Santa Barbara, Calif. (May, 23, 2013)—Marking the first-ever International Day to End Obstetric Fistula on May 23, Direct Relief is intensifying its decade-long efforts to prevent obstetric fistula and expand life-restoring surgical treatment for the estimated two million women – overwhelmingly in developing countries - who suffer from the devastating birth injury.

For more than ten years, Direct Relief has supported fistula repair centers throughout Africa and Asia with donations of essential medical supplies to enable fistula-repair surgeries and, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and The Fistula Foundation, created the Global Fistula Map to consolidate and publish information on fistula treatment capacity and activity worldwide and help direct resources.

Obstetric fistula is a hole in the birth canal that is caused by prolonged and obstructed labor. If untreated, a woman with obstetric fistula will experience constant and uncontrollable leakage of urine and/or feces. In addition to physical injuries, many women with fistula suffer humiliation, isolation, and stigma as a result of the smell and constant leakage. And in most cases of obstructed labor in which a fistula develops, the baby is stillborn.

Fistula was once common throughout the world, but over the last century has been virtually eradicated in Europe and North America through improved medical care.  In the United States the last fistula hospital, now the site of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, closed in 1895 because of diminishing cases.

“Two million women living with this disabling and often isolating  condition after having suffered the loss of a child is an enormous human tragedy that is hidden in plain sight because the nature of the condition and where the women live,” said Lindsey Pollaczek, Senior Program Manager for Direct Relief. “Because fistula has been virtually eliminated in the developed world for more than a century, we know it can be done everywhere, and we are working to make that a reality for all women no matter their economic situation.”

Surgical and medical supplies are a critical component of fistula care and can be expensive and difficult to obtain in areas of high need. To ensure health providers have a reliable flow of supplies to improve access to treatment, Direct Relief maintains a robust inventory of surgical and medical supplies to meet the diverse needs of fistula care providers across the world.

Having helped launch the world’s first Global Fistula Map, Direct Relief is expanding support to fistula repair centers in 15 countries based on the information gathered.  The incidence of new fistula cases and

the prevalence of the condition has traditionally been very elusive due to the stigmatizing nature of the condition itself and because it typically occurs in areas lacking basic health services and related public-health reporting.

Global data from 42 countries released on the Global Fistula Map reflects a grim future for most of the estimated two million women living with obstetric fistula worldwide and more than 50,000 women who suffer the devastating birth injury and stigmatizing physical condition each year.

The Global Fistula Map is an evolving collaborative effort developed by Direct Relief and can be found at www.GlobalFistulaMap.org. While the reported availability of surgical treatment for obstetric fistula is growing, the current capacity of most fistula treatment facilities remains limited.  Less than 10 percent of health facilities treat more than 200 women per year and nearly half of all facilities have only one or no surgeons permanently on-site. To learn more about Direct Relief’s efforts to address fistula and help spread the word, visit directrelief.org/fistula.

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Local volunteers are stepping up to help with the recent Oklahoma tornadoes that have devastated hundreds of homes, leaving thousands of people injured and displaced.

About a dozen residents from Montecito-based Casa Dorinda retirement home came to Direct Relief headquarters Tuesday afternoon to pack dental kits for people in need of basic items after the storms.

“Typically we make these packs for local, low-income families,” said Casa Dorinda Activities Assistant, Claudia Bott. “But with the recent tornadoes, it makes sense to send these to those in immediate need.”

The packs include one regular-sized toothpaste tube, two regular-sized toothbrushes, two floss boxes, and three child-sized toothbrushes all fit snugly in a plastic bag. The bags were then packed into the signature orange Direct Relief boxes and will be shipped overnight to families in need, along with other critically-needed medicines and supplies.

The volunteers worked at amazing speed down their assembly line, finishing all 250 bags within an hour.

“We may be old, but we’re pretty fast,” laughed Beatrice “Brownie” Borden, former Direct Relief board member and now resident at Casa Dorinda.

