×

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.

After Deadly Tornadoes Sweep Through Multiple States, Direct Relief Responds

Several communities, including in Tennessee and Georgia, reported deadly damage, and Direct Relief is working to provide medical assistance.

News

Extreme Weather

Tornado damage to homes on March 26, 2021 in Newnan, Georgia. An EF-4 rating tornado passed through Newnan and parts of nearby Coweta and Heard counties late Thursday night into Friday. Dozens of storms were reported across the U.S. after a devastating weather system swept through. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
By Lara Cooper

Extreme weather ripped through parts of the U.S. over the weekend, spanning several states from Texas to North Carolina, with some communities reporting destructive and deadly tornadoes.

The National Weather Service reported over 160 instances of extreme weather in the region from Friday through Sunday. Fifteen tornadoes were reported across Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. Heavy rainfall was also reported in many areas, including Nashville, which experienced flash flooding.

In Response

Direct Relief has issued emergency assistance alerts to more than 330 partner health care organizations across multiple states.

The organization is also in communication with state groups, including primary care associations in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, free clinic associations, the Red Cross, and Volunteers Active in Disasters, or VOAD.

Local Support

In Georgia, the town of Newnan was impacted heavily by an EF4 tornado, which brought winds of up to 170 miles per hour to the area on Friday morning. At least one person was killed as a result, and several homes were lifted off their foundations. Direct Relief been in communication with Coweta County Emergency Management about emerging needs in the Newnan community, and is also reaching out to Coweta Samaritan Clinic, located in Newnan.

Last week, Direct Relief provided Coweta Samaritan Clinic with three medical aid shipments containing a variety of chronic disease medications and medical supplies. 

In Tennessee, other health facilities were also reviewing medical needs. Direct Relief staff were in communication with several health centers in impacted areas, including Neighborhood Health and Charis Health. Direct Relief on Saturday sent an emergency medical shipment to Charis Health Center, which included Covid-19 supplies such as pulse oximeters.  On Monday, another emergency shipment was being prepared for departure and included inhalers, nutritionals, personal hygiene items, personal protective equipment, and over-the-counter products.

Neighborhood Health is a federally qualified health center in Nashville with 10 locations, and Charis Health, based in Mount Juliet, is a free clinic with two locations and a mobile health unit. In March 2020, both health organizations were impacted by deadly tornadoes that swept through Nashville, killing 24 people and destroying many structures.

Neighborhood Health worked to respond to impacted patients even as their Eastside Clinic in East Nashville had been badly damaged, and Charis Health administered care to patients via a mobile unit in local communities, including in a WalMart parking lot.

Immediate Health Needs and Beyond

With the most recent storms, Direct Relief will be responding to any medical needs that arise.

Often after severe weather, medical needs develop, beyond emergency trauma from the storm. Evacuees or displaced residents may be cut off from essential medicines needed to manage chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure, which can result in emergency room visits, if not managed with an uninterrupted supply of medications and care.

At the health facility level, back-up power may be needed for refrigerated medicines, and hygiene kits for displaced people may also be requested. Health needs during storm recovery and clean-up also often arise, as residents move back into damaged areas to begin work, which may prompt requests for tetanus vaccines and protective gear.

Direct Relief will be monitoring requests for assistance and responding.

Filed Under: , , , ,

Giving is Good Medicine

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