"Direct Relief's immediate emergency response was undertaken with the recognition that long-term recovery would be a tremendous challenge," said Thomas Tighe, President and CEO of Direct Relief International. "Our most effective contribution is to provide direct support to trusted, local, well-run agencies and health professionals with the tools they needs to do their jobs. It was they who lost the most, and they who will be there in the long-run to rebuild their communities." 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.
One year after tsunami, Direct Relief International remains committed to providing vital medical resources
One year after tsunami, Direct Relief International remains committed to providing vital medical resources
Direct Relief furnished over $50 million in direct aid through emergency medical shipments and targeted cash grants
SANTA BARBARA, CA (December 15, 2005) - One year after the South Asian tsunami on December 26, 2004, Direct Relief International has furnished over $50 million in direct aid to the region and remains intensely involved in efforts to address both current and long-term needs.
More than 225,000 people were killed by the tsunami, which also displaced 1.5 million more people in coastal areas and caused enormous loss of property, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
In a year-end report issued today, the California-based organization reported:
- $14.3 million in contributions designated for the tsunami response;
- Providing 158 tons of medicines and supplies worth over $41.7 million (wholesale) through 51 shipments to 28 partners;
- Making emergency cash grants of $8.4 million to frontline health clinics and facilities;
- Provided over four million courses of treatment to tsunami survivors.
With extensive experience in emergency response, a strong network of partner facilities and organizations in the affected area, working with longstanding partner healthcare companies, Direct Relief drew from its existing inventory of prescription medicines and supplies and was able to respond quickly, effectively, and on a large scale. Emergency medical shipments were airlifted within 72 hours. Within the first two weeks, 24 tons (48,000 lbs.) of material aid had been sent to hospitals, clinics, medical outreach programs, and healthcare professionals through 13 separate air-freight shipments. The response was enhanced by FedEx, which provided extensive air transport and logistics assistance. Over 95 companies have made product contributions to assist in the response.
"Direct Relief's immediate emergency response was undertaken with the recognition that long-term recovery would be a tremendous challenge," said Thomas Tighe, President and CEO of Direct Relief International. "Our most effective contribution is to provide direct support to trusted, local, well-run agencies and health professionals with the tools they needs to do their jobs. It was they who lost the most, and they who will be there in the long-run to rebuild their communities."
The generous outpouring of support in tsunami designated cash contributions totaled $14.3 million from over 30,000 individuals, companies, and foundations in the weeks following the tsunami. Direct Relief has spent or committed a total of $9,503,309 or 66% of the total and plans to use the remaining $5 million by the end of its fiscal year on March 31, 2006. The organization adopted a strict policy of using 100% of all tsunami contributions for only direct tsunami expenditures and is absorbing all administrative costs associated with the tsunami response.
Consistent with the organization's longstanding policy, all medical material and financial resources were specifically requested by our partner health leaders and professionals from local hospitals, clinics, and health organizations. Direct Relief targeted high priority needs and the organization's contributions have helped jumpstart local health services, rebuild essential health infrastructure, enable emergency transportation, and finance the construction of water and sanitation systems.
In its continuing effort to provide full disclosure on its activities, Direct Relief has also published on its website extensive summaries on each cash grant that the organization has allocated. The following are a few examples of Direct Relief contributions and results:
- 90 villages located along the southern and eastern coastline of Sri Lanka have access to healthcare services through 30 Direct Relief-funded rural health posts and dispensaries;
- Construction of 13 community clinics in India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, including ones that specialize in maternal and child health services, now provide medical services to tsunami-affected people and communities;
- Over 168,800 families in Sri Lanka and India are being protected from malaria and other insect-borne diseases through the provision of 170,100 insecticide-treated mosquito nets and fogging devices;
- Thousands of people living in relief camps and isolated villages throughout the region have received critically needed emergency and general medical services through the provision of three mobile medical units, 10 ambulances, 16 medical support vehicles, and the financing of hundreds of outreach programs and medical camps in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands;
- Twelve tribes of aboriginal inhabitants, living in relative isolation before the tsunami, now have access to primary medical services through the reconstruction and expansion of 34 primary care centers and subcenters;
- A Direct Relief purchased CAT scan installed at the Ampara General Hospital in Sri Lanka will enable accurate diagnoses for internal injuries and unidentified abdominal pain that will greatly reduce the morbidity and mortality rates;
- Public health radio programs in Banda Aceh, Indonesia helped improve healthy living through targeted and tailored health message for both literate and illiterate populations;
- Over 5,000 people have access to clean water and sanitation through the construction of 345 latrines & toilets, 54 water tanks, 125 water wells, and the cleaning of 1,970 water wells in tsunami-affected areas of Sri Lanka and Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
"Although public attention has largely faded, the effects of the tsunami remain profound on people living in tsunami-affected areas and Direct Relief remains committed to furnishing health services and rebuilding lives and communities that remain," said Tighe.
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, California. For 57 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. In 2005, the organization provided more than $119 million (wholesale value) in medicines, supplies and equipment to health projects in 53 countries, enough provisions to keep hundreds of local health professionals and clinics productively engaged and provide full courses of medical treatment for over 22 million people. Direct Relief also supports critical health and emergency programs throughout California State and in Santa Barbara County. Direct Relief International is recognized as a "4-Star" charity by Charity Navigator, an online service that reviews and evaluates U.S. nonprofit organizations. Direct Relief was cited by Forbes magazine in 2005 as a U.S. charity with 100% efficiency and the Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked Direct Relief as the largest non-academic charity in California. The organization's website is www.directrelief.org
MEDIA CONTACT: Juliana Minsky (805) 962-3700
GENERAL INFORMATION: Direct Relief International (805) 964-4767
