×

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.

Building on First Year Success, Direct Relief, Lilly Expand Cold Chain Storage Effort

Direct Relief will purchase and install approximately 600 medical-grade refrigerators or other cold storage systems to hundreds of healthcare facilities in resource-limited settings throughout Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and Asia.

News

Cold Chain

Health workers with the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka pictured with Direct Relief-donated insulin products and pharmaceutical-grade refrigerators. Direct Relief and Lilly are expanding cold chain capacity to more countries this year. (Courtesy photo)

Direct Relief today announced continued support of the cold-chain storage infrastructure program that aims to improve access to temperature-sensitive essential medicines in resource-limited settings in low- and middle-income countries, or LMICs.

With a commitment of $4.3 million in funding support from Eli Lilly and Company, Direct Relief will purchase and install approximately 600 medical-grade refrigerators or other cold storage systems to hundreds of healthcare facilities in resource-limited settings in LMICs throughout Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and Asia.

Building on the success of the project’s first phase, where 151 refrigerators were installed by Direct Relief across 82 clinics in 18 countries with support from Lilly, this expansion will help address the significant need for additional storage capacity in resource-limited settings. This ensures that temperature-sensitive medicines including donated medicines, can reach patients in resource-limited settings where access to refrigeration remains a critical barrier.

The Importance of Cold Chain in Healthcare

Cold chain—transporting and storing medicines at specific temperatures—is essential for preserving the effectiveness of many treatments, including biologics and other temperature-sensitive medicines. Insulin, for instance, an essential medicine for people living with diabetes, requires refrigeration at a constant 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. The World Health Organization’s Global Diabetes Compact has called on improvements, including expanding cold storage, to ensure medicines are available to those who need them most.

“Lilly’s commitment to health equity goes beyond our own medicines. We use our resources and expertise in key disease areas to drive sustainable solutions to some of the world’s toughest health challenges,” said Cynthia Cardona, Lilly’s Vice President of Social Impact. “Lilly is proud to continue supporting Direct Relief’s cold-chain efforts in LMICs, following the successful completion of the first phase. Through Direct Relief’s expertise and Lilly’s support, we aim to contribute to expanding access to essential medicines in resource-limited settings in LMICs.”

Lilly’s support for Direct Relief’s cold chain initiative is part of the Lilly 30×30 initiative, which aims to improve access to quality healthcare for 30 million people living in resource-limited settings annually by 2030. This effort builds on Lilly’s long history of advancing equitable access to diabetes care and medicines.

“Direct Relief is privileged to receive support from Lilly yet again, expanding cold storage to even more health providers, giving them the opportunity to safely store essential medications,” said Kelsey Grodzovsky, Director of Programs for Direct Relief. “Building refrigeration capacity is key to increasing medication access in low- and middle-income countries around the world, and this infrastructure will allow more patients to receive critical therapies.”

Through this program, Lilly and Direct Relief are reaffirming their shared commitment to expanding access to temperature-sensitive medicines, ensuring that patients in low- and middle-income countries can receive the care they need to live healthy lives.

Giving is Good Medicine

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