Direct Relief International Launches Online Mapping Tool for Haiti Earthquake Medical Aid
First-of-its-kind Web application tracks flow of largest humanitarian relief effort in Direct Relief’s history, over $25 million in medical aid distributed so far to Haiti health partners treating earthquake survivors
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (March 12, 2010) — As Direct Relief International continues to respond to the Haiti earthquake with major shipments of medical material aid and cash grants, the organization is making public an interactive visualization tool that maps and charts the distribution of its aid to Haiti.
The map depicts the flow of the over $25 million (100 tons) in medicines, medical equipment, and supplies distributed to date by Direct Relief to health partners treating earthquake survivors in Haiti.
"The response to the Haiti earthquake is the largest humanitarian effort Direct Relief has mounted in our 62-year history,” said Thomas Tighe, President and CEO of Direct Relief International. “While this mapping system is the result of our internal efforts to accelerate the integration of geographic information systems with our own inventory and supply-chain systems, we hope it will also serve as a tool to make this information transparent and easily understandable to all interested parties.”
The new mapping tool 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.
The mapping tool includes graphic views of Direct Relief’s aid by recipient health partner organization and location, and by category including medical equipment and instruments, nutritionals, prescription and over-the-counter medications, basic medical treatment, and diagnostic supplies. The map currently details aid distributed by Direct Relief between January 12 and March 5, and will be updated as additional assistance is deployed.
The development of the mapping tool was informed by Direct Relief’s participation in the Interagency Haiti Health Facility Mapping Group, whose membership also includes the World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, and the U.S. Department of State.
Care for people injured in the earthquake continues; as many Haitians are left homeless and the rainy season approaches, an increasing health concern is to prevent disease outbreaks in camps. People living in situations with compromised water and sanitation are at risk for diarrheal diseases and other conditions that can be life-threatening if not treated. As partners identify needs for patient care, Direct Relief continues to supply them with materials they need to provide care to vulnerable people.
Due to the severity of the situation, Direct Relief has maintained emergency response teams on the ground in Haiti. Director of Emergency Response Brett Williams is in Haiti this week for the third time since the earthquake struck. Williams is coordinating with healthcare partner organizations to provide assistive devices and physical rehabilitation for the estimated thousands of patients who need treatment for physical injuries and amputations, the focus of a $1.2 million commitment by Direct Relief.
Williams’ team is also coordinating distribution of the latest airlift, a 53-pallet shipment valued at over $3.4 million (wholesale) in medical materials. This shipment includes wheelchairs, braces, antibiotics, and surgical supplies. Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) is receiving more than $510,000 of this medical aid it has specifically requested to help care for Haitians affected by the earthquake. The hospital in Deschapelles, north of Port-au-Prince, has surgical and orthopedic wards, and it has been caring for large numbers of people injured in the earthquake.
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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