By Maeve O’Connor
Over the past seven days, Direct Relief has delivered 256 shipments of requested medical aid to 35 U.S. states and territories and fourteen countries worldwide.
The shipments contained 13.1 million defined daily doses of medication, including antibiotics, surgical supplies, PPE, prenatal vitamins, and more.
equipping local search and rescue
A specialized vehicle for Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue was purchased by Direct Relief for use during emergency response and rescue efforts. Direct Relief is launching a fund to ensure search and rescue groups across the state, most of whom are volunteer and pay for their own equipment, have what they need to respond to future emergencies.
Read more about the fund established by Direct Relief to support search and rescue efforts.
Emergency supply preparation
This week, community volunteers and Direct Relief staff assembled 5,000 personal care packs at Direct Relief’s warehouse in Santa Barbara, California. The packs contain soap, hygiene products, and more, and were assembled in preparation for future emergencies.
Material Support for Ukraine
Earlier this week, Charity Fund Modern Village and Town delivered medicines to the Center of Pediatric Cardiology in Kyiv. These products, donated by Direct Relief, will be used to treat both children and adults with severe heart issues.
Since Feb. 24, 2022, Direct Relief has provided medical aid to Ukraine weighing more than 2.4 million pounds, or 1,200 tons, with more on the way.
OPERATIONAL SNAPSHOT
WORLDWIDE
This week, Direct Relief shipped 12.1 million defined daily dosesâ¯of medication outside the U.S.
Countries that received medical aid over the past week included:
- Ukraine
- Malawi
- Uganda
- Liberia
- Colombia
- Guatemala
- Sierra Leone
- Armenia
UNITED STATES
Direct Relief deliveredâ¯237 shipments containing 910,028 doses of medicationsâ¯over the past week to organizations, including the following:
- Welvista, South Carolina
- Community Health & Emergency Services, Inc, Illinois
- Agape Clinic, Texas
- Health Care Center For The Homeless DBA Orange Blossom Family Health Center, Florida
- Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition, Virginia
- Marjorie Wilson, Idaho
- Phoenix Allies for Community Health, Arizona
- Mission Arlington Medical Clinic, Texas
- Program for Health Care to Underserved Populations Birmingham Free Clinic, Pennsylvania
YEAR-TO-DATE (GLOBAL)
Since Jan. 1, 2023, Direct Relief has delivered 1,100 shipments to 701 healthcare providers in 50 U.S. states and territories and 28 countries.
These shipments contained 27.5 million defined daily doses of medication valued at $83.5 million (wholesale), totaling 489,348 lbs.
in the news
- How to help victims of California’s storms – PBS News Hour: “In Santa Barbara County, Thomas Tighe, the CEO of Direct Relief, one of the world’s largest nonprofit donors of medications and health supplies, said he is thankful that the latest natural disaster to hit California hasn’t strained medical resources. Instead, his organization has been able to shift its priorities, including financing the purchase of a $350,000 high-water rescue vehicle, which will serve in the Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura tri-county area, as well as directly funding local cleanup and recovery operations, including the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade.”
- New disaster recover centers opening in Santa Barbara County – KCLU: “Two disaster recovery centers are opening this weekend in Santa Barbara County to help people hard hit by the January 9th storm. One of the centers will be at the offices of the non-profit agency Direct Relief in Santa Barbara, and the other will be at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. They will open at noon on Saturday.”
- Lilly Supports Direct Relief’s Efforts To Expand Access to Medicines by Improving Cold Chain Capacity – Yahoo! Finance: “Eli Lilly and Company and Direct Relief today announced a new initiative to expand access to medicines in low- and middle-income countries by boosting cold chain capacity in 17 countries.”
