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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:

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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.
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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.

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For any additional questions about republishing Direct Relief content, please email the team here.

Hurricane Ian Relief

Disaster Relief

Direct Relief will use all contributions designated for Hurricane Ian solely for relief and recovery efforts related to Hurricane Ian.

Direct Relief’s Marisa Barnes surveys damage from Hurricane Ian on Thursday, October 6, 2022 in Ft. Myers, Florida. Direct Relief has been actively responding to the hurricane in the four weeks since it made landfall. (Zack Wittman for Direct Relief)

Responding to Florida and the U.S. Gulf Coast

The Category Four storm made landfall in Western Florida, with older adults and medically fragile people at particular risk.

Direct Relief prepositioned a dozen Hurricane Prep Packs with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Florida and is responding to additional requests for emergency medicines, backup power systems, and more.

The organization has a long history of responding to hurricanes in the state, including Hurricane Michael in 2018.

In the weeks since Hurricane Ian made landfall, Direct Relief has shipped more than 247 emergency shipments were sent to Florida, valued at $2.8 million to 80 recipients.

Shipments of medical aid depart for multiple health facilities across Florida on Sept. 28, 2022, in response to Hurricane Ian. (Brea Burkholz/Direct Relief)

Earlier this summer, in line with a program established in 2007, which began in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to help support health centers, Direct Relief prepositioned a dozen Hurricane Prep Packs in Florida. The packs, which contain over 210 different products, and have been refined and updated based on feedback from health centers and other medical providers, currently have a range of antibiotics, syringes, basic first aid supplies, and medications to treat conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and severe allergic reactions.

In addition to twelve pre-positioned caches of medical aid currently staged in Florida, Direct Relief also had hurricane preparedness packs staged in Georgia, South Carolina and across the U.S. Gulf Coast ready to be accessed by local health facilities. Emergency supplies were also staged in Havana, Cuba, prior to Ian’s path making landfall on the island, and additional shipments supplemented needs as they became known by local health providers.

Hurricane Preparedness Packs depart Direct Relief’s warehouse in this file photo. (Lara Cooper/Direct Relief)

Direct Relief has coordinated its response with the Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, as well Florida VOAD, or Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

Because power remained intermittent or out completely after the storm, Direct Relief also shipped a variety of power solutions, including solar generators, to several sites across Florida. 

HEALTH IMPACTS

Disasters like hurricanes disproportionately impact vulnerable people, including children, older adults, people without access to transportation, people with disabilities, and those for whom English is a second language.

People with chronic conditions are also at risk if they lose access to medications needed to manage their health. Conditions like asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure can prompt emergency room visits during times of high volume for acute injuries.

Power outages caused by storms can also be life-threatening for people dependent on electricity-powered medical devices, such as ventilators. Health facilities are also dependent on power to refrigerate vaccines, insulin and other temperature-sensitive therapies, power electronic health records, and more. Direct Relief was able to ship resilient power units to multiple health facilities, among them MCR Health in Bradenton, which manages five campuses that see more than 140,000 patients annually. Three Sunkit solar generators were shipped to the organization to support power needs.

Looking Ahead

Post-Ian, many clinics lost access to power and water, and wind and water damage was widespread to facilities.

Clinics reported staffing was a challenge since some staff lost homes and/or sustained major damage. Direct Relief is focused on cash grants for clinic repair and replacing equipment that was lost or destroyed.

Direct Relief staff members greet founder Deanie Singh as they arrive at the Premier Mobile Health Clinic with medical supplies in Ft. Myers, Florida on Tuesday, October 4, 2022. Direct Relief has provided medical aid and financial support for the mobile health free clinic as it serves many who have been impacted by Ian. (Zack Wittman for Direct Relief)

Many health centers and free clinics are using mobile units to provide care while their facilities undergo repairs, and have requested basic medical supplies for health services. Replacement of cold chain medications that were lost when power was out, resilient power options, both permanent and temporary, and the need for mental health care, including medication supplies, are also top priorities.

During this next phase of recovery, Direct Relief will be focused on targeted financial support to backfill losses among nonprofit health providers so they can meet the increased demand for services.

Shipments of medical aid depart for multiple health facilities across Florida on Sept. 28, 2022, in response to Hurricane Ian. (Brea Burkholz/Direct Relief)

Hurricane Ian Relief

100% of your contribution will be dedicated to Hurricane Ian response efforts.