×

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.

Direct Relief Strengthens Healthcare Preparedness Across Hurricane-Prone Regions Ahead of 2026 Season

Organization pre-positions emergency medical supplies and invests in resilient healthcare infrastructure across the U.S. Southeast, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean

News

Hurricanes

Direct Relief provides medical aid for mobile care in a Hurricane Milton-damaged neighborhood. The aid was delivered to Dr. Yousef Motii, who conducted medical outreach in the destroyed Spanish Lakes neighborhood in Ft. Pierce, Florida. Motii is a clinician at Oceana Health, which has been providing medical services to residents impacted by 2024's hurricanes. (Photo by Bimarian Films)
By Paul M. Sherer

Ahead of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, Direct Relief is strengthening healthcare preparedness across hurricane-prone regions through pre-positioned emergency medical supplies, resilient power infrastructure investments, and regional emergency response partnerships designed to help healthcare providers maintain continuity of care during disasters.

The announcement comes ahead of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) annual hurricane season outlook and the official June 1 start of the Atlantic hurricane season, as healthcare providers across the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean prepare for potential disruptions caused by severe weather, prolonged outages, and supply chain interruptions.

Ahead of hurricane season, Direct Relief is pre-positioning emergency medical supply stockpiles with 72 healthcare providers across the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii, and staging 14 large international stockpiles across the Caribbean. The organization used FEMA natural hazards risk data to identify areas with heightened vulnerability and expand preparedness coverage into additional coastal communities.

Direct Relief’s emergency team on the ground in Jamaica, assessing damage and delivering critical medical aid in Catherine Hall, one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa in Montego Bay. (Photos by Manuel Velez for Direct Relief)

The emergency stockpiles, known as Hurricane Preparedness Packs, contain medicines and medical supplies commonly needed following disasters, including treatments for diabetes, hypertension, asthma, infections, allergic reactions, and wound care. Each domestic stockpile is designed to support approximately 500 patients for 30 days, while larger international stockpiles can support approximately 3,000 patients over the same period.

“The most dangerous impacts of a hurricane often begin after the storm passes,” said Craig Redmond, Chief Operating Officer at Direct Relief. “When clinics lose power, supply chains are disrupted, and patients can no longer access medicines or care, communities can face a secondary health crisis that lasts for weeks or months. Preparedness means strengthening healthcare systems before disasters strike so providers can continue caring for patients throughout the emergency.”

Direct Relief also maintains regional emergency medical stockpiles across the Caribbean through partnerships with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), including supplies staged in Panama and Barbados to support rapid deployment following hurricanes and other emergencies.

After a second airlift of emergency medical aid arrived in Jamaica, Direct Relief is on the ground continuing to support communities recovering from Hurricane Melissa. The organization is meeting with partners and coordinating closely with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to ensure aid reaches health facilities with the most urgent needs, supporting both immediate response and longer-term recovery. (Photo by Bimarian Films for Direct Relief)
Direct Relief delivers medical support to health providers in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa. (Photo by Bimarian Films for Direct Relief)

That regional preparedness strategy was activated during Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica in October 2025, when pre-positioned Direct Relief emergency medical supplies staged through PAHO were deployed into affected communities following widespread infrastructure damage.

“Direct Relief’s emergency medical stockpiles have consistently proven to be a timely and effective resource for emergency response operations,” said Dr. Leonardo Hernández, Head of the Emergency Operations Unit at PAHO.

In addition to pre-positioning emergency medical supplies, Direct Relief continues investing in healthcare resilience infrastructure designed to help providers remain operational during prolonged outages and supply chain disruptions. The organization’s most recent investment includes more than $5 million to support resilient power at nine healthcare centers across the state of Florida.

Direct Relief has invested a total of $14.7 million in 39 resilient power projects supporting healthcare providers across the Southeast, Florida, and Puerto Rico. The projects include solar-plus-battery microgrids and backup power systems that help health centers maintain refrigeration for medications, operate essential medical equipment, and continue patient care during prolonged outages.

A Direct Relief staffmember surveys solar panels on the roof of a health center in Puerto Rico.
Direct Relief staff inspect a solar energy system that was installed on the roof of a U.S. health center. (Direct Relief photo)

Across the Caribbean, Direct Relief has partnered with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) on resilience projects supporting medical oxygen infrastructure, pharmaceutical refrigeration, backup power systems, and mobile medical units.

Direct Relief accepts no government funding, allowing the organization to sustain long-term preparedness and recovery efforts independently of public-sector funding cycles.

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

Giving is Good Medicine

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

Receive Alerts