Milton’s path, delivered Direct Relief-donated hygiene items to the community. Dr. Motii also used a Direct Relief field medic pack to support the triage care of patients.

This week, Direct Relief announced $700,000 in direct cash support to 28 organizations providing healthcare services in hurricane-impacted communities. These grants are designated to individual health centers, charitable clinics, and other nonprofit providers responding to these crises, in order to keep health care services accessible to low-income patients affected by these disasters.

Critical Anti-Infection Therapies Arrive in Gaza

An eight-pallet shipment of antibiotic therapies recently arrived for cancer patients in Gaza living with reduced immunity. The Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital has historically treated thousands of patients with cancer in Gaza, but the hospital became non-operational until a recent relocation of services to Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

NGO Anera, which worked with Direct Relief to transport the donation into Gaza, delivered the medication to the hospital’s relocated facility, which includes a cancer treatment center.

Direct Relief continues to provide humanitarian support to Gaza and regionally. So far in 2024, Direct Relief has provided more than $255 million in requested aid across the region, including to Egypt, Gaza, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, West Bank, and Yemen.

California Free Clinics Convene at Direct Relief

Representatives from more than 33 free clinics across the state of California convened this week at Direct Relief.

The California Association of Free and Charitable Clinics Annual Conference and Membership meeting met in Direct Relief’s Hatch Hall on Friday morning, kicking off a two-day conference, covering topics including sustainable funding strategies, legal and policy issues, and the current landscape in the state for free and charitable medical care.

Direct Relief staff welcomed the clinic representatives, briefing attendees on the history of the organization, Direct Relief’s work to support free clinics in the state during wildfires, floods, and the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as product support available for request.

Since 2008, Direct Relief has supported 71 free and charitable clinics throughout California with more than $30 million worth of medicines and medical supplies. Fifteen clinics across the state have also received $1.29 million in cash grants to support programs focused on health equity and mental health.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 445 shipments containing 1.8M doses of medication during the past seven days to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 1.7M defined daily doses of medication totaling 22,179 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 20.3K shipments to 2,269 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 88 countries. These shipments contained 349.5M defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.4B (wholesale) and totaled 4.3M lbs.

In the News

After Hurricane Helene, Pop-Up Microgrids Powered Medical Clinics, Water Generators, Communications Equipment, and Other Critical Resources – Microgrid Knowledge

Familiar with disaster, New Orleans-area residents step up to help after Hurricanes Helene, Milton – NOLA.com

As Hurricane Milton hits Florida, how New Yorkers can help loved ones in harm’s way – CBS News

Hurricane Milton: How to donate, receive help in Palm Beach County – The Palm Beach Post

This San Diego Health Center Offers Patients a Career Focused on Community – Angels in Medicine

Solon Schools’ Comet Care initiative seeks to provide relief for hurricane victims – Cleveland.com

Amid Haiti Turmoil, Direct Relief and Partners Test New Pathways for Insulin Donations – Angels in Medicine

The post After Hurricanes, Mobile Medicine Meets Patients Where They Are appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included insulin, vitamins, medication refrigeration systems, and more.

Supporting Health Providers after Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene made landfall over Florida’s Big Bend region and triggered historic flooding and landslides across western North Carolina, Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key, a barrier island off Florida’s southwest coast. Hurricane Milton’s arrival brought hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall of up to 18 inches, and dangerous storm surge, and triggered more than 120 tornado warnings across central and southern Florida.

In North Carolina, relief and recovery efforts—including debris removal, service restoration, and the delivery of emergency food, water, and other assistance—continue now nearly three weeks following Hurricane Helene’s passage. As of October 16, state officials had verified 95 storm-related deaths, while nearly 100 people remained missing.

Direct Relief’s hurricane response

In response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Direct Relief has made available $78 million in essential medicines and medical supplies to community health centers, free and charitable clinics, and other healthcare partners in hurricane-affected areas.

