Direct Relief recently provided a targeted grant of $15,000 to Australian Aid International (AAI) to support its ongoing work in the Philippines following Typhoon Ketsana. The storm, which hit last September, caused extreme flooding in the Philippines and other countries, affecting more than 3 million people and prompting Philippine President Gloria Arroyo to declare a “state of calamity” in the capital city of Manila.

Immediately after the typhoon hit, AAI was on the ground in the Philippines providing emergency medical services and working to prevent disease outbreaks. Its team also helped establish field hospitals and coordinated relief efforts with nongovernmental and governmental agencies. Direct Relief supported AAI’s clinics and medical outreach with almost $200,000 (wholesale) in medical material aid. In the severe flooding, AAI conducted medical outreach missions by boat to reach patients in need. It reports that it has treated more than 6,000 patients to date.

With the recent $15,000 grant from Direct Relief, AAI will provide relief health services to 10,000 people, and provide emergency trauma management and training to at least 30 local health workers. This will increase access to services for vulnerable populations, and equip local healthcare providers with skills for early warning disease surveillance, international disaster medicine, and hygiene promotion.