Direct Relief International Medical Suplies arrive in Sri Lanka



Direct Relief International Medical Suplies arrive in Sri Lanka

DIRECT RELIEF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES ARRIVE IN SRI LANKA WITH HELP FROM FEDEX CARGO PLANE

08 Jan 2005 03:08:00 GMT
Source: NGO latest
Direct Relief International
Direct Relief International (DRI) - USA
Website: http://www.directrelief.org
Colombo, Sri Lanka

A plane loaded with 26 Pallets of Direct Relief International medical supplies that were specifically requested, weighing over 7 tons, arrives in Colombo Airport Saturday afternoon, local time (16:00 hours or 4:00 pm) via a donated FedEx cargo plane. The medicines, medical and surgical supplies provided are in response to specific requests from local Sri Lankan health organizations. The FedEx plane also carries additional emergency medical supplies that were contributed by U.S.-based colleague organizations Heart-to-Heart International and World Vision, which are also members of the Partnership for Quality Medical Donations.

Direct Relief International Vice President of Programs Chris G. Brady and Asia & Middle East Program Officer Kelly Darnell will oversee the distribution of the medical materials. Brady and Darnell will be escorted to receive the FedEx shipment by representatives of the Sri Lanka Ministry of Health.

Among the items from Direct Relief International are 200,000 needles and syringes; 5 pallets of the antibiotics loracarbef, amoxicillin, and cephalexin; suction catheters and urine catheters of various sizes; Motrin and metronidazole; 28 kits of instruments for minor surgical procedures and surgical sponges; and general supplies including sterile gauze and bandages.

An additional 6 pallets of erythromycin furnished by World Vision will be consolidated with Direct Relief-furnished material. This was among the specifically requested items from Sri Lanka that Direct Relief did not possess in its current inventory.

“Direct Relief’s role and support will continue throughout this acute phase and the subsequent stages of reconstruction and development,” said Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief International President and CEO. “Our aim in this emergency, as in our day-to-day efforts throughout the world, is to ensure not only that patients receive needed care, but that the local health systems are strengthened and the local health professionals are better equipped to serve their fellow citizens.” Tighe continued, “Neither Direct Relief nor any U.S.- based or international aid organization has more of a stake in the success of this effort than the residents of these affected areas.”

Brady and Darnell will receive the FedEx transport on Saturday, January 8 and travel in Sri Lanka and other affected areas in the region through January 15.

Direct Relief International

Founded in 1948, Direct Relief International is a non-profit, non-sectarian humanitarian assistance organization based in Santa Barbara, California. For 56 years, Direct Relief has provided medical material assistance in the form of pharmaceuticals, supplies, and medical equipment to over 3,000 charitable health facilities worldwide and within the United States. The organization’s website is www.directrelief.org.

When this story was posted in January 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:

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January 8, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Zambia RPCV Karla Berg interviews 1,374 people on Peace 7 Jan Breaking Taboo, Mandela Says Son Died of AIDS 6 Jan Dreadlocked PCV raises eyebrows in Africa 6 Jan RPCV Jose Ravano directs CARE's efforts in Sri Lanka 6 Jan Persuading Retiring Baby Boomers to Volunteer 6 Jan Inventor of "Drown Proofing" retires 6 Jan NPCA Membership approves Board Changes 5 Jan Timothy Shriver announces "Rebuild Hope Fund" 5 Jan More Water Bottles, Fewer Bullets 4 Jan Poland RPCV Rebecca Parker runs Solterra Books 2 Jan Peace Corps Fund plans event for September 30 Dec RPCV Carmen Bailey recounts bout with cerebral malaria 28 Dec more top stories...

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