In Summary

• Working with the Mexican government, Direct Relief delivered 95,000 polio vaccine doses to Ecuador.

• A $200,000 grant from Direct Relief is helping Alaska’s most vulnerable receive Covid-19 vaccines.

• Covid-19 vaccine clinic held at Direct Relief HQ.

• In Mississippi, a $250,000 grant from Direct Relief is bolstering efforts to address food insecurity.

 

Top Stories

When Ecuador Needed Polio Vaccines, Mexico and Direct Relief Stepped Up

The situation: Last month, Ecuador launched a national campaign to inoculate infants against polio, but the country ran short of the vaccine doses needed.

The response: The Mexican government responded to the appeal, offering to donate the vaccine from its national stockpile. To transport the aid, Mexico turned to Direct Relief.

The impact: Using its cold-chain transportation experience and resources, Direct Relief delivered 95,000 doses of the vaccine, which landed last week at Quito International Airport.

 

Direct Relief Supports Alaskan Covid-19 Vaccination Efforts

The situation: A health center in Alaska has undertaken an ambitious plan to vaccinate people living in remote communities, some of whom need to be transported by chartered plane.

The response: Direct Relief is supporting the vaccination efforts with a $200,000 grant.

The impact: Vaccinating people in remote communities reduces the likelihood that emergencies will arise, when help is far away and dependent on weather.

 

At Direct Relief Headquarters, A Vaccine Clinic Aimed at Vulnerable Locals

The situation: Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, a local health center, has been vaccinating the community’s most vulnerable against Covid-19.

The response: Direct Relief has hosted Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics for vaccine pop-up clinics on March 13 and 18, and will continue to do so.

The impact: More than 100 members of the community received the vaccine at the first clinic.

 

A New Program Aims to Reduce Hunger in Mississippi

The situation: Food insecurity is on the rise, and Mississippi has the highest rates in the country.

The response: A new program headed by the Community Health Center Association of Mississippi is working to reduce hunger while offering education on healthy eating. Direct Relief is supporting the program with a $250,000 grant.

The impact: Participating health centers are working to reach a range of diverse populations, from people with HIV to children experiencing hunger.

 

In Brief

The United States

• Over the past two weeks, Direct Relief has shipped 1,027 deliveries totaling more than $11.3 million (wholesale) to 477 health organizations in 46 states and territories.
• During that time, Direct Relief has processed more than $380,000 in grant funding to support a range of health-focused initiatives.
• Direct Relief also hosted a reproductive health webinar in honor of International Women’s Day.

Around the World

• Over the same period, Direct Relief has supported organizations in 24 countries with more than $15 million in medical aid and more than $250,000 in grant funding.
• Direct Relief is in the process of shipping more than two dozen 40-foot containers of PPE to health organizations around the world.
• Since the beginning of the pandemic, the organization has shipped 3,942 oxygen concentrators to health care providers worldwide.
• In response to a call from the Pan-American Health Organization, Direct Relief sent 1,900 pounds of medical aid to support a field hospital in Barbados.