Direct Relief this week provided two of its earthquake relief partners Australian Aid International (AAI) and CHF International with $1.7 million (wholesale) worth of medical material aid. The four tons of medical material was flown to Indonesia on Tuesday, June 13 and will be distributed on Thursday, June 16 in Indonesia.
In response to the changing medical needs of earthquake survivors in Yogyakarta, an emergency shipment of pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, and medical supplies was air freighted to earthquake relief partners Australian Aid International (AAI) and CHF International. Communication received from Direct Relief staff members, who have been on-site assessing the situation, directed the decision on shipment priority and contents.
Direct Relief’s Emergency Coordinator reported from Yogyakarta that there had been a shift in the majority of earthquake-related injuries from orthopedic problems to rehabilitation, lacerations, and skin infections primarily as a result of villagers attempting to excavate their homes. Upper respiratory infections are also a major concern due to the compromised living conditions as well as ash and smoke generated from the nearby volcano that continues to threaten a larger eruption.
The earthquake response from AAI has been extensive. AAI physicians took over a field hospital established by a departing organization, and are providing medical services to hundreds of earthquake survivors. Products provided to AAI included a variety of anti-infective agents to address infections due to dirty wounds, upper and lower respiratory illnesses, and gastrointestinal problems; dermatological products to address fungal infections and skin irritation and rashes; and first aid and general hospital supplies for consultations, minor injuries, vaccinations, and rehydration.
Product designated for CHF included antibiotics, prenatal supplements, gastrointestinal agents, and assorted first aid and orthopedic supplies. CHF had previously received a Direct Relief emergency shipment in response to the earthquake. Working with Persatuan Perawat Nacional (PPNI), an Indonesian partner organization that deployed a team of 20 nurses to Yogyakarta to care for earthquake victims, CHF distributed donated medical goods to local health posts, medical clinics, and hospitals.
The following companies donated products specifically requested for the Indonesia earthquake that were included in this shipment:
- BD
- Johnson & Johnson
- Merck & Company, Inc.
- Pfizer Consumer Healthcare
- Schering-Plough
Direct Relief responded immediately after the earthquake in providing both emergency cash grants and medical material aid to Indonesian-based partner organizations and colleague U.S. nongovernmental organizations with medical teams in the region. Cash assistance went towards purchasing two ambulances, supplies and equipment to equip its eight field-based clinics (minor surgery sets, sterilizers, suction, disposables, etc.), eight small generators to power the clinics, along with providing financial assistance for teams of nurses and doctors to medical support, nutrition, and address other urgent needs for those affected by the earthquake.