In Summary

• Direct Relief retains its “Perfect 100” charity score and a renewed four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the country’s largest charity evaluator.
• The Lancet interviews Direct Relief’s CEO and staff about how cold-chain issues can interfere with diabetes care around the world.
• Three months after Haiti’s devastating earthquake, the organization has provided more than $18 million in medical aid and committed another $20.6 million.

Top Stories

Direct Relief Scores a “Perfect 100”

The situation: Charity Navigator, the country’s foremost independent charity evaluator, rates a total of 160,000 nonprofits for transparency, use of finances, culture, leadership, and more.

The response:  Reflecting its strong financial health and commitment to accountability, Direct Relief earned a “Perfect 100” charity score and a renewed four-star rating, the evaluator’s highest ranking.

The impact: “Direct Relief receives no government funding and is deeply committed to honoring the generosity and intent of every person, organization, and business that pitches in and is part of the work,” said Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief CEO. “It’s gratifying to share the Charity Navigator recognition with each of them.”

In The Lancet, Direct Relief Weighs in on the Cold Chain and Diabetes

The situation: The vast majority of the world’s diabetes patients live in low- and middle-income countries, but insulin needs to be stored at cold temperatures, making it hard for people to get the treatment they need, The Lancet reports.

The response: The publication interviewed members of Direct Relief, including CEO Thomas Tighe, about how the organization is working to increase cold-chain infrastructure in low-resource settings.

The impact: As the cold chain becomes a larger part of pharmaceutical production and distribution, Direct Relief’s partners will be more prepared to transport and store medications – and treat patients.

Three Months After the Haiti Earthquake, Response Is Ongoing

The situation: Three months after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the south of Haiti, needs are shifting. Where before there were acute care needs such as crush syndrome, the problem is now medication and supply shortages.

The response: Direct Relief’s response to the earthquake has changed with Haiti’s needs. Most recently, the organization sent insulin, midwife kits, and Covid-19 therapies and rapid tests to the country. All told, Direct Relief has provided more than $18 million in medical aid, and has committed another $20.6 million. In addition $795,000 has been granted.

The impact: Recipients have included a hospital in the quake zone, doctors working in displacement camps, maternal and child health care providers, and more.

In Brief

The United States

• Over the past two weeks, Direct Relief has made 644 shipments to 451 partners in 48 states and territories, totaling $9.2 million in value and more than 7,133 pounds.
• In Hawai’i, a kids’ program teaches agroforestry – accompanied by lessons about Hawaiian culture and history.
• Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity Is supporting a number of organizations employing community health workers to care for diverse communities across the country.
• The island of Vieques has unusually high cancer rates. A local group is working to make care more accessible.
• Through a Direct Relief and DoorDash initiative, 506 health centers received $2 million in delivery gift cards for patients who sought out a Covid-19 vaccine.
• Indigenous midwives are providing baby baskets – and much more – to Mohawk mothers and babies.
• In Florida, primarily Black and Latino patients are learning to manage chronic disease successfully.

Around the World

• In the past two weeks, Direct Relief has made 33 shipments to 27 partners in 16 countries, totaling $22.2 million in value and more than 88,686 pounds.
• Uneven Covid-19 vaccination rates are leading to surges in some countries.
• In October, Direct Relief became a member of Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (PMNCH) hosted by the World Health Organization.
• Direct Relief provided a Covid-19 operations grant to a hospital in Egypt doing essential rare disease treatments.
• A Bangladeshi hospital received enough midwife kits to facilitate more than 2,000 births, and enough fistula repair modules to conduct 150 surgeries to correct the devastating condition.