Direct Relief has been responding to multiple medical emergencies and health access challenges across the United States and Puerto Rico. Over the past week, the organization delivered 575 shipments of medical aid to 47 U.S. states and territories and 15 countries worldwide, containing 8.9 million defined daily doses of medication. Since January 1, Direct Relief has delivered 16.1 thousand shipments to 2,235 partner organizations in 54 U.S. states and territories and 81 countries, totaling 146.8 million defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.2 billion wholesale.
Texas Flood Response
Flooding in Texas earlier this month killed at least 135 people with more than 100 remaining unaccounted for. Direct Relief has been supporting search and rescue groups including TEXSAR and Equusearch with emergency operating grants and field medic packs. The organization also delivered field medic packs to the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department to be integrated into response vehicles. Direct Relief staff met with Fronteras Health Center, which has been providing mental health services to first responders, and with La Esperanza Clinic in San Angelo, which has been providing mobile healthcare to the community. Since July 4, Direct Relief has provided $2.6 million worth of medical aid across Texas for ongoing health needs as well as emergency response.
Community Health Fair in Puerto Rico
A community health fair organized by Direct Relief in partnership with COSSAO, a nonprofit free clinic, reached more than 70 patients with medical services on July 8 in Utuado, a mountainous area of Puerto Rico. COSSAO has been delivering healthcare to underserved communities in Utuado, Ciales, and Jayuya, and since 2017 has received medication donations and cash grants from Direct Relief. More than 120 services were provided to approximately 74 patients during the fair. Volunteer physicians from RWJ Barnabas Health offered cardiology, pulmonology, and gynecology consultations. The Carlos Albizu University provided mental health services, while medical students from the Ponce Medical School Foundation shadowed physicians to gain experience in community-based care delivery.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.directrelief.org/2025/07/responding-to-texas-floods-medical-needs-in-rural-puerto-rico-and-more/