×

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.

Mpox Response: Direct Relief Channels Funding, PPE to Support Health Efforts in Africa

Personal protective equipment, critical in protecting health workers treating mpox patients, and $50,000 to support prevention efforts will support local groups as vaccine distribution coordination continues.

News

Africa

Medical staff work with patients at the Jericho Road Wellness Center in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. The organization has received a $50,000 grant from Direct Relief to support mpox response and treatment. (Jericho Road photo)
By Lara Cooper

In response to the escalating mpox outbreak in Africa, Direct Relief announced today that the organization would commit funds to support prevention efforts as well as provide an infusion of personal protective equipment, or PPE, with the goal of protecting health workers.

Direct Relief is awarding a grant of $50,000 to the nonprofit Jericho Road for mpox response, which will be used to fund prevention and treatment programs in the three IDP (internally displaced people) camps near their facility in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or DRC. Jericho Road plans to operate and equip health checkup stations, temporary isolation units for mpox patients that are awaiting hospital transfer and hold mpox awareness and preventative health training.

The commitment comes as Direct Relief continues to coordinate vaccine delivery to countries most impacted by the mpox outbreak. On Sept. 12, officials from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 107 new deaths and 3,160 new cases had been recorded over the preceding seven days.

“We are extremely grateful for our continued partnership with Direct Relief. It is our mission to bring quality healthcare to our most vulnerable neighbors. We are committed to that effort, especially in this moment,” said Chantal Mandro, Clinic Director for Jericho Road’s Wellness Clinic in Goma, DRC. “The most recent financial support from Direct Relief will allow us to further support the folks living in the camps near our clinic and to keep our staff and their families safe, as we do so. At Jericho Road we strive to love our neighbor, as best we can.”

Direct Relief has worked with Jericho Road during previous outbreaks, including during the 2019 Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC. Direct Relief and Jericho Road worked to deliver PPE to the North Kivu provincial Department of Health, and the organizations are exploring the same approach as North Kivu is experiencing some of the highest rates of mpox in Africa.

The Jericho Road Wellness Center is based in Goma, DRC, near three large IDP camps in North Kivu, and the spread of mpox in these camps was noted as an area of concern by Africa CDC. The province of North Kivu is home to over 2.5 million internally displaced people, and conflict and insecurity throughout the region have caused the additional displacement of over 500,000 people in North Kivu over the last year, which has played a factor in the recent mpox outbreak.

“Direct Relief is honored to support Jericho Road’s Wellness Center, where staff are deeply committed to providing care to the community each day, and now are stepping up even more to help patients impacted by this outbreak,” said Jeffrey Samuel, Direct Relief’s Regional Director for Africa. “Protecting and equipping health workers is a top priority, and these funds and medical support will help staff deliver care at a time when it is urgently needed.”

Jericho Road’s Wellness Center receives an average of 200 patients per month from the camps, and through their relationship with the regional ministry of health, has access to the camps and the Provincial Hospital, which is the main referral center for mpox patients in Goma.

In addition to funds, Direct Relief is assembling comprehensive kits for medical providers and patients affected by mpox. Each kit includes personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns, N-95 masks, goggles, and shoe covers to protect 100 healthcare workers. The kits also contain medications for pain management and skin irritation, wound care supplies, and disinfectant wipes for up to 1,000 patients.

Filed Under: , , , ,

Giving is Good Medicine

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