Direct Relief’s emergency response team has contacted more than 250 partners in 15 states up the East Coast of the U.S. to assess needs following Hurricane Irene’s landfall this weekend. None has requested additional aid, while one Direct Relief partner, Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center in Ahoskie, NC, used its Hurricane Prep Pack at health center locations needing urgent supplies. The health center is working closely with local emergency management agencies to assist people affected by Irene.

As part of its annual Hurricane Preparedness Program, Direct Relief distributed 39 packs in the U.S. before hurricane season started in June. The packs contain enough material to treat 100 people for three to five days for a variety of health issues, from chronic conditions to trauma injuries.

Though not carrying the force it was predicted to have, Irene was the cause of 15 deaths, power outages, and widespread flooding across eight states that displaced tens of thousands of people, according to news reports.

As partners assess the situation and needs of their patients following Irene, Direct Relief will work to provide the medical material they request.