And for 100-year-old volunteer Margaret Hurley, this event was not her first time at Direct Relief. Having lived in Santa Barbara for more than 14 years, Margaret attends these events several times a year. She doesn’t let age stop her from helping others.

“I was here last year sitting in this exact same spot,” recalled Margaret. “I started if off then like I am now.”

Casa Dorinda brings volunteers to Direct Relief almost every month, providing their 300 residents an opportunity to give back to the community where many have lived for several years.

“We provide a sign-up sheet but residents are always asking to come to help,” noted Claudia as she looked around the room at the finished bags. “When you have nothing, anything helps.”

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As the wide-ranging effects of the Midwest tornadoes continue to be assessed, Direct Relief today committed an initial $100,000 and its entire $30 million stockpile of available medical inventories to support medical relief and recovery efforts in communities affected by the storms that hit Oklahoma over the last two days and that continue to threaten millions of people in the central United States.

Direct Relief is the only nonprofit licensed to distribute prescription medications in all 50 U.S. states.  In the past year alone, Direct Relief has delivered 5,000 shipments to its network of more than 1,000 nonprofit clinics and health centers nationwide, which includes a massive response effort for Superstorm Sandy. The organization runs the largest nonprofit program in the U.S. providing free medications and supplies to health centers treating low-income patients without insurance.

In the near-term, the health needs of people who lost their homes are serious, particularly for people managing chronic health conditions like diabetes, asthma, and hypertension.  These conditions can quickly become life-threatening for people without access to their medications.  Direct Relief is readying emergency relief shipments of medicines, medical supplies, personal care and hygiene items, and nutritional products to support the local nonprofit health care providers on the ground caring for the injured and sick in Oklahoma.

“Direct Relief is acutely sensitive to the needs of those who are most vulnerable in emergency situations. We are working closely with health care company supporters and partner nonprofit clinics and health centers in the affected areas that serve people who are vulnerable every day to understand what is needed and mobilize charitable resources to help address those needs,” said President and CEO, Thomas Tighe.

Since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the organization has run an extensive emergency preparedness program that pre-positions medical essentials in nonprofit clinics in disaster-prone areas of the United States. After the tornadoes that devastated Joplin, Missouri, two years ago tomorrow, Direct Relief purchased a mobile medical unit to be used to help care for people in emergencies.  The mobile medical unit will be deployed to help in Oklahoma and is equipped with Direct Relief-furnished medical supplies.

Direct Relief’s Emergency Response Team is also benefitting from extensive operational support from Palo Alto-based technology company, Palantir, which has enabled multiple streams of information to be organized, visualized, and analyzed to provide situational assessments and inform planning and response.

“The initial $100,000 commitment is being made because we understand that financial pressures hit nonprofit clinics and health centers and their patients particularly hard – they both typically have very little if any financial cushion to fall back on,” said Tighe. “If we receive additional support for these U.S. storms, the funds will be spent exclusively for this purpose.”

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Direct Relief has been reaccredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy©  (NABP©) as a Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributor © (VAWD©), through the rigorous national accreditation program developed to help secure the integrity of U.S. drug supply chain, protect public health, and ensure compliance with all national and state licensure requirements, applicable statutes and regulations, and industry-leading practices.

The California-based nonprofit organization was the first U.S. nonprofit to obtain VAWD certification in 2009.  It remains the only nonprofit licensed to distribute prescription medications in all 50 U.S. states and conducts the country’s largest nonprofit charitable medicines program.  Three U.S. states require VAWD accreditation as a condition for obtaining a state license to distribute prescription medications.

“We were pleased when Direct Relief became the only nonprofit to obtain VAWD accreditation several years ago and we are pleased to have met the heightened standards that now exist,” said Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe. “The accreditation reflects a significant, sustained investment and Direct Relief’s commitment to meeting the highest standards of care, legal and regulatory compliance, and best industry practices – the standards do not change because they are done by a nonprofit organization on a charitable basis for people unable to pay.”

