Aid Departs for 13 Countries

First responders walk through a common migrant crossing path near the Mexico-U.S. border in Piedras Negras, Mexico, equipped with field medic packs from Direct Relief. The organization shipped backpacks and other health essentials to the area to support public health agencies meeting health needs of migrants. Mexico was recipient of more than a dozen countries receiving medical aid this week. Photo by Paul Barcena for Direct Relief)

By Lara Cooper

October 14, 2023

Over the past seven days, Direct Relief has delivered 455 shipments of requested medical aid to 41 U.S. states and territories and 13 countries worldwide.

The shipments contained 11.5 million defined daily doses of medication, including cardiovascular medicines, vitamins, PPE, diabetes supplies, and more.

Supporting Medical Needs After Terror Attacks in Israel

The border area in Metulla, Israel, on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. (MARCUS YAM / LOS ANGELES TIMES)

In response to the terror attacks that occurred one week ago in Israel, Direct Relief has committed $1 million to support Israeli organizations providing emergency health and social services, several of which have requested assistance to secure needed health and medical essentials.

This commitment follows an initial grant announced this week to the Ashkelon Foundation, a nonprofit focused on health and well-being in southern Israel near the border with Gaza.

The foundation is supporting Barzilai Medical Center, a 600-bed hospital that received 250 patients in the first 12 hours of the attack, fifty of whom were in critical condition.

In addition to the $1 million in cash assistance, Direct Relief has offered its extensive medical inventories and other resources, including international logistics assistance needed to mobilize additional medications or medical commodities to assist with the crisis in Israel.

The blockade resulting from the terrorist attack has interrupted the long-established channels through which humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza under the supervision and control of Israeli authorities. It is through these approved channels that Direct Relief has provided extensive ongoing humanitarian health assistance in recent years. When authorized humanitarian channels are reestablished to help innocent civilians in Gaza caught in the crossfire, Direct Relief is prepared to assist.

Tornadoes Touch Down in Florida

Tornados swept through areas of west Florida Thursday, with damage reported near the Tampa area, in Citrus, Pinellas and Pasco counties. Several buildings have been significantly damaged, and roads are closed across the region. A clinical site of Langley Health Services, located in Crystal River and which receives Direct Relief support, was destroyed.

Direct Relief has been in communication with the Florida Association of Community Health Centers, and will offer assistance as needs become known.

Direct Relief Hosts Emergency Responders for Training

On Oct. 11, 2023, Direct Relief hosted emergency responders from Los Angeles County EMS Agency Region I, which conducted a training onsite at Direct Relief’s Santa Barbara headquarters. During the session, Direct Relief’s Director of Operations Doug Froelich briefed the group about Direct Relief’s mission and operational capacity. (Lara Cooper/Direct Relief)

Safety-Net Clinics, Primary Care Groups Gather in California

Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief President & CEO, provides the closing remarks at the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics’ annual Charitable Healthcare Symposium on October 13th, 2023. (Katie Lewis/Direct Relief)

Taryn Ouellette and Marisa Barnes share information about Direct Relief at the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics’ Annual Charitable Healthcare Symposium on October 12th, 2023. (Rose Levy/Direct Relief)

Annie Vu, Direct Relief Senior Manager of Program Operations, pictured at the California Primary Care Association annual conference.

This week, the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics convened its 2023 Charitable Healthcare Symposium, which gathered free and charitable clinics from across the U.S. Direct Relief staff attended the conference, including President and CEO Thomas Tighe, who spoke at the closing session for the event on Friday.

NAFC and its members are part of the nation’s healthcare safety net, and Direct Relief has supported their work with donations of medicines and other medical products, emergency support, and funding. In total, Direct Relief has provided $1 billion in medical aid and $12.5 million in grant funding to hundreds of free & charitable clinics and charitable pharmacies.

Direct Relief staff also attended the California Primary Care Association’s annual conference in Los Angeles, where staff had the opportunity to connect with health centers across the state. In the past 15 years, Direct Relief has supported health centers in California with 15,300 shipments of prescription medicines and over-the-counter items, collectively valued at $125.7M, and $20.6M in cash grants for disaster response, health equity, and resilient power, and chronic disease management programs.

Speedrun Colosseum Raises Support for Emergency Response

More than $35,000 was raised for emergency response efforts after speedrunners convened in Las Vegas for the the second annual Speedrun Colosseum live-streamed gaming event. The event featuring some of the world’s best video game speedrunners and was streamed on Twitch, the leading social video platform and community for gamers.

This year’s event was hosted by longtime speedrunner Asa “Spikevegeta” Tims and featured 30 of the world’s most talented gamers who perform intense challenges and complete games as quickly as possible, including top performers for the popular new releases Elden Ring and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The event has raised $100,000 for Direct Relief since it began last year.