Latin American Diplomatic Delegation Visits Direct Relief, Tours New Distribution Facility

Vice Consul General Julio Calderon of El Salvador, Consul General Pablo Mario Ordoñez of Honduras, Dr. Rodolfo Urruela of Guatemala, Consul General Roberto Benítez of Paraguay, Consul General Diego Jaramillo of Ecuador, and Consul General Erwin Roberto Archila of Guatemala, tour Direct Relief's new headquarters with staff on Thursday. (Tony Morain/Direct Relief photo)

By Thomas Tighe, President and CEO, Direct Relief

August 24, 2017

Direct Relief had the pleasure Thursday of welcoming Consuls General from Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Paraguay, all of whom visited Direct Relief to receive briefings on the organization’s support to Latin American nations and discuss strategies to improve and strengthen protocols and relations generally.

Direct Relief has long provided humanitarian support to each of the countries on both an ongoing basis and in response to emergencies.

In response to increased requests for assistance, Direct Relief’s privately funded humanitarian health assistance activities have expanded significantly over the past five years – both within the U.S. and globally – and has included more than $400 million to these five countries.

The delegation – initial members of a Direct Relief “Consulate Club” – also visited the site of Direct Relief’s new distribution facility and offices that are under construction, which are designed to meet both federal requirements related to the storage and handling of prescription medications and ensure that Direct Relief maintains its unique accreditation among charitable organizations to store and distribute such products in all 50 U.S. states.

The new 155,000-square-foot facility will serve as the distribution hub for prescription medications, vaccines, biologic therapies, supplies and over-the-counter health commodities that Direct Relief furnishes to colleague nonprofit health facilities and public health institutions in all 50 U.S. states and over 80 countries globally for people in need who otherwise lack access to essential resources for their health and well-being.

Direct Relief Chairman Dr. Angel Iscovich and Vice Chairman Mark Schwartz welcomed the delegation and led the briefing and discussions that covered a broad range of topics, emphasizing Direct Relief’s ongoing commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need in the most efficient manner possible, to the highest standards of care and regulatory compliance, and consistent with the organization’s apolitical and secular character.