As Direct Relief continues its response efforts to people affected by severe weather across the southeastern U.S., FedEx has donated increased shipping capability to ensure shipments of emergency medical supplies are delivered quickly to the health clinics and shelters that have requested aid.
With the help of FedEx and their donation to cover all shipping costs for relief aid, Direct Relief has made eight shipments of medical aid weighing 6,888 pounds to partners in the South over the past several days.The deliveries include medication to treat chronic diseases, over-the-counter products, personal care items, first aid kits, blood pressure monitors, and diabetes management supplies to clinics serving thousands of displaced people.
Because of its ongoing response efforts to the largest recorded tornado outbreak in U.S. history, Direct Relief was recognized as a Featured Charity for U.S. Tornado Disaster Relief by Charity Navigator.
“We are grateful to Direct Relief for their medical relief efforts across the region and are proud of them for being recognized by Charity Navigator as a Featured Charity for U.S. Tornado Disaster Relief,” said Stephanie Butler, Manager of Corporate Contributions at FedEx. “For more than sixteen years we have worked with Direct Relief to bring critically needed medicines and supplies to local healthcare providers worldwide, and are glad to be able to donate full transportation and logistics support to them as they assist communities where so many of our team members and their loved ones live and work.”
Damon Taugher, Director of Direct Relief USA, stated: “As our partners on the ground continue to respond to this awful tragedy, we are thankful to all of our donor companies who contribute medical resources for recovery efforts. FedEx’s offer to cover all shipping costs of medicines and supplies to help people who are displaced and have suffered tremendous loss is another reason we are grateful of our long-term relationship.”
Direct Relief is continuing its response efforts. This week Direct Relief offered emergency assistance to more than 200 clinic and health center partners in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee, describing resources offered by Direct Relief’s donor companies. Multiple clinics responded with updates on their respective relief efforts and identified additional products that would be useful in helping them care for their patients.
Partners working with Direct Relief or receiving medical aid for people in need are:
- Etowah Free Community Clinic, Gadsden, AL
- American Diabetes Association, Birmingham, AL
- City Action Partnership, Birmingham AL
- Whatley Health Services, Inc, Tuscaloosa, AL
- Good Samaritan Health Clinic, Cullman, AL
- Corning Area Health Center, Pocahontas Family Medical Center, Pocahontas, AR
- Dade County Sheriff’s Office, Trenton, GA
- Community Health and Emergency Services in Cairo, IL
- Semo Health Network, Sikeston, MO
- Conway Interfaith Clinic, Conway, AR
Direct Relief is the only nonprofit organization licensed to distribute prescription medications in all 50 states and maintains an ongoing support program with more than 1,000 nonprofit clinics and health centers across the country, including 168 facilities in the six states affected by recent tornadoes.