Haiti Earthquake: Three Months Later
Over $34.8 Million in Medical Aid Already Provided by Direct Relief International
Santa Barbara, CA, April 12, 2010—Three months after the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, Direct Relief International has furnished over $34.8 million in direct medical aid to the country and remains intensely involved in efforts to address both current and long-term needs. Among the first international groups to respond, Direct Relief’s assistance to Haiti represents the largest humanitarian relief effort in the organization’s 62-year history.
An estimated 230,000 people were killed by the quake with 3 million people in need of aid and 1.3 million displaced.
"Although public attention is fading, the effects of the earthquake remain profound on people living in affected areas and continued intense efforts are required," said Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief International President and CEO.
Direct Relief has furnished over 226 tons (452,000 lbs.) of material aid to recipient health partners through more than 55 shipments. Materials include medical equipment and instruments, nutritionals, prescription and over-the-counter medications, and basic medical treatment and diagnostic supplies.
The organization has also upped its cash grant commitment for locally based prosthetic and orthotic services from to $2 million from $1.2 million, and continues to evaluate Haitian community groups for its pool of $500,000 short-term recovery grants.
Direct Relief is also providing partners and the public with an interactive online map detailing the flow of aid distributed to Direct Relief’s health partners treating earthquake survivors since January 12. Direct Relief continues to maintain emergency response teams in Haiti to ensure the coordination and distribution of aid.
Direct Relief's earthquake response efforts, consistent with the organization's philosophy, are to strengthen and rebuild the local health infrastructure while keeping its own organizational expenses to a minimum.
"Those who have most at stake are the people who will always live in these countries, and Direct Relief is committed to providing these local groups and leaders with the resources given to us for their benefit," said Tighe.
Direct Relief's recent emergency response efforts in Haiti have included:
- Delivering by helicopter a shipment of medical aid to Hôpital Albert Schweitzer in Deschapelles, north of Port-au-Prince.
- Delivering three truckloads of much-needed intravenous solutions and supplies (donated by Baxter) to St. Damien Pediatric Hospital in Port-au-Prince.
- Assisting Partners in Health (PIH) with inventory control and resupply of needed materials, which allows PIH staff to focus on patient care.
- Participating in the Disability Working Group, a consortium of governmental and nongovernmental agencies that is establishing a long-term care strategy for the estimated 2,000 to 4,000 amputees since the earthquake.
Direct Relief’s Haiti mapping tool of assistance to Haiti is available at www.directrelief.org/Flash/HaitiShipments/Index.html, and current information about Direct Relief’s Haiti response is available at http://www.directrelief.org/EmergencyResponse/2010/EarthquakeHaiti.aspx.
About Direct Relief International
Founded in 1948, Direct Relief is a Santa Barbara, California-based nonprofit organization focused on improving quality of life by bringing critically needed medicines and supplies to local healthcare providers worldwide. Direct Relief has provided more than $1 billion in privately funded humanitarian aid since 2000, including more than $150 million in assistance in the United States. It has earned a fundraising efficiency score of 99 percent or better from Forbes for the past eight years, and is ranked by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as California's largest international nonprofit organization based on private support. For more information, please visit www.DirectRelief.org.
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