Over the past seven days, Direct Relief has delivered 521 shipments of requested medical aid to 44 U.S. states and territories and 15 countries worldwide.

The shipments contained 8.2 million defined daily doses of medication and supplies, including antibiotics, personal protection equipment, personal care kits and more.

Supporting Migrants from Haiti in Mexico

This week, in collaboration with Hospitalidad y Solidaridad and the International Organization for Migration, over 500 Direct Relief personal care kits were distributed to migrants in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. This initiative aims to provide vital support amid the tumultuous circumstances faced by thousands awaiting asylum processing in Tapachula.

Why It Matters:

The crisis unfolding in Tapachula underscores the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and the importance of solidarity and support for vulnerable populations. As the primary destination for many migrants fleeing violence and instability in neighboring countries, Mexico faces the challenge of providing aid and protection to those seeking refuge within its borders.

Direct Relief’s Response:

This event provides essential personal care kits, filled with hygiene items including toothpaste and shampoo, to alleviate the immediate needs of migrants, particularly from Haiti, residing in Tapachula. These kits will not only contribute to improved health and sanitation but also offer support to individuals navigating challenging circumstances.

Key Insights:

• The situation in Tapachula is indicative of broader migration trends, with Haiti surpassing Honduras as the leading source of asylum seekers in Mexico.
• Discrimination and systemic challenges persist in the asylum process, particularly for Haitian migrants who often face barriers to recognition and support.
• The testimonies of migrants highlight the dire conditions and systemic injustices driving their journeys, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions and international cooperation.

Strengthening Health Services in Culebra

As part of Direct Relief’s efforts to breach healthcare access gaps for vulnerable populations in Puerto Rico, Direct Relief staff, alongside medical staff from HealthProMed and La Fondita de Jesús, conducted a community health fair in the island municipality of Culebra on Friday, March 15. The team distributed personal care kits filled with hygiene items, solar-powered lights, and groceries to 100 people.

Historically, residents in Culebra have been isolated both physically and in terms of resources, including food, health services and transportation, among others. Located east of the main island, Culebra commonly experiences the impacts of hurricanes prior to their landfall in mainland Puerto Rico.

Health staff from La Fondita de Jesús evaluated more than 26 patients from their Direct Relief-donated mobile unit. The team also offered training on stress and anxiety management, proper use of medication, counseling on substance abuse and community development to more than 100 participants.

HealthProMed, a federally qualified health center in the area, offered blood pressure, glucose and HIV tests, health education and nutrition training to 96 registered patients. This community health fair further stressed the need to mobilize healthcare services to vulnerable and isolated communities. Many of the patients that were seen rely on maritime transportation to the main island to receive basic medical services.

At the island’s local public school, located adjacent to the health fair’s location, HealthProMed simultaneously held nutritional talks for over 60 students from elementary and middle school to promote increased physical activity, highlighting the importance of sports. Additionally, they hosted a basketball exhibition game for the students. Fundación Atención Atención also provided their Play-Time hour to foster emotion management and resilience through play for 35 children.

Bungie Bounty for Good

The Bungie Foundation, which has supported Direct Relief with several fundraising campaigns in the past, ran a four-hour live broadcast on Friday, May 22. The event showcased Bungie’s feature game, Destiny 2, and raised awareness of Direct Relief’s work. The Bungie Foundation has partnered with Direct Relief since 2015, beginning after the devastating earthquake in Nepal when the Bungie community rallied together to raise more than $1 million for the response efforts. Learn more about streaming and Direct Relief here.

Operational Snapshot

WORLDWIDE

Over the last week, Direct Relief shipped more than 6.7 million defined daily doses of medication outside the U.S.

Thirty pallets of requested medical supplies and medications departed Direct Relief’s warehouse in Santa Barbara, California, on March 19, 2024, bound for Ukraine. The shipment will be received by Ukrainian Soul and distributed to local healthcare facilities.

Countries that received medical aid over the past week included:

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 497 shipments containing over four tons of medications during the past seven days to organizations, including the following:

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 5,383 shipments to 1,324 partner organizations in 53 U.S. states and territories and 57 countries.

These shipments contained 85.2 million defined daily doses of medication totaling 1.5 million lbs.

In the News

Critical hospital supplies and insulin for children with diabetes are among requested shipments making their way through treacherous shipping routes – Angels in Medicine

AmeriCorps hosting homeless outreach in Isla Vista – KEYT