June 24, 2005: Headlines: Figures: COS - Thailand: NGOs: Staff: Chief of Staff: NGO latest: Direct Relief International has furnished over $30 million in direct aid
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June 24, 2005: Headlines: Figures: COS - Thailand: NGOs: Staff: Chief of Staff: NGO latest: Direct Relief International has furnished over $30 million in direct aid
Direct Relief International has furnished over $30 million in direct aid
Thomas Tighe, the head of Direct Relief International, was formerly the Chief of Staff of the Peace Corps and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand.
Direct Relief International has furnished over $30 million in direct aid
Tsunami: Six Months Later
$30 Million in Aid Provided, Intense Ongoing Efforts
24 Jun 2005 23:43:00 GMT
Source: NGO latest
Direct Relief International
Direct Relief International (DRI) - USA
Website: http://www.directrelief.org
California organization has furnished 126 tons of essential medical material, including 3 million courses of treatment to region’s survivors. Over $5.6 million in cash grants to meet emergency needs and jumpstart long-term improvements
June 24, 2005, Santa Barbara, Calif. – Six months after the South Asian tsunami on December 26, 2004, Direct Relief International has furnished over $30 million in direct aid to the region and remains intensely involved in efforts to address both current and long-term needs.
More than 250,000 people were killed by the tsunami, which also displaced millions more people in coastal areas and caused enormous loss of property, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
Among the first international groups to respond in December, Direct Relief has furnished over 126 tons (252,000 lbs.) of medicines, supplies, and medical equipment to the region through 42 shipments to Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, and Somalia. These materials contain over 3.2 million courses of treatment and have a wholesale value of over $25.2 million.
In addition, the organization has provided over $5.6 million in cash grants to international nongovernmental organizations and local organizations within the countries to address emergency needs and to rebuild housing, water systems, and health facilities.
Direct Relief received over $12 million in cash contributions to aid tsunami victims from over 30,000 individuals, companies, and foundations in the weeks following the tsunami. The organization adopted a strict policy of using 100% of all tsunami contributions for direct tsunami expenditures only, and is absorbing all administrative costs associated with the tsunami response.
“Although public attention has largely faded, the effects of the tsunami remain profound on people living in tsunami-affected areas and continued intense efforts are required,” said Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief International President and CEO.
In early April, Tighe met with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health, the Vice Chairman of Health for Aceh Province in Indonesia, and dozens of local officials from government and nongovernmental organizations in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand to coordinate response activities.
“The initial response avoided the worst-case scenario of massive disease outbreaks and further loss of life, but the long hard slog of furnishing health services and rebuilding lives, communities, and livelihoods remains,” said Tighe.
Direct Relief’s tsunami response efforts, consistent with the organization’s philosophy, are to strengthen and rebuild the local health infrastructure while keeping its own organizational expenses to a minimum.
“Those who have most at stake are the people who will always live in these countries, and Direct Relief is committed to providing these local groups and leaders with the resources given to us for their benefit,” said Tighe.
During the last six months, Direct Relief’s tsunami-response efforts have included:
+ Treating tsunami survivors who suffered near drowning, saltwater aspiration, and blunt chest trauma
+ Addressing acute traumatic injuries
+ Treating a range of bacterial and fungal infections by providing an extensive assortment of antibiotic and antifungal agents
+ Preventing malnutrition deficiencies by supplying nutritional products
+ Providing 40,000 treated mosquito nets to prevent malaria
+ Stocking and re-equipping healthcare clinics and hospitals
+ Financing the construction of 34 primary healthcare centers on the tsunami-affected Andaman and Nicobar Islands ($1.7 million grant)
+ Rebuilding 46 homes for hospital staff members in Galle, Sri Lanka
+ Repairing 1,200 community water wells in Aceh Province, Indonesia
+ Procuring 28 ambulances and mobile medical units
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Story Source: NGO latest
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Figures; COS - Thailand; NGOs; Staff; Chief of Staff
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