Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Commits Cash Support for Direct Relief’s Emergency Response in Uganda

July 20, 2010 

A longtime supporter of Direct Relief International’s ongoing humanitarian aid and emergency response efforts, Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation has generously assigned $15,000 in emergency funding to support the organization’s response to the deadly bombings July 11 in Kampala, Uganda. The funds will help AMREF (African Medical Research and Education Foundation) in Uganda to purchase needed medical supplies in-country to assist the hundreds of injured.

On urgent request last week from AMREF’s Uganda office and the Ministry of Health, Direct Relief has provided $30,000 in cash assistance to cover the emergency medical needs of the injured, mostly soccer fans gathered to watch the World Cup final. 

Direct Relief’s International Medical Advisor Dr. Mike Marks and AMREF Country Director for Uganda Joshua Kyallo, a member of the emergency panel of Ugandan and international nongovernmental organizations convened by the Minister of Health, are collaborating on a coordinated response plan in Uganda.

Direct Relief has worked in partnership with AMREF since 1996 to bolster improved access to and quality of health services in East Africa. Founded in 1957, AMREF is a nongovernmental organization that works in 30 African countries to improve access to health care through training, projects, and consulting support.

Uganda Terror Attack: Direct Relief Responds

$30,000 Committed to Assist Medical Emergency

July 13, 2010

In response to the July 11 terrorist bombing in Kampala, Direct Relief International today made an initial cash grant of $30,000 cover emergency medical needs of victims.  The funds will be provided to AMREF’s (African Medical Research and Education Foundation) Uganda office, with which Direct Relief has long worked, in response to an urgent request from the Ministry of Health struggling to care for the mass-casualty situation caused by the bombings.

Direct Relief also is making its medical inventory available and seeking additional support from its network of healthcare company partners for specialized equipment needed for reconstructive surgeries and serious, complex injuries among survivors.  A specific needs list was developed by the Ministry of Health upon assessment of existing resources and survivors’ injuries.

Direct Relief has worked in partnership with AMREF since 1996 to bolster improved access to and quality of health services in East Africa. 

“We recognize that the larger development goals for health are often impeded by emergencies,” said Direct Relief CEO Thomas Tighe. “The people and facilities, including the AMREF team, now devoted to this crisis are the same people in facilities essential to the long-term efforts, and they need help.”

AMREF Country Director Joshua Kyallo, a member of the emergency panel of Ugandan and international nongovernmental organizations convened by the Minister of Health and Direct Relief’s International Medical Adviser, Dr. Mike Marks, are working together on a coordinated response plan from within Uganda, with regional partners, and with AMREF’s and Direct Relief’s international operations. “This support will enable us to move very quickly with the MOH on the emergency response,” AMREF’s Kyallo said.

According to news reports, 76 people were killed in bombings at restaurants and nightclubs on July 11 in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city.