×

News publications and other organizations are encouraged to reuse Direct Relief-published content for free under a Creative Commons License (Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International), given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

When republishing:

  • Include a byline with the reporter’s name and Direct Relief in the following format: "Author Name, Direct Relief." If attribution in that format is not possible, include the following language at the top of the story: "This story was originally published by Direct Relief."
  • If publishing online, please link to the original URL of the story.
  • Maintain any tagline at the bottom of the story.
  • With Direct Relief's permission, news publications can make changes such as localizing the content for a particular area, using a different headline, or shortening story text. To confirm edits are acceptable, please check with Direct Relief by clicking this link.
  • If new content is added to the original story — for example, a comment from a local official — a note with language to the effect of the following must be included: "Additional reporting by [reporter and organization]."
  • If republished stories are shared on social media, Direct Relief appreciates being tagged in the posts:
    • Twitter (@DirectRelief)
    • Facebook (@DirectRelief)
    • Instagram (@DirectRelief)

Republishing Images:

Unless stated otherwise, images shot by Direct Relief may be republished for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution, given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

  • Maintain correct caption information.
  • Credit the photographer and Direct Relief in the caption. For example: "First and Last Name / Direct Relief."
  • Do not digitally alter images.

Direct Relief often contracts with freelance photographers who usually, but not always, allow their work to be published by Direct Relief’s media partners. Contact Direct Relief for permission to use images in which Direct Relief is not credited in the caption by clicking here.

Other Requirements:

  • Do not state or imply that donations to any third-party organization support Direct Relief's work.
  • Republishers may not sell Direct Relief's content.
  • Direct Relief's work is prohibited from populating web pages designed to improve rankings on search engines or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements.
  • Advance permission is required to translate Direct Relief's stories into a language different from the original language of publication. To inquire, contact us here.
  • If Direct Relief requests a change to or removal of republished Direct Relief content from a site or on-air, the republisher must comply.

For any additional questions about republishing Direct Relief content, please email the team here.

Direct Relief Airlifts Medical Aid for Sri Lankans Affected by Prolonged Civil War

News

Humanitarian Crisis

Sri Lanka’s 26-year-long civil war ended in May 2009, leaving behind a humanitarian need for medical aid. Direct Relief has airlifted two aid consignments to Sri Narayani Hospital, a partner based in nearby Tamil Nadu, India, that has delivered the materials to camps for internally displaced people (IDP) in Sri Lanka.

Valued at almost $240,000 (wholesale), the delivery contained more than four and a half tons total of medical material aid, from analgesics and antibiotics to surgical supplies, sourced from Direct Relief’s standing inventory. FedEx donated in-kind airlift of the first provision of critically needed supplies; a second, larger provision followed.

On the day the end of the civil war was announced, Direct Relief’s Program Officer for Asia, Matt MacCalla, was visiting Sri Narayani Hospital in southern India. During MacCalla’s visit, administrators at the hospital expressed a desire to help IDP in Sri Lanka and asked if they could help facilitate a donation from Direct Relief to the IDP camps.

MacCalla and hospital representatives immediately negotiated the details and logistics of the donation to ensure that appropriate medical aid would reach the people most affected by the prolonged civil war. Hospital administrators contacted the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health and the Sri Lankan President’s office to facilitate the delivery of aid to IDP camps in the northeast.

Approximately 300,000 people have been displaced by the conflict in Sri Lanka, and more than 70,000 have been killed. After decades of fighting, resources have been depleted and infrastructure has been damaged. The prolonged violence has increased the need for humanitarian involvement while also causing many aid organizations to end operations in Sri Lanka due to staff security concerns. Along with medical aid from Direct Relief, Sri Narayani Hospital is providing food and clothes to residents of the IDP camps, many of whom are members of the Tamil minority and arrived at the camps with nothing.

Established in 2004 to provide quality healthcare to people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it, Sri Narayani Hospital and Research Center treats 350 patients a day in such specialties as pediatric medicine, general medicine, obstetrics/gynecology. The 200-bed medical facility in Tamil Nadu also provides emergency care in a 24-hour trauma unit and conducts expansive outreach and community service projects, including emergency response.

Giving is Good Medicine

You don't have to donate. That's why it's so extraordinary if you do.