11/22/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/22/2024 14:10
Over the past 7 days, Direct Relief has delivered 453 shipments of requested medical aid to 46 U.S. states and territories and seven countries worldwide. The shipments contained 3.3M defined daily doses of medication.
Medications and supplies shipped this week included prenatal vitamins, cancer treatment therapies, personal protective equipment, field medic packs for triage care, diabetes management medications, and more.
Continued Response to Historic Flooding in Spain
Earlier this month, the Spanish province of Valencia experienced unprecedented rainfall and flooding, causing widespread damage and displacing thousands of residents. In response, Direct Relief provided a $135,000 emergency cash grant to Bomberos Unidos Sin Fronteras, or BUSF, a Spanish search and rescue organization, to support their deployment to the affected region.
The 17-member BUSF emergency response team recently concluded its operations, which focused on search and rescue efforts, medical evacuations, and clearing critical infrastructure to restore emergency logistics. The grant from Direct Relief enabled the team's mobilization and funded essential equipment, including water pumps and generators.
In the aftermath of the acute response phase, BUSF is planning to collaborate with the local Red Cross and other agencies to address ongoing health and water, sanitation, and hygiene needs. To support these efforts, Direct Relief is preparing a shipment of 36 field medic backpacks and 200 personal care kits with hygiene items such as soap and shampoo.
Direct Relief remains committed to supporting those impacted by these disasters and adapting its response efforts to meet evolving global needs.
Protective Equipment Departs for Health Workers Battling Mpox
As part of its ongoing efforts to combat the mpox outbreak in Africa, Direct Relief is preparing to ship mpox response kits to support health efforts as cases surpassed 50,000 across the continent last week.
Since the outbreak began, Direct Relief has partnered with Jericho Road and the Wellness Clinic at New Hope Center in Goma to provide critical support. This has included grant funding that enables Jericho Road staff to treat patients in internally displaced persons camps and curb the disease's spread.
Direct Relief's mpox response kits contain essential medical resources, including personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns, N-95 masks, goggles, and shoe covers to protect up to 100 healthcare workers. Each kit also contains medications for pain management and skin irritation, wound care supplies, and disinfectant wipes for up to 1,000 patients.
Bomb Cyclone Slams Pacific Coast
Northern California and the Pacific Northwest are experiencing heavy rain, damaging winds, and rising snow levels from a strong atmospheric river and bombogenesis ("bomb cyclone"), lasting through Friday and possibly lingering through the weekend. Storm-impacted communities in the region are expecting power outages, flash floods, and potential mudslides.
Direct Relief has been in touch with the California Office of Emergency Services, state and regional primary care associations, health centers, and clinics in impacted areas.
When It Matters Most, Direct Relief Delivers
Operational Snapshot
UNITED STATES
Direct Relief delivered 438 shipments containing 577K doses of medication during the past seven days to organizations, including the following:
Around the World
Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 2.7M defined daily doses of medication totaling 31,246lbs., to countries including the following:
YEAR TO DATE
Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 22.3K shipments to 2,313 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 88 countries. These shipments contained 374.9M defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.5B (wholesale) and totaled 4.8M lbs.