As more than 2 million refugees have fled Ukraine, according to data from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, and an additional 1 million people are internally displaced within the country, the Santa Barbara-based nonprofit organization Direct Relief has been working with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health and other partners to provide critical medical aid supplies and medicine.
The organization, which focuses on providing medical aid supplies to health professionals around the world, had been working with Ukraine before the current war breaking out, having provided more than $26 million worth of aid in the past six months.
The current situation in Ukraine has led Direct Relief to ramp up its efforts, sending pallets of medical supplies requested by the Ukrainian Ministry of Health in a comprehensive needs list, including specialized medication and emergency medical backpacks with supplies commonly needed for mobile medical care.
Tony Morain, Direct Relief’s vice president of communications, said the organization has provided Ukrainians with about $10.3 million in medical supplies since the invasion started on Feb. 24, as well as about $100,000 sent to local groups in Ukraine.
Morain also said that 25 tons of medical supplies and medications requested by the Ukrainian Ministry of Health have been sent, and Direct Relief received confirmation over the weekend that its first shipment arrived in Ukraine.
Some of the medical supplies that Direct Relief has been sending include insulin syringes, oxygen concentrators and personal care items, all of which are intended for people still in Ukraine and refugees who have fled to neighboring countries.
“In addition to critical care medical items for blood pressure support, intubation/ventilation, IV antibiotics, fluids, etc., Direct Relief has received requests for Combat Application Tourniquets and bandages, indicating mass casualties,” Morain said in an article on Direct Relief’s website. “Direct Relief has also received information indicating a dire need for tranexamic acid, which is used to control severe bleeding by blocking the breakdown of blood clots.”
Several local people and groups throughout Santa Barbara have been showing their support for Direct Relief’s efforts and for Ukraine in general, whether through fundraising or at local rallies.
“We’ve just been overwhelmed by the generosity of people — particularly people and businesses in Santa Barbara,” Morain said. “We understand that not everyone is in a position to donate, but just by paying attention, it means a lot to the people in Ukraine knowing people on the other side of the world are pulling for them.”
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival partnered with Direct Relief to raise funds to be donated to the organization during the duration of the festival that concluded Saturday.
As of Saturday, more than $95,000 had been raised through SBIFF’s donation page, with 100% of the contributions going to Direct Relief.
“The film festival has been standing proudly with the people of the Ukraine,” SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling said during the Cinema Vanguard Award ceremony Wednesday night. “We have been raising funds for Direct Relief, the local nonprofit the provides aid to the Ukraine. … We want to reach $100,000 by the end of the festival.”
Morain said Direct Relief does not accept any government funding, as that allows the organization to remain independent and work with governments more easily, so donations are a large part of its funding.
“We rely inherently on private donations,” Morain said. “When people support Direct Relief, it’s the fuel that allows us to help. … Direct Relief welcomes anyone who’s able to lend their support.”
Since Direct Relief focuses solely on providing medical aid supplies, Morain also pointed toward the independent charity watchdog website charitynavigator.org for those who want to help in other ways but don’t know which organizations to support.
The website has a section specifically for the Ukrainian-Russian Crisis, and lists nonprofit organizations by services or supplies they provide, such as medical services; medical supplies; non-medical supplies; water, sanitation and hygiene; emergency housing; long-term assistance; and other services.
More information on Direct Relief and its work sending aid to Ukraine, as well as its activity coming in the future, can be found on its website.
— Noozhawk staff writer Serena Guentz can be reached at sguentz@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.