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Emergency Supplies Depart Ahead of Major U.S. Winter Storm

Direct Relief's Humanitarian Activity for the week of 01/16/2026 - 01/23/2026

News

Operational Update

Field medic packs for first responders and hygiene items for displaced people departed Direct Relief’s warehouse on Jan. 23, 2026, in preparation for a major winter storm. The shipment will be delivered to Harris County, Texas, and Mobile Medical Care in Maryland. (Tori Gordon/Direct Relief)
By Tori Gordon

Over the past week, Direct Relief has delivered 355 shipments of requested medical aid to 42 U.S. states and territories and 20 countries worldwide. The shipments contained 18 million defined daily doses of medication

Medications and supplies shipped this week included treatments for chronic conditions, oncology and specialty therapies, protective equipment, and more.

Medical Aid Shipped as U.S. Braces for Winter Weather

A powerful winter storm is forecast to impact a large portion of the U.S., bringing heavy snow, freezing rain, and dangerously cold temperatures from the Southern Plains through the Midwest and into parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Winter storm watches are in effect across more than 30 states, and several states have issued emergency declarations to support preparedness and response efforts.

The storm may create dangerous travel conditions and widespread power outages, which can disrupt access to heating, medical equipment, and essential services—especially for vulnerable populations.

On Friday, medical support departed for health providers in Texas and Maryland as they braced for storm impacts. Personal care products, including soap, shampoo, and dental supplies, departed to support potential shelter needs in Harris County, Texas. Field medic packs, which contain emergency medical supplies for triage care, were also shipped to Texas, as well as Mobile Medical Care in Maryland.

Direct Relief is also in communication with the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics and the National Association of Community Health Centers, both of which are engaging their member clinics and state primary care associations and sharing information on available Direct Relief resources to support local response efforts. Direct Relief has also been in communication with the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and North Carolina Emergency Management.

Given the potential for widespread and prolonged impacts, Direct Relief will continue to respond to medical needs as they become known.

Medical Aid Shipment Departs for Ukraine

Emergency medical aid departs Direct Relief’s warehouse, including essential medications and clinical supplies to support partners in Ukraine. (Shannon Hickerson/Direct Relief)

This week, multiple shipments of essential medical aid departed for local organizations in Ukraine supporting health services in the country.

The shipments included medications for chronic disease management, mental health, and infectious disease treatment. These essential medications and supplies will equip health workers and support patient care amid continued disruptions to healthcare access

Monitoring Flooding and Public Health Risks in Mozambique

Widespread flooding has impacted South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, as pictured here. (EMIDIO JOZINE / AFPTV / AFP)

Severe storms and weeks of torrential rainfall have caused widespread flooding across southern Africa, particularly in Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. As of January 20, more than 200 deaths have been reported, and hundreds of thousands have been affected or displaced — including over 350,000 in Mozambique alone. Flooding has damaged homes and infrastructure, disrupting health services.

These conditions are increasing public health risks, including the potential for waterborne disease outbreaks such as cholera, with displaced communities most at risk. Continued rainfall and infrastructure damage are complicating response efforts and are expected to extend recovery timelines, including in areas still recovering from significant flooding in 2025.

Direct Relief is in communication with the International Organization for Migration Mozambique about potential medical needs. Direct Relief will continue monitoring the situation across Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The organization has responded to emergencies in the region in the past, including flooding and storm damage in Mozambique following Cyclone Idai in 2019.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 299 shipments containing 564,457 million doses of medication this past week to organizations, including the following:

  • The Agape Clinic, Texas
  • Union Gospel Mission of Yakima, Washington
  • Morton Comprehensive Health Services, Oklahoma
  • Jefferson Comprehensive Health Center, Inc., Mississippi
  • Open Arms Health Clinic, Texas
  • Franklin County Community Care, Texas
  • Community Health of East Tennessee, Tennessee
  • Findley Foundation Inc., dba Findley Medical Clinic, Wisconsin
  • TJ Bell Family Health Center Pharmacy, South Carolina
  • Fetter Health Care Network, South Carolina

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 17.5 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 93,817 lbs., to countries including the following:

  • Ukraine
  • Ethiopia
  • Liberia
  • India
  • Pakistan
  • Haiti
  • Sudan
  • Honduras

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