About

The Mission

Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies – without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay. Learn More

Humanitarian Medical Aid

Direct Relief's assistance programs are tailored to the particular circumstances and needs of the world's most vulnerable and at-risk populations. This tradition of direct and targeted assistance, provided in a manner that respects and involves the people served, has been a hallmark of the organization since its founding in 1948 by refugee war immigrants to the U.S. Learn More
Guiding Principles
Focus Areas
History

Recognition

Direct Relief’s work earns wide recognition from independent charity evaluators, including a 100% fundraising efficiency rating from Forbes, the No. 1 spot on Charity Navigator’s list of the “10 Best Charities Everyone’s Heard Of,” and inclusion in Fast Company’s list of “the world’s most innovative nonprofits.”  >>> awards, ratings, and recognition

Finances & Policies

Direct Relief honors the generosity of its donors by following a firm policy of full transparency in all of its operations. The organization routinely reports on how donations are used and makes its financial documents (e.g., tax returns, annual reports, audits), fundraising practices, and compensation policies open to the public.

Active Emergency Responses

Direct Relief staff load critical medicines and supplies on to a helicopter in San Juan on Dec. 18, 2017. The medicines went to Health ProMed Health Center on the island of Vieques, which was hard-hit by Hurricane Maria. (Photo by Donnie Hedden for Direct Relief)

Hurricanes

Hurricane Maria

Hurricane Maria churned a devastating path through the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. As the crisis unfolds, Direct Relief is responding to those in need, focusing relief efforts on the health facilities that serve people who rely on the healthcare safety net for essential services.

Refugee Crisis

Rohingya Refugee Crisis

An unprecedented humanitarian emergency has been building as hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees have crossed the Myanmar border into neighboring Bangladesh.

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