×

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.

New Supply of Covid-19 Therapies Arrives in Gaza

Medicine was donated by Merck and provided by Direct Relief to Anera to support the health system.

News

Covid-19

Covid-19 therapies arrived recently for patients at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza. Dr. Kifah Toman, pictured here, is director of the central pharmaceuticals department at the Ministry of Health and said the medications will support the local health system experiencing shortages. (Anera photo)

A fifth wave of Covid-19 has hit the Gaza Strip. To make matters worse, there’s a chronic shortage of medicines that makes it harder to provide proper treatment for patients in Gaza. The continuing blockade of Gaza severely impacts the supply of drugs to fight the pandemic and other maladies.

To help ease the burden, Direct Relief has provided a new medical aid shipment of molnupiravir for Gaza, which Anera has delivered to Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s principal medical center. Molnupiravir is used to treat mild to moderate cases of Covid-19 in patients who are at risk for developing a more serious illness.

The treatment helps relieve symptoms and help prevent fatalities. The shipment included 39,920 capsules, which the Ministry of Health needs for more developed protocols of antiviral drugs to combat Covid-19.

Dr. Kifah Toman, director of the central pharmaceuticals department at the Ministry of Health in Gaza. (Anera photo)

Dr. Kifah Toman is the director of the central pharmaceuticals department at the Ministry of Health. “We’re relieved and happy that the drug was delivered to Shifa Hospital and to pulmonologists,” he said. The medicines are also available to other physicians as an optional treatment for Covid-19.

The Gaza physician said the dispensing of the drug depends on the age of the patient and the severity of the infection. The chronic shortage of medicines in Gaza is a major challenge for health providers.

Dr. Toman stressed the importance of continuing to supply vital medicines to Gaza hospitals, especially those dealing with epidemics like Covid-19. He added that treating some of the hospital’s patients requires medications often in short supply, including vitamins and intravenous medicines for nutrition.

Pharmacists sort medicines at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza. The hospital recently received therapies for Covid-19 patients, donated by Direct Relief. (Anera photo)

Editor’s note: This article was originally published by Anera here. Direct Relief’s donation of molnupiravir to Anera was made possible via a contribution from Merck & Co. Since January 1, 2022, Direct Relief has provided Anera with nearly 9 million doses of medication totaling more than 75 tons to support their humanitarian efforts in Gaza and throughout the region.

Giving is Good Medicine

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