Direct Relief to Airlift 76 Tons of Medicine and Medical Supplies to Puerto Rico

The Direct Relief-chartered MD-11 cargo jet will depart Miami for San Juan on Oct. 28 with $21 million (wholesale) in medications and supplies, including extensive quantities of intravenous solutions, nutritionals, insect repellant, and prescription medications for a range of acute conditions and chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. 

The medicine and supplies were donated by 44 healthcare companies. Each of the 300 items in the shipment has been specifically requested by 19 tertiary hospitals and emergency centers, 20 nonprofit community health centers, and the Puerto Rico Department of Health.  

Direct Relief for the past eight years has been supporting a network of nonprofit community health centers in Puerto Rico on an ongoing basis.  Prior to Hurricane Maria, the organization had been coordinating with the Department of Health to assist with the medical evacuees from neighboring islands after Hurricane Irma two weeks prior.  Over the past month, Direct Relief's emergency response in Puerto Rico has included 54 shipments to 27 facilities totaling $3.6 million (wholesale). 

Direct Relief also has committed an initial $300,000 in financial assistance to Puerto Rico's primary care association and its 20 nonprofit members that collectively operate 62 clinical sites in 53 municipalities throughout Puerto Rico. 

About Direct Relief 

Established in 1948 with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies, Direct Relief delivers lifesaving medical resources throughout the world – without regard to politics, religion, ethnic identities, or ability to pay. With operations spanning more than 70 countries and all 50 states in the U.S., Direct Relief is the only charitable nonprofit to obtain Verified Accredited Wholesale Distributor (VAWD) accreditation by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Among other distinctions, Direct Relief earns a perfect score of 100 from independent evaluator Charity Navigator, was listed among the world's most innovative nonprofits by Fast Company, and has received the CECP Directors' Award, the Drucker Prize for Nonprofit Innovation, and the President's Award from Esri for excellence in GIS mapping. For more information, please visit https://www.DirectRelief.org. 

SOURCE Direct Relief

Related Links

http://www.directrelief.org