Direct Relief’s programs within the U.S. include providing medications and supplies free of charge to serve low-income uninsured patients at more than 1,000 nonprofit community health centers and clinics in all 50 states as well as extensive emergency preparedness and response activities involving prescription medications and other medical material.  More than 100 healthcare companies make product donations to Direct Relief for use in the organization’s humanitarian public-health programs.

“We recognized several years ago that, within the United States, no properly licensed nonprofit mechanism existed to mobilize and provide prescription medications nationwide when emergencies occurred, which, thankfully, Direct Relief is now able to do consistently and efficiently, as during Hurricane Sandy and even now in response to the ferocious storms and tornadoes hitting the Midwest,” said Tighe.

As described on the NABP website, “VAWD accreditation plays a pivotal role in preventing counterfeit drugs from entering the United States drug supply – it helps protect the public from drugs that have been contaminated, diverted, or counterfeited. The US supply of prescription drugs is produced and delivered to patients via a complex distribution path, and VAWD accreditation helps ensure that the wholesale distribution facility operates legitimately, is licensed in good standing, and is employing security and best practices for safely distributing prescription drugs from manufacturers to pharmacies and other institutions.”

While VAWD relates to the distribution of prescription medications within the United States, Direct Relief also uses the same information systems and operating procedures in providing humanitarian assistance — including prescription medications, vaccines, and nutritional supplements, and medical supplies — to more than 70 countries worldwide on an ongoing basis and during emergencies.

“The underlying concerns about public health, patient safety, and drug supply-chain integrity that make VAWD so important in the United States exist everywhere, particularly so in many developing countries that require international assistance but have fewer resources to devote to compliance,” said Tighe.  “Direct Relief’s unique-among-nonprofits experience building systems to obtain licensure in all 50 U.S. states and VAWD accreditation is enormously helpful in our international humanitarian health work and interactions with private donors, foreign governments, and of course patients – all of whom share the same concerns.”

Among other awards and recognitions, Direct Relief received the 2011 Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation for its aggressive use of commercial technologies to speed, enhance, and bring efficiency and transparency to humanitarian health services for people in need.

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As severe storms continue across the central United States – including a two-mile-wide EF4 tornado that tore through the Oklahoma City area this afternoon – Direct Relief is in communication with more than 200 partners in the affected areas and ready to respond to urgent needs.

The Emergency Team has been in contact with Debbie Haller, development and coordinator of Community Health Centers, Inc. in Carney, Okla., where a tornado damaged multiple homes.  The U.S. team is preparing an offer of assistance for items she requested including personal care and over-the-counter items such as gloves, soap, shampoo, deodorant, sanitary napkins, diapers, wipes and formula.

Haller said the health center and staff are fine, but the power is still out. She is working with other local organizations to respond in the community.

At least 51 people have been killed in the two-mile-wide Moore, Okla. tornado that reached wind speeds of 166 to 200 mph, leveling homes, devastating an elementary school,  and injuring hundreds of residents, reports the BBC.

Direct Relief’s Emergency Team has contacted its partner, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) and is reaching out to the Oklahoma Primary Care Association in order to identify other health centers in the area.

Monday’s storms are a continuation of a massive storm front that began to hit the central United States on Sunday evening. Earlier this morning, Direct Relief reached out to more than 200 health center and clinic partners in 13 states potentially affected by fist-sized hail, severe rain and tornadoes overnight.

Email and text message alerts have been sent to partners in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. So far, a few partners have replied with messages that they will know more as damage is assessed.

The NOAA expects moderate risks of severe weather from Central Missouri to North Texas to continue today and tonight, with large hail, damaging winds and the possibility of strong isolated tornadoes.

Through use of software from technology partner Palantir, Direct Relief is able to view its health center partners under severe storm watch. This information allows Direct Relief to identify partners most in need, letting them know in advance that Direct Relief’ medical inventory is available.

As the only nonprofit licensed to distribute pharmaceuticals in all 50 states, Direct Relief is uniquely positioned to respond to medical needs during national disasters.

