Research and Insights
- Most people (53%) in the U.S. expect natural disasters to get worse where they live, but are largely unprepared for them, according to a new survey commissioned by Direct Relief. Read a comprehensive overview of the results.
- Much of the U.S. – far beyond any active fire perimeter – faced at least seven days of heavy wildfire smoke in 2020 and 2021, Direct Relief’s Research and Analysis team found. Explore the numbers.
What’s New
- Pakistan has endured an extreme and unprecedented monsoon season, leading to more than 1,000 deaths and causing widespread destruction of homes and public infrastructure.
- Six months after the Ukraine war began, Direct Relief has provided more than 890 tons of medical support and $15 million in cash assistance.
- In the wake of devastating tragedies such as mass shootings, health centers step up to meet increased community needs. Direct Relief supported a Uvalde, Texas health center with a $120,000 grant.
Top Stories
Flooding in Pakistan
The situation: Catastrophic flooding in Pakistan has affected roughly 15% of the country’s population (33 million people), sparking widespread devastation, mass evacuations, and a dire need for basic resources, including medication and medical items.
The response: Direct Relief is preparing a shipment of insulin, in coordination with Life for a Child, for distribution to 10 hospitals and healthcare facilities in Pakistan.
The impact: The shipment from Direct Relief contains enough long-acting insulin for 3,773 children and young adults under the age of 25 living with Type 1 Diabetes.
Direct Relief is also helping to inform response efforts by working with the World Food Program to analyze population movements and assess where evacuations have taken place and where aid may be needed.
For Ukraine’s War, A Large-Scale, Multipronged Response
The situation: Six months of war in Ukraine has caused the deaths of thousands, injured untold numbers more, and displaced millions from their homes and country.
The response: Direct Relief, as a recognized international partner of Ukraine’s Ministry of Health, is continuing its scaled-up response along the two parallel tracks of supporting those affected by war in Ukraine and those forced to flee their homes to neighboring countries. The organization has shipped more than 890 tons of medical aid, provided above $15 million in funding, and supported more than 400 hospitals and clinics working to treat those affected by war.
Looking forward: The organization will focus on strengthening access to primary health care, bolstering rehabilitation services for people who have been injured, and addressing mental health and psychological support for both health care providers and the general population.
In the Wake of Tragedy, Health Centers Support Their Communities
The situation: In Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas, recent mass shootings have left dozens dead and injured, and shaken entire communities. “It just ripped the soul out of us,” said a Buffalo provider.
The response: Community health centers in both cities stepped up to provide mental health services, pharmacy deliveries, and other essential care in the wake of the tragedies. In addition, both have taken steps to prepare for long-term community needs, such as preparing to set up a new, school-based clinic and working with government officials to address historic issues. Direct Relief provided the Uvalde health center, Community Health Development, Inc., with a $120,000 grant to help with increased operational costs.
The impact: Leaders at both health centers intend to not only meet their patients where they are, but improve their health overall by working to address the social circumstances that affect health and health outcomes.
In Brief
The United States
- Education sessions on medical Spanish and culturally appropriate care are helping providers better serve Spanish-speaking patients.
- Three $50,000 awards have gone to organizations working to overcome barriers to reproductive health care in underserved communities, through creative programs.
Around the World
- When 10 miners were trapped in Mexico after a collapse, Direct Relief and the Foreign Ministry of Mexico coordinated the delivery of nearly a ton of personal items and 11 field medic packs to the rescue efforts.
- A Direct Relief-supported Polish nonprofit is creating birth kits designed to support pregnant women in Ukraine.
In the News
- BD, Direct Relief and National Association of Community Health Centers Advance Health Equity in the US with $1 Million Grant – BD News: This year’s awardees will receive a grant for $270,000 each to build upon the demonstrated impact their novel care approaches have on at-risk populations.
- Direct Relief Provides Emergency Preparedness Tips – Action News 5: Thomas Tighe, President & CEO of Direct Relief, joined Action News 5′s Andrew Douglas to share how the non-profit humanitarian organization is scaling up operations while urging people to prepare for these extreme situations.
- Direct Relief Delivers Seven-Week Supply of Long-Acting Insulin to Ukraine, Donated by Lilly – Yahoo! News: Responding to a call for assistance from Ukraine’s Ministry of Health, Direct Relief has secured and delivered to Ukraine enough long-acting insulin to meet the country’s estimated need for seven-plus weeks.
- Vanguard Charitable Forecasts Another Record Giving Year – Nonprofit Pro: Overall, the top nonprofits supported were Doctors Without Borders, World Central Kitchen, International Rescue Committee, Direct Relief, and UNICEF.
