Hurricane Harvey: Direct Relief Providing Emergency Funding for Texas Community Health Centers

"Direct Relief has worked closely with health centers in Texas for the past 12 years and, as always, they are playing a critical role providing health services for people – in the flooded communities, in shelters, and in communities to which they have evacuated," said Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe. "This initial financial support is needed now to ensure they can continue to play their vital role – particularly for people with low incomes, lacking insurance, and with limited access to needed care."

These emergency funds – made possible because of contributions Direct Relief has received for Hurricane Harvey and allocated after consulting with TACHC Executive Director Jose Camacho – will be targeted to health centers in the communities that have experienced damage or operational losses from Hurricane Harvey or have expanded services to care for persons evacuated to other areas.

TACHC will advise, screen and help prioritize requests, and make recommendations to Direct Relief, which will make grants on an expedited basis.

"For over a decade, Direct Relief has always been there for our centers, particularly in times of great need," said José E. Camacho, TACHC Executive Director/General Counsel. "As our centers and their employees navigate the road to recovery from Hurricane Harvey, it is this kind of cooperation and unity that truly helps our patients, centers and their employees cope with a disaster of this magnitude. Gracias."

Direct Relief also is providing emergency deliveries of essential medications and health commodities to TACHC member health centers and other nonprofit safety-net health providers in Texas. Over the past week, Direct Relief has provided 60 emergency deliveries to 18 sites in Texas containing more than $900,000 (wholesale) in medicines and supplies, which include insulin and other requested medications that are critically important for patients with chronic conditions that can rapidly become life threatening if unmanaged.

About Texas Association of Community Health Centers, Inc.
Formed in 1983, the Texas Association of Community Health Centers, Inc. (TACHC) is a private, non-profit membership association that represents Texas safety-net health care providers. TACHC is the federally-designated primary care association for the state and is the link between federal, state and local entities providing health care for Texas' most vulnerable populations. TACHC members include community health centers, federally-designated migrant, public housing and homeless health care centers, health center networks and other providers who strive to meet the health care needs of the uninsured and underserved.

About Direct Relief
Established in 1948 with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies, Direct Relief delivers lifesaving medical resources throughout the world – without regard to politics, religion, ethnic identities, or ability to pay. With operations spanning more than 70 countries and all 50 states in the U.S., Direct Relief is the only charitable nonprofit to obtain Verified Accredited Wholesale Distributor (VAWD) accreditation by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Among other distinctions, Direct Relief earns a perfect score of 100 from independent evaluator Charity Navigator, was listed among the world's most innovative nonprofits by Fast Company, and has received the CECP Directors' Award, the Drucker Prize for Nonprofit Innovation, and the President's Award from Esri for excellence in GIS mapping. For more information, please visit https://www.DirectRelief.org.

SOURCE Direct Relief

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