Direct Relief’s Emergency Team remains on high alert and is prepared to respond to requests. Please continue to follow the blog as well as Direct Relief’s Twitter feed, for the latest news as the response unfolds.

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At Direct Relief, May is for moms. Throughout the month, we will regularly honor mothers around the world who inspire us. Today’s story comes from our staffer in Haiti, Catherine Hermantin, who recently met with moms in the city of Marchand Dessalines. 

Haiti has the highest rates of infant, under-five and maternal mortality in the Western Hemisphere. But through collaboration with Management Sciences for Health’s Santé pour le Développement et la Stabilité d’Haïti (SDSH) Project, Direct Relief is working to build hope for expecting mothers and their children.

The Claire Heureuse Hospital in Marchand Dessalines is one of eight sites in Haiti that Direct Relief supports to improve maternal health care in the country. Located about 75 miles north of Port au Prince, it is one of the only hospitals in the area that is able to safely deliver babies – the next closest is an hour’s drive from the city.

Direct Relief  supports the maternity ward with equipment to upgrade emergency obstetric care centers, medications and incentive kits to encourage mothers to come to the health center for prenatal checkups, delivery, and postnatal checks. The incentive kits include sanitary pads, diapers, towels, washcloths, soap, blankets, infant clothing, personal care products and other much-needed items. The items are placed in a bucket so the mothers can use them to carry and store water.

Please click on each of the photos below and read about some of the amazing women who have safely delivered babies at the hospital and are dedicated to providing the best care for their children that they can. Some of the mothers who receive care at the hospital relocated to Marchand Dessalines from Port au Prince following the devastating 2010 earthquake, working hard to support their families despite significant losses.

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Following a string of tornadoes that hit North Texas Wednesday night, Direct Relief has reached out to 17 clinic and health center partners near the affected areas and is prepared to respond to requests for medicines and supplies.

At least 10 tornadoes touched down in the region, including an EF4 – the second-highest on the Fujita scale – that tore through the city of Granbury, killing at least six people, injuring dozens of others and leaving many displaced, according to the Forth Worth Star-Telegram.

Direct Relief staff have been in touch with Lauren Anderson, executive director of Ruth’s Place Clinic in Granbury. Anderson reported that neither their staff nor the clinic were affected by the tornado. So far they have seen one patient affected by the disaster, however they are encouraging those affected to be referred to Ruth’s Place Clinic for any medical needs.

Anderson added that the tornado damaged many of the 110 homes in the Rancho Brazos neighborhood – an area of town with many low-income residents who were living in homes built by Habitat for Humanity. Ruth’s Place Clinic focuses on providing free medical care and other services to low-income, uninsured, or under-insured families and treats many people who live in Rancho Brazos.

Through use of software from technology partner Palantir, Direct Relief is able to view its health center partners (shown in yellow) within a 50 mile radius of tornado touchdown points (shown in red). This information allows Direct Relief to prioritize outreach to partners most in need.

Please continue to follow the blog for updates on Direct Relief’s response.

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As Cyclone Mahasen moves over the Bay of Bengal toward the coast of Bangladesh and Myanmar, Direct Relief is reaching out to its health center partners located in the storm’s projected path and is preparing to respond to urgent requests.

The cyclone – which is expected to make landfall Thursday – has already brought heavy rains to Sri Lanka, causing at least seven deaths and leaving nearly 3,000 people homeless, reports The Times of India. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration  (NASA) expects the storm to reach hurricane force by Wednesday.

Through the use of software from technology partner Palantir, Direct Relief is monitoring storm tracking updates from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in relation to its local partners (shown in yellow).

Humanitarian workers are concerned about the tens of thousands of people living in low-lying refugee camps directly in the cyclone’s path. Most vulnerable are the Rohingya Muslims living in fragile camps in flood-prone areas, notes Voice of America.

