2023 in Review

A high-water rescue vehicle donated by Direct Relief for search and rescue A units in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties, was used last week during high water rescues resulting from heavy rainfall in California earlier this week. (Direct Relief photo)

By Maeve Ozimec

December 29, 2023

Over the past twelve months, Direct Relief has delivered 21,800 shipments of requested medical aid to 55 U.S. states and territories and 88 countries worldwide.

The shipments contained 578.9 million defined daily doses of medication and supplies, including antibiotics, prenatal vitamins, personal care kits for those displaced by disasters and emergencies, vaccines, cancer treatment therapies, insulin, and more.

2023 at a Glance

Direct Relief responded to a range of events in 2023, from natural disasters to war. The organization worked with countless health providers and community members who stepped up to help others around them. Below are some of their stories.

Throughout a Tumultuous 2023, Ordinary People Achieved the Extraordinary

Supporting Local Search and Rescue

In 2023, Direct Relief, in coordination with the California Office of Emergency Services, donated multiple emergency response vehicles to bolster search and rescue efforts in California.

Southern California, where Direct Relief’s headquarters is located, experienced torrential rain last week, with some areas receiving over 15 inches.

During these rains, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office conducted its first in-county deployment of the Medcat, a rescue vehicle donated by Direct Relief earlier this year. The vehicle assisted in the evacuation of seven residents and 10 animals as floodwaters rose.

In addition to the Medcat, Direct Relief also donated a search and rescue truck to Santa Barbara County in July to support local rescue efforts.