×

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.

Treating Patients Impacted by Guatemala’s Fuego Volcano, Responding to Myanmar Earthquake, and More

Direct Relief's Humanitarian Activity for the week of 05/09/2025 - 05/15/2025

News

Operational Update

Medical professionals see patients in Guatemala impacted by the active Fuego volcano. Direct Relief provided medical aid that supported six mobile medical clinics in the country, reaching 355 people in shelters and nearby towns. The most common health issues treated included skin and eye conditions, respiratory problems, and infections. (Courtesy photo)
By Staff

Over the past week, Direct Relief has delivered 780 shipments of requested medical aid to 46 U.S. states and territories and 18 countries worldwide. The shipments contained 4 million defined daily doses of medication.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included therapies for rare disease management, cancer therapies, diabetes management medications, personal protective equipment, and more.

Direct Relief CEO Visits Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics

Direct Relief CEO Amy Weaver meets with Christina Mendoza, DDS, lead dentist at the Eastside Dental Clinic, on May 14, 2025. Direct Relief delivered dental products and other medical essentials to the clinic, which is part of the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics. (Brea Burkholz/Direct Relief)

Direct Relief CEO Amy Weaver visited the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics this week, where she toured the Eastside Neighborhood Clinic and met with staff, including the Neighborhood Clinic’s CEO, Dr. Mahdi Ashrafian. Weaver and Direct Relief staff also delivered requested items, including dental products that will be distributed to patients at the dental clinic.

The Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics is a multi-site community health center providing care to 1 in 10 people in the community and has been serving the Santa Barbara area for over 52 years. Over 22,000 patients are cared for at four medical clinics, two dental clinics, a bridge clinic for substance use disorders, and health promotion services with wellness navigators.

Direct Relief has provided over $1 million worth of medical aid to the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics since 2014 and more than $470,000 in financial assistance.

Medical Aid Continues to Arrive in Myanmar, Post-Earthquake

Direct Relief-donated medications arrived in Myanmar to support earthquake response efforts. (CPI photo)

As part of Direct Relief’s ongoing response to the destructive earthquake that impacted Myanmar in March, an emergency shipment recently reached Community Partners International, or CPI, a Direct Relief partner providing critical aid to communities on the ground.

The shipment included antibiotics, diabetes medications, diagnostic supplies, hygiene items, oral rehydration salts, and field medic packs to equip CPI’s mobile medical teams operating in some of the hardest-hit areas.

This delivery follows a $50,000 emergency support grant to CPI for local search and rescue efforts and mobile health programming in the earthquake’s aftermath.

Responding to the Fuego Volcano in Guatemala

After major eruptions displaced over 1,000 people in Guatemala, Fundación Margarita Valiente, in coordination with Direct Relief and Caritas Guatemala, distributed medical supplies and 36 field medic packs to health professionals serving affected communities. (Courtesy photo)

On March 10, 2025, Volcán del Fuego—one of Central America’s most active volcanoes—erupted just 33 miles from Guatemala City, affecting over 30,000 people and displacing more than 900 families. The eruption caused widespread health issues, including burns, respiratory complications, infections, and malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable Indigenous communities.

In response, Direct Relief partnered with Fundación Margarita Valiente, or FMV, a Guatemalan nonprofit focused on supporting Indigenous communities, to provide field medic packs, essential medicines, N95 masks, and other critical supplies. The packs were rapidly deployed to medical teams treating patients in shelters, homes, and mobile pop-up clinics, enabling them to reach individuals in hard-to-access areas, including those unable or unwilling to evacuate.

Using Direct Relief’s donated supplies, FMV organized six health fairs at the two main shelters to address urgent needs. This support helped extend care to those most affected and further expanded access in communities with limited or no access to traditional health services.

Fundación Margarita Valiente, in coordination with Direct Relief and Caritas Guatemala, distributed medical supplies and 36 field medic packs to health professionals serving affected communities. (Courtesy photo)

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 746 shipments containing 2 million doses of medication during the past month to organizations, including the following:

  • Welvista, South Carolina
  • NCMedAssist, North Carolina
  • St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy, Dallas, Texas
  • Community Health, Illinois
  • Lifecycles Health Services, New Jersey
  • Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic Pharmacy, Virginia
  • Volunteers in Medicine, Hilton Head, South Carolina
  • Compassionate Care of Shelby County, Ohio

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 1.9 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 57,469 lbs., to countries including the following:

  • Guatemala
  • Sudan
  • Tajikistan
  • The Gambia
  • Morocco
  • Sierra Leone
  • Peru
  • Djibouti

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 11.1K shipments to 1,902 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 78 countries. These shipments included 104.1 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $921.1 million wholesale, totaling 1.8 million lbs.

Filed Under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Giving is Good Medicine

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