Direct Relief staff has been coordinating with clinic associations in affected areas to determine the specific medical needs that exist and has offered its current inventory of $35 million in medicines, medical supplies, and personal care items as may be needed. 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.
Thomas Tighe's Direct Relief International today announced that it has committed an initial $250,000 in cash to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina
Katrina: Direct Relief International Commits $250,000 in Cash to Relief Effort; Organization Also Makes $35 Million Medical Inventory Available to Support Health Services
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Sept. 1 (AScribe Newswire) -- Direct Relief International today announced that it has committed an initial $250,000 in cash to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"We are deeply concerned about the welfare of our fellow Americans on the Gulf Coast who have experienced such massive loss," said Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe. "We will do everything within our capacity to assist them through what will be an enormously challenging recovery."
The initial cash commitment will be used to provide emergency cash assistance to organizations providing urgent services, such as free and community clinics that are receiving increasing numbers of patients from evacuated areas.
Direct Relief staff has been coordinating with clinic associations in affected areas to determine the specific medical needs that exist and has offered its current inventory of $35 million in medicines, medical supplies, and personal care items as may be needed.
"This is an initial cash commitment from our existing resources, and we are committing these funds regardless of how much money we may receive," said Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe. "If we receive more, we will increase our commitment."
Established in 1948, Direct Relief is a privately funded, nonsectarian humanitarian agency that provides medical assistance to impoverished areas and in response to humanitarian emergencies.
Direct Relief has extensive experience responding to both international crises and supporting safety net clinics in the United States. The organization is ranked as among the most efficient in the United States and maintains very strict policies with regard to donors' funds that are designated for specific emergencies.
One-hundred percent of all Hurricane Katrina contributions will be spent only on activities directly related to helping people affected by Hurricane Katrina. None of the contributions will be used to pay current staff members or administrative or other expenses the organization intended to incur prior to the hurricane.
"In the midst of this still unfolding tragedy, it is inspiring to again see the depth of the compassion and generosity among people for their fellow citizens in need," said Tighe. "Our job is to make sure this generosity is honored by serving in the most efficient, productive way the people for whom the contributions are made."
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CONTACT: Juliana Minsky, 805-962-3700, jm@surfmedia.com
ABOUT DIRECT RELIEF INTERNATIONAL: Founded in 1948 by two immigrant businessmen, Direct Relief International is a non-profit, non-sectarian humanitarian assistance organization based in Santa Barbara, Calif. For 56 years, Direct Relief has provided medical material assistance in the form of pharmaceuticals, supplies, and new and refurbished medical equipment to over 3,000 charitable health facilities worldwide and within the United States. In 2004, the organization provided more than $122 million (wholesale value) in medicines, supplies and equipment to health projects in 54 countries, enough provisions to keep hundreds of local health professionals and clinics productively engaged and provide full courses of medical treatment for over 20 million people. Direct Relief International is recognized as a "4-Star" charity by Charity Navigator, the online service that reviews and evaluates U.S. nonprofit organizations. Direct Relief was cited by Forbes Magazine in 2004 as a U.S charity with 100 percent efficiency and in 2003 by Consumers Digest as one of only five of the leading U.S. charitable organizations evaluated to receive 99 percent or better efficiency ranking in their 2003 survey of major U.S. charities. Worth Magazine named Direct Relief among "America's Best 100 Charities" in its December 2001/January 2002 edition, and The Chronicle of Philanthropy continues to rank Direct Relief as the largest private international relief organization in California. The organization's website is http://www.directrelief.org .
Media Contact: Juliana Minsky, 805-962-3700, jm@surfmedia.com
