Over the past seven days, Direct Relief has delivered 575 shipments of requested medical aid to 47 U.S. states and territories and 13 countries worldwide.
The shipments contained 7.2 million defined daily doses of medication and supplies, including personal care products, breast pumps, surgical materials, vitamins, and more.
Medical Aid Arrives in Sudan
Direct Relief continues to respond in Sudan as the civil war has impacted healthcare facilities and infrastructure, leading to protracted shortages of medicines and medical supplies.
Recently, a Direct Relief-supported organization, MedGlobal, distributed shipments of donated supplies, including oral rehydration salts, to local healthcare providers.
Since the civil war started in April 2023, Direct Relief has sent more than 37 tons of requested medicines and medical supplies, including prenatal vitamins, surgical materials, insulin, and personal care items, amounting to $8.7 million in wholesale value.
Direct Relief has been coordinating with the Federal Ministry of Health, World Food Programme, Sudanese Children’s Diabetes Association, International Society of Better Health Access, International Organization for Migration, International Society of Nephrology, and MedGlobal.
Direct Relief will continue to respond as needed.
Equipping Volunteer Firefighters in Mexico
Two weeks ago, Direct Relief delivered 10 field medic packs to local emergency response agencies in Oaxaca, Mexico, including the Comision Nacional de Emergencia, A.C., local firefighters and Protección Civil personnel.
This week, the packs were used by local forestry brigades for the treatment of injuries as the crews fought forest fires in Oaxaca. There are currently six active fires in the state at various levels of containment. Five volunteers have died in the efforts to contain the fires.
Mexico is currently experiencing a severe drought that is affecting its southern states. While states in northern Mexico are receiving significant rainfall due to the El Niño climate pattern, states in southern Mexico are seeing far lower levels of rain and higher frequency of fires in the mountainous regions of the country.
Direct Relief Signs Agreement with IOM
Direct Relief staff met with representatives of the International Office of Migration in Washington, D.C., this week to sign a memorandum of understanding to streamline and expand aid delivery globally to migrant communities.
Beyond immediate relief efforts, the partnership will strengthen emergency preparedness and response activities, including the stockpile and pre-position medical supplies in collaboration with IOM host countries.
“Our partnership with Direct Relief opens doors to resources that are vital for delivering urgent medicines and supplies to those in need, particularly in moments of crisis,” said Ugochi Daniels, IOM’s Deputy Director General for Operations. Central to this landmark partnership is the provision of medicines, medical equipment, and healthcare supplies. This critical assistance will strengthen IOM’s capacity to respond swiftly to the acute health needs of migrants and mobile populations during humanitarian and public health emergencies.
“Direct Relief is so pleased to join in partnership with IOM to help address the tremendous humanitarian health needs that exist among the world’s migrants and the communities that host them,” said Thomas Tighe, Chief Executive Officer of Direct Relief. “Private, philanthropic resources have always been an important part of the humanitarian assistance efforts for migrants, and we look forward to extending a broader invitation to participate — in a productive, efficient manner through coordination with IOM, which will optimize all available resources and best serve people in need.”
To read the full announcement, click here.
Monitoring Texas Wildfires
Five active fires are currently impacting the Texas Panhandle, north of Amarillo. As of February 29, the Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned a total of 1,078,807 acres (3% contained), making it the largest fire in the state’s history and second largest in U.S. history. The fire is threatening to converge with the Windy Deuce Fire to the southwest, putting the town of Borger, which currently sits in between the two fires, at extremely high risk.
Direct Relief’s Research and Analysis team is monitoring and mapping the real-time mobility of those displaced by the fire, social vulnerabilities, and power outage impacts. Click the image to view the updated map here:
Operational Snapshot
WORLDWIDE
Over the last week, Direct Relief shipped more than 5.9 million defined daily doses of medication outside the U.S.
Countries that received medical aid over the past week included:
- Sudan
- India
- Ukraine
- Lebanon
- Sierra Leone
- Armenia
- Dominican Republic
- Pakistan
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
UNITED STATES
Direct Relief delivered 527 shipments containing over 3 tons of medications during the past seven days to organizations, including the following:
- Palmetto Health Council, Inc., Georgia
- Street Outreach Teams, Michigan
- Jefferson Comprehensive Health Center, Inc., Mississippi
- Cove House Free Clinic, Texas
- Greater Texoma Health Clinic, Texas
- Northwest Michigan Health Services, Inc., Michigan
- NC MedAssist, North Carolina
- First Baptist Medical/Dental Clinic, Mississippi
- Santa Clara County Better Health Pharmacy, California
- St. Vincent’s Hope Clinic, Texas
YEAR TO DATE
Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 3,963 shipments to 1,206 partner organizations in 53 U.S. states and territories and 51 countries.
These shipments contained 64.9 million defined daily doses of medication totaling 1.2 million lbs.
In the News
Better Health Support for People in Crisis Situations Under Direct Relief Agreement – IOM
‘Fortnite’ Raises $144 Million for Ukraine Aid Over Two-Week Span – Aol.com
The Annual Guardian Games Cup Returns – Bungie
BU Theatre Department Puts on ‘Three Sisters’ Play – Binghamton University Pipe Dream
Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity Awards $7 Million to 38 Organizations Across the U.S. – 3BL