During and after flooding, many people are at high risk of developing skin and eye infections, respiratory infections, diarrhea, malaria and cholera. Highly requested products following flooding events include: nutritional products, IV solutions, antibiotics, wound care, personal hygiene supplies and medicines for chronic conditions.

Please continue to follow the blog for the latest updates on emergency response efforts.

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Direct Relief Women – a group that supports Direct Relief’s programs targeting maternal and child health – raised more than $100,000 at its third annual Mother’s Day event held Thursday evening at the home of Bryan and Lisa Babcock in Montecito.

The amount raised will allow the Goleta-based humanitarian aid organization to support more than 4,000 safe births for mothers and children worldwide.

Nearly 200 people attended the event that featured special guest Scott Neeson, founder of the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF). After introductions by Direct Relief President and CEO, Thomas Tighe, and Direct Relief Women Chair, Mari Mitchel, Neeson gave a stirring presentation on the need for holistic medical care for mothers and children suffering in the slums of Cambodia.

The former President of 20^th Century Fox International told the crowd he was moved to found CCF after a trip to Phnom Penh in 2003 where he met many abandoned children as well as families living in poverty. “I left Hollywood for a Cambodian garbage dump,” he said without regret.

The organization, which provides education, nourishment, and healing to vulnerable children from some of Cambodia’s most destitute communities, runs one of the only free health care programs serving all ages in the country – treating about 100 patients a day.

Direct Relief was one of the first organizations to support CCF with donations of medical resources and today remains one of their largest in-kind partners. “We get shipments of medicine arriving at our doorstep that save lives,” said Neeson.

The special guest said he is most proud of CCF’s maternal health program, which began in early 2010 with support from Direct Relief. More than 450 mothers have gone through the program, which has a zero percent maternal mortality rate, making it one of the most successful programs of its kind in the world. “Saving even one mother is a miracle,” he told the crowd.

Following Neeson’s presentation, Andrew Firestone addressed the attendees, serving as the master of ceremonies for the Stand Up and Be Counted portion of the evening. “Far too many women are dying doing something we take for granted – giving birth.” he told the audience.

For the third consecutive year, the event was chaired by Direct Relief Women executive committee members, Kelly Walker and Kristin McWilliams.  Through education, service, and financial giving, the volunteer members of Direct Relief Women dynamically support the work of Direct Relief in creating healthy families around the world.

Guests enjoyed signature cocktail and a selection of fine wine donated by Babcock Winery and Vineyards. The event was sponsored by Alamo Self-Storage; American Riviera Bank; Appleton Associates; Babcock Winery and Vineyards; Alexandra and Joost Bongearts; Firestone Walker Brewery; Mark Mattingly, Pacifica Realty Co.; Occhiali; Stein Gardens and Gifts; and Violette Bakeshop.

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Mursal is a mother in Afghanistan who is also a neonatal nurse for American Medical Overseas Relief (AMOR), a Direct Relief partner. While this may not seem all that unusual, it is in Afghanistan – a country where women have largely been excluded from education, and even killed for attempting to seek one.

Mursal’s story is remarkable.  She didn’t let her past life in a small one-room hut, suffering frequent abuse, stop her from achieving her dream of becoming an educated, professional woman with a daughter of her own.

Many women in the Afghanistan face obstacles preventing them from achieving a basic level of education. Following decades of war, civil unrest, internal conflicts and political instability, education remains one of the must vulnerable social sectors.

Even with increased access to education, often women remain hesitant to pursue higher education because of their responsibilities at home. Earning a degree in nursing is truly a testament to Mursal’s desire for a better life and dedication to helping others.

Following her accomplishment, Mursal joined AMOR-sponsored Afshar Hospital - located just outside of Kabul – as a nurse in the new neonatal unit. Her daughter is one of the young children in the hospital’s day care center, which allows Mursal to care for very young and struggling infants.

We are grateful for mothers like Mursal who are determined to achieve more than ever thought possible. Her own daughter and the infants she cares for are fortunate to have an amazing mom and nurse like Mursal.

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