×

News publications and other organizations are encouraged to reuse Direct Relief-published content for free under a Creative Commons License (Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International), given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

When republishing:

  • Include a byline with the reporter’s name and Direct Relief in the following format: "Author Name, Direct Relief." If attribution in that format is not possible, include the following language at the top of the story: "This story was originally published by Direct Relief."
  • If publishing online, please link to the original URL of the story.
  • Maintain any tagline at the bottom of the story.
  • With Direct Relief's permission, news publications can make changes such as localizing the content for a particular area, using a different headline, or shortening story text. To confirm edits are acceptable, please check with Direct Relief by clicking this link.
  • If new content is added to the original story — for example, a comment from a local official — a note with language to the effect of the following must be included: "Additional reporting by [reporter and organization]."
  • If republished stories are shared on social media, Direct Relief appreciates being tagged in the posts:
    • Twitter (@DirectRelief)
    • Facebook (@DirectRelief)
    • Instagram (@DirectRelief)

Republishing Images:

Unless stated otherwise, images shot by Direct Relief may be republished for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution, given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

  • Maintain correct caption information.
  • Credit the photographer and Direct Relief in the caption. For example: "First and Last Name / Direct Relief."
  • Do not digitally alter images.

Direct Relief often contracts with freelance photographers who usually, but not always, allow their work to be published by Direct Relief’s media partners. Contact Direct Relief for permission to use images in which Direct Relief is not credited in the caption by clicking here.

Other Requirements:

  • Do not state or imply that donations to any third-party organization support Direct Relief's work.
  • Republishers may not sell Direct Relief's content.
  • Direct Relief's work is prohibited from populating web pages designed to improve rankings on search engines or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements.
  • Advance permission is required to translate Direct Relief's stories into a language different from the original language of publication. To inquire, contact us here.
  • If Direct Relief requests a change to or removal of republished Direct Relief content from a site or on-air, the republisher must comply.

For any additional questions about republishing Direct Relief content, please email the team here.

From the Philippines: Improving Health Care in Island Communities

News

By Andrew MacCalla

During our last day in the Philippines, we were able to travel from Concepcion town to the Barangay, or town, of Macatunao on Quiniluban Island. The Municipality of Concepcion is on the northeast coast of Panay and was the fifth landfall point of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Of the roughly 50,000 people living in Concepcion, nearly half of them live in a string of 11 islands off the coast of the mainland in extremely exposed conditions. Families on Macatunao told us that when the storm hit, the 5,000 people in the village ran up to the top of a mountain and waited out the storm for six hours.

Luckily, everyone survived, but 100 percent of the homes were damaged or destroyed, leaving the people to sleep in extremely cramped conditions in the school and the single health station, which also sustained much damage, for over a month.

Additionally, almost all of their boats were destroyed. That not only affects their livelihoods (the primary source of income for these island communities is fishing) but also their ability to get to the mainland for food, water, and medical care.

In the Philippines, the first point of medical care is the Barangay Health Station (BHS). Ideally, there is one health station per Barangay and they are typically staffed by a midwife. Frequently, women will deliver their babies at these health stations; families will receive primary care services there; and it is where children will receive their vaccinations. For the health care system to work, it is crucial that these stations are intact and functional.

Working with longtime partner Access Aid International (AAI), Direct Relief made a three-pronged commitment to improve the health care and infrastructure in these island communities by:

Visit the Direct Relief blog over the next several days to read more of my stories about these projects.

DR_2014_PHIL-3454

Giving is Good Medicine

You don't have to donate. That's why it's so extraordinary if you do.