Protective Gear, Essential Medicines Bound for DRC Health Providers Treating Ebola

Over the past week, Direct Relief has delivered 196 shipments of requested medical aid to 35 U.S. states and territories and 13 countries worldwide. The shipments contained 3.6 million defined daily doses of medication

Medications and supplies shipped this week included treatments for rare and chronic diseases, maternal health and clinical care supplies, cold-chain storage equipment, and more.

Ebola Outbreak Response Continues

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo remains one of Direct Relief's largest active emergency response efforts. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, has spread across multiple health zones and prompted an international public health response. Because there are currently no licensed vaccines or therapeutics for the strain, infection prevention measures and supportive care remain critical components of the response.

This week, a 17-pallet shipment containing approximately $2.5 million in medical aid departed Direct Relief's headquarters for Jericho Road Wellness Clinic in Goma. The shipment includes personal protective equipment, IV fluids, oral rehydration supplies, antibiotics, diagnostics, and other materials requested by local health partners to support patient care and help protect frontline health workers.

Direct Relief is also coordinating with Africa CDC, the International Organization for Migration, and regional partners on preparedness and response efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.

Pediatric Cardiac Care Reaches Families in Nigeria

Direct Relief recently supported the VOOM Foundation's pediatric cardiac mission in Nigeria through a hand-carry donation of medications and medical supplies used during open-heart surgeries and community health services. The shipment supported procedures including repairs for congenital heart defects, valve disorders, and coronary artery bypass surgeries, as well as primary care screenings and treatment for chronic and infectious diseases. Approximately 940 people received care during the mission.

Medications donated by Direct Relief, including antibiotics, anesthetics, bronchodilators, blood pressure medications, and diabetes treatments, helped support surgical procedures and post-operative recovery for pediatric cardiac patients. The supplies also supported broader community health services including blood pressure and glucose screenings, wound care, and treatment for respiratory infections and other common conditions.

Among the patients treated was 15-year-old Emmanuel, who had lived his entire life with a severe congenital heart defect known as patent ductus arteriosus. After initially being evaluated during a 2025 mission, Emmanuel received medications and continued support while awaiting surgery. In May 2026, he underwent life-saving open-heart surgery through the VOOM Foundation mission at Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital.

Emergency Medical Supplies Support Health Facilities in South Sudan

A shipment of medicines and medical supplies valued at more than $2.3 million recently departed Direct Relief headquarters for Transformation of the World in Christ in South Sudan, where the organization supports healthcare services for displaced families and surrounding host communities in Warrap State. The shipment will support health facilities in Twic County and Gogrial West County, including multiple displacement camps and two hospitals serving communities facing ongoing humanitarian challenges.

Supplies will support the healthcare needs of approximately 3,000 people for one month. Included were additional primary care medications, infectious disease treatments, maternal and women's health supplies, personal protective equipment, water purification materials, and frontline clinical consumables. The shipment is intended to help sustain both routine healthcare services and emergency response operations in areas where access to care remains limited.

Warrap State continues to face overlapping humanitarian pressures, including displacement, localized conflict, recurrent flooding, food insecurity, and seasonal disease outbreaks, all of which continue to strain local health systems and disrupt access to care. Including this shipment, Direct Relief has provided six shipments totaling approximately six tons of medical aid valued at $3.1 million to support TWIC's healthcare operations in South Sudan.

Operational Snapshot

UNITED STATES

Direct Relief delivered 160 shipments this past week to organizations, including the following:

Around the World

Globally, Direct Relief shipped over 3.2 million defined daily doses of medication, totaling 29,611 lbs., to countries including the following:

Year-To-Date

Since January 1, 2026, Direct Relief has delivered 9,193 shipments to 1,979 partner organizations in 53 U.S. states and territories and 70 countries.

These shipments contained 130.2M defined daily doses of medication valued at $803.3M (wholesale) and totaled 1.4M lbs.

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