Direct Relief Makes $32 Million in Medical Inventories Available to Colombia and Peru amid Historic Flooding

GOLETA, Calif., April 6, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Direct Relief today committed an initial $200,000 in cash and made available $32 million in medical resources for relief and recovery efforts in Colombia and Peru, where historic flooding and mudslides have claimed hundreds of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands more.

Today's commitment follows several emergency air shipments from Direct Relief of medical aid totaling $7.8 million and 38 tons (76,000 lbs.).

"People in Peru and Colombia are facing severe risks in the wake of devastating storms, and Direct Relief is extending support to our capable partner organizations providing frontline care in a still unfolding, complex emergency," said Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe.

Water sources often become compromised after serious flooding, which can lead to a host of health issues. Cholera and other diseases related to poor sanitation pose additional threats to public health. Neglected tropical diseases including trachoma, soil-transmitted pathogens, and various bacterial and parasitic infections also present risks to people in the area.

Bolstered by strong support from corporate partners that include AbbVie, Allergan, Actavis, Baxter, BD, Boehringer Ingelheim, Teva, Pfizer, and Unilever, Direct Relief is sending antibiotics, antivirals, rehydration supplies and hygiene kits. FedEx has provided emergency airlift support.

In Peru, Direct Relief is assisting four partner organizations providing emergency services and conducting medical missions in close coordination with the Peruvian Ministry of Health. Patrulla Area Colombiana (PAC, a Colombian NGO of pilots and medics), Asociacion Paz Peru, Socios en Salud (Partners in Health), and Asociacion Vida Peru have received and distributed $3.9 million of essential medications and supplies totaling 17.5 tons to eight hard-hit regions: Lima, Huarmey, Piura, Pedregal Alto, Simbila, Tumbes, Casma, and Arequipa. Direct Relief also is funding the deployment of 20 medical personnel to Piura to provide medical care and deliver seven tons of medicine and medical supplies.

In Colombia, Direct Relief this week sent an initial air shipment of medical aid to La Orden de Malta Colombiana for emergency health services in Mocoa. Based on additional requests from the Colombian Navy and PAC, Direct Relief is preparing an 18-ton airlift of medical aid for delivery in the coming days.

About Direct Relief
Established in 1948 with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies, Direct Relief delivers lifesaving medical resources throughout the world – without regard to politics, religion, ethnic identities, or ability to pay. With operations spanning more than 80 countries and 50 U.S. states, Direct Relief is the only charitable nonprofit to obtain Verified Accredited Wholesale Distributor (VAWD) accreditation by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Among other distinctions, Direct Relief earns a perfect score of 100 from independent evaluator Charity Navigator, has received the CECP Directors' Award, the Drucker Prize for Nonprofit Innovation, the President's Award from Esri for excellence in GIS mapping, and been named among the world's most innovative nonprofits by Fast Company. For more information, please visit https://www.directrelief.org/.

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SOURCE Direct Relief