Direct Relief has airlifted more than $112,000 (wholesale) in medical material aid to the Education Foundation for Economic and Social Development (FEDES) to support care for people affected by the recent 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile. FedEx has donated the airfreight of the 17-pallet consignment, which included a variety of surgical supplies, materials for wound-care, and personal care products, all specifically requested for the earthquake response.

Though infrastructure in Chile is strong, more than 1.5 million people have been displaced following the earthquake, according to news reports. FEDES, a nonprofit organization that provides medical, educational, and social support in Chile, has requested the material aid for health facilities in Curicó, a town in the heavily affected region of Maule.

Collaborating with governmental and nongovernmental agencies in Chile, Direct Relief staff is working to provide needed medical material aid to help people injured and displaced by the earthquake.