Direct Relief’s Hurricane Preparedness program is a million-dollar initiative whereby large quantities of medicines and supplies are pre-positioned at health centers, clinics and hospitals in at-risk areas to treat vulnerable people during emergencies. Support this program at http://directrelief.org/donate

1. Direct Relief assembles Hurricane Preparedness Packs during
National Hurricane Preparedness Week
The program is a million-dollar initiative in The packs eliminate shipping delays and ensure
What is the hurricane preparedness program? Why are the packs important?
preparation of hurricane season (June 1 to Nov. resources are available to individuals who are
30) whereby large quantities of medicines and low-income, have chronic medical conditions or
supplies are pre-positioned at partner health have limited access to transportation to evacuate.
centers, clinics and hospitals in at-risk areas in
the U.S. and abroad to be used during
emergencies to treat vulnerable people. Contents remaining after hurricane season are
What if a disaster doesn’t hit?
absorbed into clinic inventories to assure that the
Each U.S. –bound pack contains enough resources are utilized and benefit their
medicines and supplies to treat 100 patients for vulnerable patient populations.
three to five days after a hurricane hits. The
modules shipped internationally are much
larger, containing enough supplies to treat 5,000 The US kits contain:
What’s in the packs?
people for a month following a disaster. • Anti-infection and antibiotic medicines for
injection, topical, and oral use
• Diabetes testing supplies including glucose
The program has expanded to cover 50 sites in meters, test strips, and lancets
Where are they sent?
the U.S. in nine states – Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi, Texas, medications for diabetes management
• Insulin, insulin, syringes, and oral
Virginia and South Carolina. The international • Medications to treat hypertension
modules are sent to 10 partner clinics in seven • Aspirin, acetaminophen, and other pain
countries –the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, management medicines
Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica and • Inhalers to treat patients with asthma
Nicaragua. • Prescription drugs for the management of
• Emergency epinephrine doses for severe
The program began six years ago following
behavioral health conditions
allergic reactions
How did the program start?
lessons-learned from Hurricanes Katrina and • Medications for seizure control
Rita. The contents of the pack were originally
• Medicines to prevent and treat eye
determined as part of Direct Relief’s participation
on the Texas Blue Ribbon Commission on
• Stethoscope, blood pressure cuffs and
Emergency Preparedness and Response.
infections
The contents of the packs and modules are
• Gauze and elastic bandages for wound care
reviewed annually based on input from partners.
exam gloves
Direct Relief International is California’s largest medical relief organization, active in all 50 states and 70
About Direct Relief International
countries. It works with more than 1,000 health clinics across the U.S. to assist in emergencies and an
ongoing basis, providing them with free medications for people in need. The organization has been among
the world’s largest medical suppliers in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, has top charity ratings, including
four-star and “top-notch” rating from Charity Navigator, and a 100% fundraising efficiency rating from
Forbes magazine.