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Responding to Tropical Storm Melissa, Oxygen Needs in West Africa, and More

Direct Relief's Humanitarian Activity for the week of 10/17/2025 - 10/24/2025

News

Operational Update

Members of the Defensa Civil, the Dominican Republic’s National Emergency Management Agency, respond to impacts from Tropical Storm Melissa on Oct. 24, 2025. The organization has received medical support from Direct Relief, including field medic packs to equip first responders. (Photo by Defensa Civil)

Over the past week, Direct Relief has delivered 573 shipments of requested medical aid to 49 U.S. states and territories and 16 countries worldwide. The shipments contained 6.2 million defined daily doses of medication.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included treatments for diabetes, pain and inflammation, and bacterial infections.

Tropical Storm Melissa Gains Strength, Bringing Damage to the Caribbean

Members of the Defensa Civil, the Dominican Republic’s National Emergency Management Agency, respond to impacts from Tropical Storm Melissa on Oct. 24, 2025. The organization has received medical support from Direct Relief, including field medic packs to equip first responders. (Photo by Defensa Civil)

Tropical Storm Melissa continues to pose a major threat across the Caribbean, bringing heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and landslides to Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. Three people have been killed as a result of the storm’s impacts in Haiti, and between 10–20 inches of rain are expected in southwestern Haiti and eastern Jamaica through Monday, with 6–12 inches expected across southern Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic.

Direct Relief has shipped more than $3 million in medical support recently to Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The organization is also preparing a shipment of 100 field medic packs for the National Health Fund Jamaica, as well as 250 personal care kits with hygiene items for displaced families.

The organization will continue to monitor medical needs as the storm’s impacts become known.

Direct Relief Expands Oxygen Access in The Gambia

A new medical oxygen system is supporting health services at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul, The Gambia. The system, funded by Direct Relief, will strengthen health services in the region. (Courtesy photo)

Direct Relief’s Regional Director for Africa, Jeffrey Samuel, joined partners in The Gambia this month for the inauguration of a new medical oxygen system at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul.

The system, part of the larger AIRS project, provides reliable medical-grade oxygen and training for biomedical technicians, helping strengthen care for newborns and critically ill patients.

Leaders, including The Gambia’s First Lady, gathered this week to inaugurate the medical oxygen system at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul. The system was funded by Direct Relief. (Courtesy photo)

Government leaders, health officials, and the First Lady of the Gambia recognized Direct Relief’s ongoing support, including recent medical shipments that improved oxygen access nationwide.

Health Organizations from Across U.S. Share Learnings

Thirty-four leaders from 18 U.S. health centers and clinics gathered at Direct Relief for the culmination of a two-year program that delivered 127,000+ vaccinations and reached over 700,000 people in underserved communities. (Kim Ofilas/Direct Relief)

Direct Relief hosted a two-day learning summit at its headquarters this week for 34 leaders from 18 health centers and free clinics. The gathering marked the completion of a two-year program, in partnership with Pfizer, that delivered more than 127,000 vaccinations and reached over 700,000 people in underserved communities.

Through the Innovation Awards in Community Health: Addressing Infectious Disease in Underserved Communities, Direct Relief and Pfizer invested $4.52 million in local programs that maintained trust between providers and the communities they serve.

Summit participants shared lessons learned, discussed strategies for sustaining community-based vaccination efforts, and explored opportunities for continued collaboration.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 550 shipments containing 1.9 million doses of medication this past week to organizations, including the following:

  • Centro De Servicios Primarios de Salud Inc., Puerto Rico
  • Samaritan’s Touch Care Center, Florida
  • A Promise To HELP, Alabama
  • Asociacion Puertorriquena Pro `Bienestar De Las Familias, Profamilias, Puerto Rico
  • Compassionate Care of Shelby County, Ohio
  • Orange Blossom Family Health Center, Florida
  • Family Planning Council of Iowa, Iowa
  • CommunityHealth, Illinois
  • Minnesota Community Care, Minnesota
  • Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, Hawaii

AROUND THE WORLD

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 4.3 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 34,925 lbs., to countries including the following:

  • Ethiopia
  • Liberia
  • Ukraine
  • Tunisia
  • Cambodia
  • Peru
  • Madagascar
  • Honduras

YEAR-TO-DATE

Since January 1, 2025, Direct Relief has delivered 24.1K shipments to 2,588 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 86 countries. These shipments contained 272.4 million defined daily doses of medication, valued at $1.8 billion wholesale, totaling 3.5 million lbs.

IN THE NEWS

Direct Relief: Lebanon & Honduras — Humanitarian News Feed 

The OECS and Direct Relief Strengthen Vector Control and Surveillance in Antigua and Barbuda – iNews Cayman

Doctors Without Walls Updates Donors on Street Medicine Work — The Independent

ICM’s Midwives Data Hub a Finalist for Prestigious Anthem Award — International Confederation of Midwives

The Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul has commissioned its first medical oxygen production plant, an $8 million facility supported by Direct Relief and other partners. The plant is expected to ensure a steady supply of lifesaving oxygen and strengthen the hospital’s capacity to manage critical cases. | QTV Gambia | Facebook 

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