×

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.

Medical Aid Arrives in Iraqi Kurdistan, Egypt, and More

Direct Relief's Humanitarian Activity for the week of 05/10/2024 - 05/17/2024

News

Operational Update

Children in Bardarash, one of the many camps for refugees and internally displaced people in northern Iraq. The area receives donated medication from Direct Relief through the DOH clinics. (Photo Courtesy of Duhok DOH, the regional public health authority in Iraqi Kurdistan)
By Staff

Over the past seven days, Direct Relief has delivered 507 shipments of requested medical aid to 46 U.S. states and territories and 12 countries worldwide.

The shipments contained 11.2 million defined daily doses of medication and supplies, including insulin, prenatal vitamins, cardiovascular medications, and more.

Families Receive Medication in Iraqi Kurdistan

Iraqi Kurdistan, the Kurdish-populated part of northern Iraq, is home to over 1 million refugees and internally displaced people, or IDPs, following a genocidal ISIS campaign of the Yazidi ethnic minority group from 2014 to 2017. Public support to the IDP camps has dwindled or even formally terminated, and those living in the camps are now being told to return home to areas that remain hostile and unsafe.

A young patient meets with a doctor at a Duhok Directorate of Health-run clinic. (Photo courtesy of Duhok DOH, the regional public health authority in Iraqi Kurdistan)

Over the past 18 months, the region has seen a near-total withdrawal of foreign assistance. The result has been the suspension or deterioration of public services, economic and political volatility, and impending camp closures, compounding a humanitarian crisis for some of the most acutely marginalized groups in the region.

Medication shortages are also a challenge in the region, and Direct Relief has continued to serve as a medical supply stopgap through its support of the regional public health authority, the Duhok Directorate of Health. or DOH. In total, Direct Relief has mobilized 27 tons of medical aid worth over $86 million, including emergency prep and response products, medications for pediatric patients, cancer medication, and insulin.

IOM Egypt Receives Field Medic Packs

Recently, the International Organization for Migration, Egypt, provided 100 field medic packs to the Egyptian Ambulance Organization. Originally donated by Direct Relief, each backpack contains supplies and equipment to meet a variety of prevalent emergency-related medical issues, including infection control, diagnostics, trauma care, and personal protection tools.

A branch of the Egyptian Ministry of Health, the Egyptian Ambulance Organization operates a fleet of over 2,000 ambulances in Egypt, with many stationed at border crossing points providing emergency medical transport to people fleeing the conflicts in Gaza and Sudan.

Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai Shares about Breast Cancer Work in Ghana

Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, Ghanaian breast cancer surgeon and president of Breast Care International, visited Direct Relief headquarters along with her family on May 15, 2024. She presented to staff about the state of breast cancer care in Ghana, the work of BCI, and the importance of Direct Relief’s support.

Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, Ghanaian breast cancer surgeon and president of Breast Care International, or BCI, visited Direct Relief headquarters along with her family this week. BCI, an NGO dedicated to breast cancer prevention and control in Ghana, is a long-time partner of Direct Relief, receiving $95.2 million in donated medical products since 2014.

Dr. Addai shared that, in Ghana, 60 to 70 percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are already in advanced stages of the disease, due to the stigma and lack of education and awareness about the disease. Since its founding in 2002, BCI has taken a multifaceted approach to fighting breast cancer: educating women, facilitating needed medications from donors like Direct Relief to a network of health centers, and empowering survivors to share their stories.

Operational Snapshot

WORLDWIDE

Over the last week, Direct Relief shipped more than 3.8 million defined daily doses of medication outside the U.S.

Countries that received medical aid over the past week included:

  • Syria
  • Mongolia
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda
  • Ghana
  • Guatemala
  • Barbados
  • Jamaica
  • Malawi
  • Afghanistan
  • Honduras

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 491 shipments containing over eight tons of medications during the past seven days to organizations, including the following:

  • Welvista, South Carolina
  • NC MedAssist, North Carolina
  • St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy
  • CommunityHealth
  • The Agape Clinic
  • Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island
  • St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy Cincinnati
  • Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic Pharmacy
  • New Song Health Center dba Bolingbrook Christian Health Center
  • Charis Health Center, Tennessee

YEAR TO DATE

Since January 1, 2024, Direct Relief has delivered 8,881 shipments to 1,634 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 71 countries.

These shipments contained 161.2 million defined daily doses of medication totaling 2.6 million lbs.

Filed Under: , , , , , ,

Giving is Good Medicine

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