In addition, Direct Relief has committed $750,000 in emergency operating grants to 30 healthcare provider partners, many of which have reported storm-related damages, loss of medicines, and site closures due to continued communications, power, and water outages. The grants seek to provide a financial cushion, enabling these safety net providers to launch critical mobile health and community outreach initiatives, procure urgently needed supplies, and cover other unanticipated expenses following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

As of October 17, Direct Relief had dispatched 77 shipments of specifically requested emergency medical aid valued at nearly $1.5 million to 21 healthcare providers responding to the needs of storm-affected communities in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. In addition to commonly requested items, such as antibiotics, emergency medical backpacks, hygiene kits, over-the-counter products, personal protective equipment, and medications to manage chronic diseases, Direct Relief is responding to increased requests for tetanus vaccine, hepatitis A and B vaccines, epinephrine for allergic reactions from bee and yellow jacket stings, oral rehydration salts, and water purification tablets, reflective of the widespread flooding and water service outages in many storm-affected areas.

Direct Relief is also preparing to deliver re-entry kits comprising personal protective equipment intended to minimize the risks associated with returning to one’s community or property following a disaster event to support communities in North Carolina that experienced significant flooding.

In addition to these emergency relief efforts, Direct Relief continues to support healthcare providers in states affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as across the U.S., with ongoing donations of essential medicines and medical supplies. Since Hurricane Helene’s landfall, Direct Relief has delivered 243 shipments valued at more than $1.9 million to 116 healthcare providers in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee

–Reporting by Sofie Blomst

Coordinating Emergency Response and Logistics in Africa

This week, Direct Relief staff visited Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to meet with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, the Ethiopian Diabetes Association, and the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service. Direct Relief also conducted site visits with ongoing program support partners.

A shipment of emergency supplies from Direct Relief was delivered to the Ethiopian Ministry of Health this week, coinciding with the organization’s visit, in response to the devastating landslides that occurred in Ethiopia’s Gofa zone over the summer, which resulted in over 250 fatalities. Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa and 10th most populous in the world. On Thursday, Direct Relief met with Her Excellency Dr. Mekdes Daba, the Ethiopian Minister of Health, to present Direct Relief’s history of support to Ethiopia and new opportunities for closer cooperation with the MOH.

Direct Relief met with the Africa CDC Headquarters to discuss the ongoing mpox outbreak that has been spreading through Central and West Africa. The two organizations coordinated an emergency response for the current mpox outbreak, and have begun developing a strategy for Direct Relief to continue to support Africa CDC’s disease outbreak responses continent-wide. The current outbreak has led to 31,166 suspected cases and 844 confirmed fatalities, 87% of which have occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Health Center in North Carolina Completes Resilient Power System

The Goshen Medical Center, in Clinton, North Carolina, received the state’s second solar power system from Direct Relief’s Power for Health initiative. The health center’s solar power system is now fully operational and will provide reliable power for up to 26 hours off grid.

Direct Relief’s Power for Health Initiative seeks to bring clean, renewable backup power to community health centers and free clinics to ensure they can deliver critical healthcare services during power outages.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 627 shipments containing 2.7M doses of medication during the past seven days to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 3.1M defined daily doses of medication totaling 43,450 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 19.8K shipments to 2,261 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 88 countries. These shipments contained 346M defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.4B (wholesale) and totaled 4.3M lbs.  

In the News

• North Carolina is distributing Benadryl and EpiPens as yellow jackets swarm from Helene flooding – AP News
• Hurricanes’ hidden toll: Thousands of deaths years after they strike – The Washington Post
• How to help after Hurricane Milton and what to do if you need aid – The Washington Post
• Here’s how to help victims of Hurricane Milton – NBC News
• Direct Relief CEO shares how the non-profit will help Floridians impacted by Hurricane Milton – CBS News
• How to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene: Charities, organizations to support relief efforts – ABC News
• How to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene: Charities, organizations to support relief efforts – Good Morning America
• Hurricane Milton – Charity Navigator
• Here’s what it is like to be a Hurricane Helene first responder – Fast Company
• Here’s how New Yorkers can help Hurricane Helene victims in NC, Florida – Yahoo! News
• SONIC SUNSHINE – LIVESTREAM BENEFIT, OCTOBER 18, 8PM (E) A Show of Unity & Support to Raise Funds for Hurricane Relief
• How tri-state residents can help Hurricane Milton victims – NBC New York
• Take action to help those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton – The Obama Foundation

The post With Recovery Underway, Medical Aid Advances for Those in Path of Hurricanes Helene and Milton appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included personal protective equipment, surgical necessities, rare disease therapies, and more.

