Direct Relief Steps Up Response in Face of COVID-19 Surge
As the COVID crisis has intensified across the globe in recent weeks, Santa Barbara-based humanitarian agency Direct Relief has accelerated its live saving efforts.
Since the start of December, the organization has made 2,623 shipments totaling 458,815 lbs. (229 tons) of medical material aid valued at $199.5 million to 1,010 partner organizations in 48 U.S. states and territories and 43 countries.
The material aid shipments provided upon request to health organizations include both medical supplies and essential medications for patients without the means to pay, as well as more than 12 million units of personal protective gear needed for in-person medical visits and care of COVID patients.
Direct Relief has also issued $5.2 million in grants in recent weeks. Among the grants provided, $1 million was granted to the Navajo Nation and health agencies providing services to Navajo people, who have experienced disproportionate loss of life from the pandemic.
Other grants of $250,000 each were provided to the Massachusetts and Mississippi associations of community health centers, whose member organizations serve people hit disproportionally hard by the pandemic – over 90% live in or near poverty, and more than 63% of whom are members of racial or ethnic minority groups.
For more information on Direct Relief’s response, please visit: https://www.directrelief.org/emergency/coronavirus-outbreak/.
Direct Relief
Donate now!
directrelief.org
Vice President, Partnerships and Philanthropy: Dean Axelrod
(805) 879-4932
Mission
Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies – without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay.
Begin to Build a Relationship
We know you care about where your money goes and how it is used. Connect with this organization’s leadership in order to begin to build this important relationship. Your email will be sent directly to this organization’s director of development and/or Executive Director.
When Cholera hit Somaliland, many patients were unable to access early interventions and rehydration treatments due to lack of resources and transportation. Without Direct Relief’s Cholera Kit, particularly IV fluids and oral rehydration salts, 50% of our patients could have died. Direct Relief’s timely response gave us the tools and encouragement we needed to fight the outbreak.
Maximizing Your Impact: How Direct Relief Stretches Every Dollar
Direct Relief ensures 100% of every donation goes directly to delivering aid, honoring donor intent with full transparency. By leveraging billions in in-kind medical donations, the organization amplifies each dollar’s impact, delivering more aid than cash alone could achieve.
“Donors appreciate that their money is used efficiently to deliver aid where it’s needed most,” says Dean Axelrod, VP of Partnerships in Philanthropy.
Direct Relief’s commitment to accountability and transparency builds trust, giving donors confidence that their contributions directly support critical programs and those in need.
Adds Dean Axelrod, VP of Partnerships in Philanthropy: “The dream is to never have to say no.”
Key Supporters
Emma Carrasco
Adam Cooper and Melissa Fleisher
Mary M. Dwyer
Henrietta Holsman Fore and Richard Fore
Heitham Hassoun
Mark and Kim Linehan
Jay McGonigle
Harry and Jacqueline McMahon
Annalisa Pizzarello
and Robert Conway
Marla Salmon
Mark and Lynda Schwartz
Perry Siatis
Laurie Siegel and Joseph Nosofsky
Tom Strickland
Thomas and Heather Sturgess
Elizabeth A. Toro and Mark Hauser