Preparing for Cyclone Hidaya in Kenya as medical aid leaves for 13 countries this week

Over the past seven days, Direct Relief has delivered 267 shipments of requested medical assistance to 37 U.S. states and territories and 13 countries worldwide.

The shipments contain 6.7 million defined daily doses of medications and supplies, including insulin, prenatal vitamins, oral rehydration tablets and more.

After floods, Kenya prepares for cyclone

Floods in Kenya are seen this week after landslides and floods inundated communities. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Vice President of the Republic of Kenya)

In Kenya, heavy rains and flash floods have left more than 200 dead, dozens missing and displaced more than 150,000 people in the provinces of Nairobi, Makueni, West Pokot and Machakos, according to the National Disaster Operations Center. The country has been deluged by heavy rains since March and is preparing for the landfall of Cyclone Hidaya, which is expected to make landfall on Friday in Kenya and Tanzania, where flood fatalities have also continued to rise into the hundreds.

Floods and resulting displacement can cause a host of health problems, including limited access to clean drinking water, the proliferation of water- and vector-borne diseases, power outages and damaged infrastructure that can limit travel to medical care. Those displaced from their homes may also face worsening health problems as they may be cut off from medications and equipment needed to treat chronic conditions, including diabetes, which can escalate into a crisis and the need for emergency care .

Direct Relief has a long history of supporting Kenya and has provided more than $40 million in medical assistance to health facilities across the country. This includes general medical support, insulin for patients treating diabetes and therapies for rare diseases. Kenyatta National Hospital is one hospital that has received this medical support from Direct Relief in the past, and the organization is communicating with the hospital regarding medical needs due to flooding and cyclone impacts. Direct Relief is also in contact with the Kenya Red Cross to support their emergency medical response and search and rescue teams. Direct Relief has also supported medical facilities in Tanzania with more than $74 million in medical assistance, including during times of disaster, such as Cyclone Idai in 2019.

Direct Relief will continue to monitor the impact of the storm on communities in Kenya and Tanzania and respond to requests for medical support as they become known.

Supporting health resilience in Jamaica ahead of hurricane season

Direct Relief this week announced a $3 million grant to Jamaica as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening resilience in the Caribbean. This contribution, which will support the installation of a large solar energy system at a central distribution facility for primary pharmaceutical products, comes as part of the renewal of its ongoing partnership with the island nation aimed at strengthening healthcare systems and infrastructure in light of the natural consequences of climate change. disasters and other emergencies.

Direct Relief employees met with members of the Jamaican Ministry of Health and Wellness to tour the National Health Fund pharmaceutical distribution facility and visit local health centers. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed to continue the flow of medical assistance and support to the national healthcare system.

Jamaica, like many other countries in the Caribbean, faces unique challenges in maintaining access to healthcare, especially in the aftermath of natural disasters such as hurricanes. The Direct Relief grant is intended to address these challenges by supporting initiatives that improve emergency preparedness, expand access to essential medical supplies and equipment, and strengthen healthcare infrastructure.

Haleon staff supports the construction of personal care packages

Over the past three months, Direct Relief has worked with Haleon employees to pack 5,300 hygiene kits at nine locations. (Direct Relief Photo)

Over the past three months, Direct Relief has worked with Haleon staff to pack 5,300 personal care packages, including basic hygiene items such as soap, shampoo and dental care products, across nine locations. Local organizations that received these kits, including NeoMed Center, Inc. and Corporación La Fondita de Jesús, attended these events to share more about their work within the community with the Haleon team.

The kits have been distributed to local organizations working with migrant and refugee populations, people experiencing homelessness or others in need of basic personal care items.

Operational snapshot

WORLDWIDE

Direct Relief shipped this past week more than 5.8 million defined daily doses of medication outside the US

Countries that received medical aid in the past week included:

  • Cambodia
  • Ethiopia
  • Uganda
  • Ukraine
  • Tanzania
  • Paraguay
  • Malawi
  • Dominican Republic
  • Sierra Leone
  • Nigeria

UNITED STATES

Immediate assistance provided 552 shipments of almost two tons of medicines over the past seven days to organizations, including the following:

  • Greene County Healthcare dba Contentnea Health, North Carolina
  • Cabell-Huntington Health Department, West Virginia
  • The People’s Health Clinic, Utah
  • The Agape Clinic, Texas
  • Jefferson Comprehensive Health Center, Inc., Mississippi
  • Riverside Health Center, West Virginia
  • Greater Killeen Free Clinic, Texas
  • Olympic Peninsula Community Clinic, Washington
  • Community Health Network, Pennsylvania
  • LCH Health and Community Services, Pennsylvania

YEAR TO PRESENT

Direct Relief has been delivering since January 1, 2024 7,932 shipments to 1,591 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 69 countries.

These shipments include 125.6 million defined daily doses of medication for a total of £2.4 million.

IN THE NEWS

Kee Cha-E-Nar Corporation will receive $250,000 from the Direct Relief Fund for Health Equity The Yurok Tribe

The healthcare sector will receive $3 million in direct aidJamaica Information Service

Midwifery in the age of climate change: lessons from the Maui wildfiresInternational Confederation of Midwives

Direct assistance to support family health in Ukraine – Angels in medicine

Direct Relief donates $3 million to healthcare sector – Philanthropy News Review

Direct Relief is donating $3 million to strengthen Jamaica’s healthcare system – Caribbean National Weekly

Expanding Hope: A New Dawn in Dnipro –Float