Ten years ago, Haiti was hit by the deadliest natural disaster in its history. On January 12, 2010, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the island nation, killing more than 220,000 people and internally displacing another 1.5 million. The disaster exacerbated existing humanitarian challenges and upended the lives of millions, exerting an indelible influence on the country’s […]

10 years ago Haiti was hit by the deadliest natural disaster in its history. On January 12, 2010 a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the island nation killing more than 220,000 people and internally displacing another 1.5 million. The disaster exacerbated existing humanitarian challenges and upended the lives of millions, exerting an indelible influence on the trajectory of the nation.

In response, Direct Relief deployed it's most advanced emergency response mission to date. Heading up the effort were Andrew MacCalla, Direct Relief's current Vice President of Emergency Response, and Brett Williams, former Director of International Programs. The two spent years together in Haiti after the earthquake, forging partnerships with healthcare providers and delivering medical supplies to hospitals and clinics caring for victims of the disaster.

Now, 10 years later, the two reflect on how the Haiti Earthquake shaped not only the nation, but themselves.

Within three months of launching the Direct Relief podcast, thousands have listened in to hear the voices shaping global health. The podcast has captured the stories of doctors on the front lines of humanitarian catastrophes, first responders mobilizing in the wake of disaster, and the patients they serve. As an ode to the end of […]

Urban Health's Plan's Center for Healthy Aging is taking a comprehensive approach to geriatric care.

The United States population is aging, quickly. Within the next decade, the final cohort of baby boomers will turn 65, increasing the number of older adults from 50 million to 75 million. By 2034, older adults are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history.

This demographic transformation is changing the landscape of healthcare in the United States. As Americans grow older, the demand for geriatric care grows in tandem. In response, healthcare providers must develop new and innovative ways to meet the evolving needs of their patients.

On this episode of the podcast, we take a look at how one health center is revamping elder care. We speak with Dr. Vasquez of Urban Health Plan's Center for Healthy Aging and patient, Doreen Percival, who gives a frank account of her life as an older adult.

(Direct Relief, in collaboration with BD, has provided Urban Health Plan's Center for Healthy Aging with funding to support their comprehensive elder care program and increase their capacity to meet the needs of their patients.)

From Mozambique to the Bahamas, 2019's disasters revealed challenges for those responding, and a signal for what may be yet to come.

When a major disaster strikes, Direct Relief's emergency response team is deployed shortly thereafter. Despite the logistical difficulties of getting to a disaster zone, Direct Relief staff are often some of the first to arrive. They witness the brutal effects of a disaster first-hand and absorb the reverberating shock that shakes those in its path.

On this episode of the podcast, we speak with Direct Relief emergency response manager Gordon Willcock who touched down immediately after two of this year's most severe storms—Cyclone Idai in Mozambique and Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas. He tells us about what he saw during his on-the-ground response and the unsettling trends he expects to accompany future disasters.

While disasters seem unending and politics divisive, giving thanks may offer a much needed shift in perspective. This Thanksgiving, we sit down with Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe  — who gives a refreshing take on the current state of affairs and answers the question on everyone’s mind this holiday — What are you […]

While disasters seem unending and politics divisive, giving thanks offers a refreshing shift in perspective. This Thanksgiving, we sit down with Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe — who gives an uplifting look at the current state of affairs and answers the question on everyone's mind this holiday— What are you grateful for?

Doctors used headlamps to see patients during most recent round of blackouts in Northern California communities. It may not be the last time.