More than 14 tons of requested medical aid departed for Nepal from Direct Relief’s Santa Barbara, California, warehouse today in response to continued health needs from last week’s flash floods that killed more than 1,100 people, damaged infrastructure, and cut off large areas of the country from road access.
More than 4,500 people are still missing, and thousands have been displaced from their homes and are congregating in schools and other sites.
Critical Medical Supplies Depart for Post-Flood Health Needs
Direct Relief has staff on the ground in Nepal and is working in partnership with local groups to prevent secondary health risks, including waterborne diseases, interruptions to primary care and maternal health services, and other health issues that arise from long-term displacement and infrastructure damage.
The emergency shipment addresses urgent health needs reported by healthcare providers operating in flood-damaged districts:
- Infection Control: Broad-spectrum antibiotics and anti-infectives to treat waterborne bacterial infections and more.
- Dehydration & Clean Water: IV fluids (Lactated Ringer’s) and water purification supplies.
- Chronic Disease Management: Insulin, diabetes supplies, COPD, asthma, and hypertension medications.
- Emergency & Triage Support: Wound care kits, first aid essentials, field medic packs, and diagnostic equipment for mobile field clinics, including care taking place in shelters.
- Sanitation & Protection: Personal protective equipment, medical-grade disinfectants, and hygiene products for displaced people.
Medical aid from Direct Relief was already pre-positioned in the country when the disaster occurred, and local groups deployed to mountain areas within hours of the disaster to provide care. One of those groups was Mountain Heart Nepal, which specializes in medical outreach to remote communities in the Himalayan foothills.
Wednesday’s 14-ton shipment will be received by the group, which is continuing to provide medical care to flood-impacted areas.
More than 21 tons of medical aid are currently in process or en route to Nepal to support health efforts in response to the flooding. Wednesday’s shipment is part of an ongoing stream of medical shipments departing from Direct Relief’s warehouse this week, as well as from the organization’s distribution center in Europe.
Emergency Funds Supporting Local Groups
In addition to medical supplies departing for Nepal, the organization has committed or disbursed $125,000 in emergency operating grants to organizations responding locally.
Groups that have or will receive emergency funds are:
- Mountain Heart Nepal, which is using funds to support emergency mobile medical teams and their immediate work of bringing medical services to areas cut off from care.
- Shanti Foundation is providing emergency flood response efforts to impacted women and children. The foundation, led by Shanti Tamang, a long-time partner of Direct Relief, will be providing hygiene supplies, child-friendly spaces in displacement centers and temporary settlements, and psychosocial support.
- One Heart Worldwide will work to maintain essential maternal and newborn health services in the flood-affected districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading, Nepal.
All three organizations were key partners of Direct Relief during the 2015 earthquake response and have continued to receive ongoing support.
NEPAL FLOOD UPDATE
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Direct Relief doing to help after the Nepal floods?
Direct Relief sent more than 14 tons of medical supplies to Nepal, working alongside local partner organizations already on the ground to prevent secondary health problems like waterborne illness and disruptions to routine and maternal care.
How much medical aid has Direct Relief sent to Nepal so far?
The September shipment totaled more than 14 tons on its own, and Direct Relief reports over 21 tons of medical aid either already delivered or in transit as part of the broader flood response, sent from both its Santa Barbara, California warehouse and its European distribution center.
What kinds of medical supplies are included in the shipment?
The aid covers five main needs: antibiotics and anti-infectives for waterborne bacterial infections; IV fluids and water purification supplies for dehydration; medications for chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, COPD, and hypertension; wound care and first-aid supplies for field clinics; and protective equipment and hygiene products for people who’ve been displaced.
Who is receiving and distributing the aid in Nepal?
The supplies are going to Mountain Heart Nepal, a local group focused on medical outreach in remote Himalayan communities. The organization had already deployed teams to affected mountain areas within hours of the flooding and continues to run mobile medical care in the hardest-hit districts.
Is Direct Relief providing financial support as well as supplies?
Yes. Direct Relief has committed or distributed $125,000 in emergency grants to three local organizations — Mountain Heart Nepal, Shanti Foundation, and One Heart Worldwide — supporting mobile medical teams, displaced women and children, and maternal and newborn health services.