One Year Later, Morocco Continues to Recover After Devastating Quake

The 2023 Morocco earthquake devastated the region, recording more than 2,900 casualties and over 5,500 injuries from the quake. Internal displacement in the country peaked at an estimated 500,000 and over 50,000 homes were totally or partially collapsed across the five provinces affected. The remote, largely indigenous Amazigh villages of the High Atlas Mountains that were most impacted by the earthquake are also home to many of the country’s most vulnerable populations.

In response to the earthquake, Direct Relief mobilized more than 20 tons of material aid as well as more than $600,000 in funding to support acute and long-term recovery efforts focused on search and rescue operations, emergency maternal and child health services, ambulance procurement, resilient solar power for health centers, and building of a community health center.

Recently, Direct Relief staff visited Morocco to meet with partner organizations that received emergency funding in response to the 2023 earthquake.

Direct Relief visited the ongoing construction of Mayshad Community Health Center in Tansghart, Al Haouz district. This primary health center will serve 687 families in the earthquake-affected, remote villages of Tansghart in the Atlas Mountains and is expected to be completed in early 2025.

Direct Relief staff also visited the Asni Women’s Health Center, which provides labor and delivery services, pre-and post-natal care, and general gynecological services for the area and clinicians there see an average of 80 women per day.

The 10 solar panels installed on the roof of the clinic provide the energy needed to consistently power essential medical equipment including newborn incubators, vaccine refrigerators, patient monitoring devices, as well as administrative systems for the center. This installation is one of 30 centers receiving solar panel systems as part of a $105,000 grant from Direct Relief to fund long-term earthquake recovery, implemented by local Moroccan NGO, the Illy Foundation.

U.S. Overdose Numbers Drop

For the first time in a decade, deaths in the U.S. due to drug overdose are down, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A decline of roughly 10.6 percent in deaths caused by drugs has been recorded by national surveys taken by the CDC. One reason for this decrease is due to the availability and education of naloxone, an overdose-reversing drug, according to public health experts.

Direct Relief has distributed more than 2.7 million doses of naloxone since 2017, including to public health departments, educational institutions, harm reduction groups, health centers, and free clinics across the United States.

Naloxone Support Across the U.S.

Opioid Crisis

Responding to the Opioid Crisis in West Virginia

oPIOID cRISIS

‘No One Else Has To Die’: L.A.-Area Group Fights Overdoses

oPIOID cRISIS

NOLA Providers Step Up for Patients in Recovery

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 572 shipments containing 1.3M doses of medication during the past seven days to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 3.4M defined daily doses of medication totaling 60,765 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 18.1K shipments to 2,192 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 86 countries. These shipments contained 333.8M defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.2B (wholesale) and totaled 4M lbs.  

The post Resilient Power Shines After Morocco’s 2023 Earthquake appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medications shipped this week included rare disease therapies, diabetes management medications, chronic disease treatments, and more.

Expanding Resilient Power for U.S. Healthcare Safety Net

This week, Direct Relief announced a new $10 million commitment to bring clean, resilient backup power to more facilities that serve low-income people in medically underserved areas across the United States.

Extreme weather events and emergency situations create enhanced health risks for people who rely on nonprofit health facilities. Such events create new health risks and the need for expanded health services, even as the availability of services is likely to be severely reduced or lost due to power outages.

Direct Relief’s Power for Health Initiative provides grant funding to health clinics that serve vulnerable and underserved patient populations to cover the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of solar power and battery storage microgrids. The nonprofit clinics and health centers own the systems and derive 100% of the benefits – the resiliency benefits coming from batteries that provide power in the event of an outage, and the immediate and recurring financial benefits of reduced utility costs coming from generating their own electricity through the solar panels.

More Power for Health projects continue to come online at nonprofit clinics and health centers nationwide, with 20 completed projects in Puerto Rico, Louisiana, North Carolina, and California and dozens in the design and construction pipeline – including in Texas and Florida. The latest facilities where Direct Relief-funded resilient power systems have been completed include Harmony Health Medical Clinic (Marysville, CA), in an area prone to explosive wildfires, and Goshen Medical Center (Tabor City, NC), at high risk of hurricanes.

Read more.

Most Powerful Storm in a Decade, Super Typhoon Yagi Strikes China

A powerful super typhoon struck southern China on Friday, bringing wind speeds of more than 138 miles per hour to the island of Hainan. Super Typhoon Yagi made landfall on the island located south of mainland China, and about 400,000 residents had been evacuated to higher ground ahead of the storm, the strongest recorded in the region since a 2014 storm that killed 46 people.

