×

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.

Medical Aid Departs for 20 Countries as Storm Response Continues in Hawai‘i, Midwest

Direct Relief's Humanitarian Activity for the week of 03/13/2026 - 03/20/2026

News

Operational Update

A woman stands outdoors, smiling while holding a small dog and kit of personal care items from Direct Relief. She is dressed in a black tank top and a black skirt.
Direct Relief-donated personal care supplies and solar chargers reached people impacted by recent storms, thanks to distribution efforts from the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawai‘i. (Photo courtesy of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawai‘i)
By Tori Gordon

Over the past week, Direct Relief has delivered 635 shipments of requested medical aid to 46 U.S. states and territories and 20 countries worldwide. The shipments contained 12.3 million defined daily doses of medication.

Medications and supplies shipped this week included specialty therapies, antibiotics, reproductive health medications, diabetes management supplies, and more.

Direct Relief Support Reaches Communities in Hawai‘i, Post-Storm

A man in Hawai'i smiling and holding gray Direct Relief hygiene kits outdoors following a Kona storm.
Two people in Hawai'i smiling and holding gray Direct Relief hygiene kits outdoors following a Kona storm.

Severe weather continues to affect parts of Hawai‘i following a multi-day Kona storm that brought heavy rain, flooding, and high winds to several islands earlier this week. While conditions have begun to stabilize in some areas, communities are still dealing with storm-related disruptions, including localized flooding and power outages.

Direct Relief is expediting a shipment of personal care items and chronic disease management supplies to the Hawai‘i State Department of Health’s Maui District Health Office for distribution to communities affected by the storms.

The shipment builds on earlier support provided to local partners across Hawai‘i in recent weeks, including community distributions through the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawai‘i to reach those impacted by extreme weather, including displaced and unhoused people.

Direct Relief remains in communication with healthcare providers and local partners across the islands and filling additional requests for medical aid.

Direct Relief has provided more than $6.8 million in medical aid to health organizations in Hawai‘i, including more than 1.6 million defined daily doses of medication since 2009.

Emergency Supplies Dispatched to Midwest Health Centers Following Tornado Damage

Workers in high-visibility vests loading orange Direct Relief emergency boxes into a transport vehicle to support tornado relief efforts in Kankakee, Illinois.
On March 16, personal care products for displaced people were shipped to Community Health Partnership of Illinois in Kankakee after an EF-3 tornado struck the town, resulting in one death and destroying at least 30 homes. (Shannon Hickerson/ Direct Relief)

Earlier this month, an EF-3 tornado struck Kankakee, Illinois, damaging homes and disrupting services in the surrounding community. The storm was part of a broader system that brought severe weather across several Midwestern states, including heavy snow, strong winds, and freezing conditions.

Earlier this week, Direct Relief shipped personal care items to the Community Health Partnership of Illinois in Kankakee for distribution to people displaced by the storms. Twenty field medic packs, filled with medical essentials to equip first responders, are among the supplies being dispatched to HealthLinc Community Health Center in Valparaiso, Indiana, to support response efforts following the recent tornadoes.

Direct Relief continues coordinating with healthcare providers and partner organizations across the region to assess needs following the storms.

Direct Relief Supports Esperanza Health Center Community Event in Chicago

A group of Esperanza Health Centers staff members standing behind a table lined with blue distribution bags at a community outreach event in Chicago.
Esperanza Health Centers distributes food and hygiene supplies to families during a community outreach event at its Brighton Park North Campus in Chicago. Hygiene products were provided by Direct Relief. (Photo courtesy of Esperanza Health Centers.)

Esperanza Health Centers recently hosted a community outreach event at its Brighton Park North Campus in Chicago, connecting local families with food resources, hygiene supplies, and healthcare support services. The event aimed to provide essential items and information to community members while strengthening connections to local health resources.

Direct Relief supported the effort by providing personal care items that were included in 200 distribution bags containing items such as shampoo, toothpaste, and other products. Esperanza Health Centers’ Community Engagement team distributed the supplies alongside food assistance, with a goal of reaching more than 300 families during the event.

Patient Benefit Navigators were also on-site to help individuals better understand and access their healthcare coverage and other available services. Direct Relief has provided more than $1 million in medical aid to Esperanza Health Centers since 2015.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 575 shipments containing 2.9 million doses of medication this past week to organizations, including the following:

  • Welvista, South Carolina
  • St. Vincent De Paul Pharmacy- Dallas, Texas
  • Morton Comprehensive Health Services, Oklahoma
  • Urban Ministries of Wake County, North Carolina
  • Community Health, Illinois
  • Community Health of East Tennessee, Tennessee
  • Grace Medical Home Inc., Florida
  • Bethesda Community Clinic, Georgia
  • Northwest Michigan Health Services, Inc., Michigan
  • Volunteers in Medicine Clinic, Florida

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 9.4 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 90,295 lbs., to countries including the following:

  • Ukraine
  • Mexico
  • Haiti
  • Kenya
  • Honduras
  • Pakistan
  • Ghana
  • India

Year-To-Date

Since January 1, 2026, Direct Relief has delivered 4,937 shipments to 1,499 partner organizations in 53 U.S. states and territories and 54 countries. These shipments contained 76.2 million defined daily doses of medication valued at $406.6 million (wholesale) and totaled 769,111 lbs.

In the News

Gaucho Soccer to Kick Off 60th Anniversary Celebration with Revitalized Community Shield Game, April 18 – University of California, Santa Barbara

Healthcare Network to Conduct Emergency Preparedness Exercise at Nichols Community Health Center – Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report

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

Giving is Good Medicine

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

Receive Alerts