Two years ago, Hurricane Sandy – the largest Atlantic hurricane on record – hit the Caribbean nations of Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba before making its way up the mid-Atlantic region of the United States with powerful winds, driving rain, and high storm surges.

“That Direct Relief was able to get aid to us within 48 hours [of Hurricane Sandy] was absolutely amazing.” – Lorraine Leong, Director of External Affairs, Ryan-NENA Community Health Center, New York City

More than 100 people died, thousands of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed, and tens of thousands of people were displaced. Many were left without heat, electricity, and water.

With generous support from individuals and private resources, Direct Relief responded to the needs of people affected by supporting safety net health centers and clinics that treat those who are most vulnerable in their communities – people who have the least cushion to bounce back from losses after emergencies.

Thanks to your support, during the last two years Direct Relief has provided:

• 89 emergency shipments to 35 partner health facilities in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania
• More than $2.2 million (wholesale) worth of medicines and supplies, including: antibiotics, nutritionals, personal care products, vaccines, and chronic care medications
• 1,500 personal care packs filled with basic hygiene supplies for families in need
• 25 Emergency Medical Packs to equip the Point Breeze Volunteer Fire Department + $10,000 to rebuild their fire house
• More than $2 million in cash grants to 28 community organizations to help improve long-term recovery efforts – $1.5 million of which was funded by the Sandy Safety Net Fund, a joint initiative between Direct Relief and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)  *details below
• Assistance to help purchase a mobile medical unit for Care for the Homeless in New York City

Beyond Sandy:

The people most vulnerable before and during an emergency are most vulnerable after recovery, which is why Direct Relief remains connected daily to its partners caring for people who otherwise would not have access and provides them with free medicines and supplies. In doing so, this channel of support enables facilities to be better equipped to respond to the next emergency that arises.

To continue assisting partners affected by Hurricane Sandy, in the upcoming months Direct Relief will carry out several initiatives:

• Provide 120 Emergency Medical Packs to health centers in New York and New Jersey with mobile medical units. Similar to the Medical Reserve Corps pack program, these backpacks include the most critical items for emergency medicine in a ‘grab and go’ pack and will boost a center’s capacity to respond to future disasters
• Develop a larger, stronger network of community health centers and clinics as well as form deeper ties with state primary care associations, emergency response agencies, and other humanitarian networks in order to heighten preparedness
• Expand strategic relief work with technology company, Palantir to help aid organizations utilize Palantir technology to focus assistance where it is needed most before, during, and after emergencies

The following health centers received funding assistance through the Hurricane Sandy Safety Net Fund:

• APICHA Community Health Center
• Beacon Christian Community Health Center
• Betances Health Center
• Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
• Care for the Homeless
• Community Health Center Of Richmond Inc
• Eric B. Chandler Health Center
• Floating Hospital, Inc.
• Hudson River HealthCare, Inc.
• ICL HealthCare Choices, Inc.
• Institute for Family Health
• Jewish Renaissance Medical Center
• Joseph P Addabbo Family Health Center
• Lakewood Resource and Referral Center (LRRC)
• Monmouth Family Health Center Inc
• Morris Heights Health Center
• Neighborhood Health Services Corporation
• Newark Community Health Centers, Inc.
• North Hudson Community Action Corporation
• NuHealth Family Health Centers
• Open Door Family Medical Center, Inc
• Project H.O.P.E., Inc.
• Refuah Health Center
• VNACJ Community Health Center, Inc.
• William F. Ryan Community Health Center, Inc.
• Zufall Health Center

The following health centers received additional assistance from Direct Relief:

• Care for the Homeless
• Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center
• Point Breeze Volunteer Fire Department
• YES Community and Counseling Center
• Community Health Care Association of New York State
• New Jersey Primary Care Association