The storm is expected to cause major damage in Hainan and China’s most populous province, Guangdong. Yagi’s path caused impacts in the Phillippines earlier this week.

Direct Relief is monitoring the storm and its impact and will respond to the region as needed.

Medical Support Arrives for Ukrainian Hospitals

Relief for Ukraine continues, and this week a Direct Relief shipment arrived for distribution in Mykolaiv, located in southern Ukraine. Medicines for treatment of epilepsy, medications for heart conditions, wound dressings and surgical supplies and IV fluids were all included, and will be distributed by the organization Ukrainian Soul to hospitals and emergency medical centers in the region.

Since February 2022, Direct Relief has provided more than $1.3 billion in support to Ukraine and refugees in surrounding countries.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 302 shipments containing 179,948 doses of medication during the past seven days to organizations, including the following:

AROUND THE WORLD

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 6.5M defined daily doses of medication totaling 66,227 lbs., to countries including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 17K shipments to 2,125 partner organizations in 54 US states and territories and 85 countries. These shipments contained 316.0M defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.0B (wholesale) and totaled 3.8M lbs.  

In the News

• iHeartRadio Hosts Direct Relief
• Native Health Phoenix “Native Talk Arizona” Features Direct Relief
• The Best Natural Disaster Response is to be Prepared – Newsday

The post Medical Support Departs for 15 Countries, U.S. Safety Net Facilities Get a Resilient Power Boost appeared first on Direct Relief.

Medical aid delivered this week included antibiotics, personal protective equipment, and cancer treatments.

Strengthening Solar Energy Capacity in Africa

This week, with funding from Direct Relief, Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health commissioned a solar power installation to support the energy needs of the Bo Government Hospital. The installation will provide reliable power for 70% of the hospital’s energy intake. The energy will ensure medical oxygen is readily available for patients 24/7.

This initiative is part of the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s (SCCM) Africa Infrastructure Relief and Support (AIRS) project, which was first started in 2023 to bring lifesaving oxygen to hospitals in The Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

The SCCM AIRS project received a $5.5 million grant from Direct Relief.

Learn more about the SCCM AIRS project here.

Supporting Community Health Centers in the U.S.

Last week, Direct Relief attended the National Association of Community Health Centers’ annual Community Health Institute and Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. The community health centers provide affordable, comprehensive healthcare (often including medical, dental, behavioral health) and support services, to the country’s most vulnerable populations. Direct Relief provides ongoing support to these clinics for patient care, including during times of disaster.

Direct Relief was also recognized by NACHC as a ‘Partner of Choice’ and Direct Relief’s Chief Operating Office Dr. Byron C. Scott spoke on a general session panel with HLTH, Instacart Health, and AltaMed Health Services, a community health center in Los Angeles, California.

The panel, titled ‘Beyond the Medical Exam Room/Social Determinants of Health,’ invited the speakers to detail how their organizations are addressing healthcare gaps through technology, healthy food access, patient education on policy impacts, and providing access to medications that many patients, served by health centers, cannot afford.

Operational Snapshot

WORLDWIDE

Over the last week, Direct Relief shipped 317,544 defined daily doses of medication to countries outside the U.S. that include the following:

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 313 shipments containing 189,554 doses of medication during the past seven days to organizations, including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 16,600 shipments to 2,108 partner organizations in all 54 U.S. states, four U.S. territories, and 85 countries.

These shipments contained 309.3 million defined daily doses of medication valued at $1 billion (wholesale) and totaled 3.8 million pounds.

In THE NEWS

• Emergent’s Smallpox Vaccine Picks Up FDA Nod for Mpox as Africa Outbreak Spreads – FiercePharma
• ICN Partners with Humanitarian Aid Distribution Experts Direct Relief to Maximize the Efficient Delivery of Disaster Relief Supplies – ICN News
• OECS Commission & Direct Relief Announce Partnership Agreement to Enhance Climate Health Resilience in OECS Member States – ReliefWeb
• In a Wealthy County, Uninsured Patients Struggle with Grief and Trauma — This Therapist Helps Them Heal – Angels In Medicine
• CA Program Combats Shortage of Medical Assistants – Public News Service

The post Supporting Resilient Energy and Oxygen in Africa appeared first on Direct Relief.