×

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.

With Need for Medicine Critical in Puerto Rico, Direct Relief Responds with Key Aid

News

Hurricane Maria

Direct Relief staff load shipments, including emergency medicines and supplies bound for San Juan, Puerto Rico, into a FedEx vehicle Tuesday. (Lara Cooper/Direct Relief photo)
By Lara Cooper

Even as communication remains limited to Puerto Rico in Hurricane Maria’s aftermath, the first wave of medical shipments are leaving Direct Relief’s warehouse, bound for the island, where the need for essential medicines is high.

Staff are in contact with the Puerto Rico Department of Health, Emergency Operations Center and the Puerto Rico Primary Care Association, a network of federally qualified health centers.

In addition to immediate needs like potable water and diesel, Department of Health officials have also said medicine is a critical need and are evaluating the ability to accept vaccines and insulin, which must be kept cold.

A shipment of essential medicines will arrive today in Puerto Rico, packed with medical supplies like wound care, antibiotics and other medical supplies specifically requested by the Puerto Rico Department of Health.

Emergency Health Kits left Direct Relief’s warehouse on Monday and will arrive in Puerto Rico on Wednesday.  Six hundred hygiene kits, and 12 medical backpacks, which equip first responders with medical supplies, will arrive in the coming days.

Direct Relief staff load shipments, including emergency medicines and supplies bound for San Juan, Puerto Rico, into a FedEx vehicle Tuesday. (Lara Cooper/Direct Relief photo)

Direct Relief staff will be in San Juan, Puerto Rico, by Wednesday, and will be bringing critical medicines, like requested antibiotics and inhalers.

Meanwhile, power outages continue to leave millions of residents in the dark. The lack of power also means that many hospitals are running on generators, but that fuel is limited and medicines are also in short supply. Cell phone reception has been extremely limited, with about 95 percent of wireless cell sites out of service

On the northwest corner of the island, portions of the Guajataca Dam have fallen and the government is working to assess the rest of the dam and whether it will collapse.

“It represents a great danger for about an estimated 70,000 people,” according to Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello.

Filed Under: , ,

Giving is Good Medicine

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