×

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.

Caribbean Braces for Hurricane Maria as Response Continues in Irma Aftermath

News

Hurricane Maria

By Lara Cooper
Click the image above to see Direct Relief’s live updating hurricane map, which details the path of the storm and Direct Relief’s partner facilities.

After weathering Hurricane Irma just days ago, residents in the Caribbean are bracing for yet another potentially destructive threat gathering strength in the Atlantic.

Hurricane Maria has intensified to a Category 3 storm and is expected to gain strength to a Category 4 before making landfall in Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Maria’s first landfall is expected to occur Monday night on the islands of Dominica and Martinique.

The U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, and St. Lucia are also under hurricane warnings.

Maria is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 6 to 12 inches, with isolated areas getting as much as 20 inches across the central and southern Leeward Islands, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands through Wednesday night, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Puerto Rico may receive even more rain, with some areas expecting more than 25 inches.

Rain is also expected for the northern Leeward Islands from Barbuda to Anguilla, eastern portions of the Dominican Republic, as well as the Windward Islands and Barbados.

“Rainfall on all of these islands could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides,” the center said.

Hurricane Irma’s path steered north of Puerto Rico, largely leaving the island unscathed. Many sought medical care there, after surrounding Caribbean islands were devastated by the storm, and as many as 2,000 people are being triaged and their health evaluated.

Puerto Rico is expecting a surge in medical needs associated with the care of these patients, even as they brace for Maria’s landfall.

On Monday, Puerto Rico’s Governor Ricardo Rossello issued mandatory evacuations for portions of the island, and 450 shelters were slated to open Monday afternoon to receive residents.

Direct Relief has been coordinating with the Puerto Rico Department of Health, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response regarding emergency response in the aftermath of Irma. Direct Relief is currently working with contacts at the country’s emergency operations center to gather a list of needs.

The two municipal islands of Culebras and Vieques, located to the east of Puerto Rico, were affected by Hurricane Irma, and four shipments, including anitbiotics, wound care and other medical supplies, are scheduled to leave for these municipalities Tuesday.

Multiple shipments of medical aid have gone out to those impacted by Hurricane Irma, including St. Maarten, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Direct Relief has also received requests for medical aid from two medical distributions centers that will be a hub for donations going to medical clinics. Over the past weekend, Direct Relief received one request for medical aid. The shipment is scheduled to depart this week.

The need for dialysis care in the country is also significant. Puerto Rico is currently caring for about 120 dialysis patients from other parts of the Caribbean that are currently being housed in hotels but will likely be placed in special needs shelters and will require long-term care.

Direct Relief is in contact with physicians caring for many of those patients and working on a needs list for insulin and other required medications.

Filed Under: , , ,

Giving is Good Medicine

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