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Record Details:
Direct Relief International (2011 Japan Earthquake/Tsunami)
Organization:Facility Type: Info/Hotline
Status: Open
Address:
U.S.: 27 S. La Patera Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
, JP 00000
| Region: | Asia |
|---|---|
| County/Parish: |
Main/General Business Number: (805) 964-4767
This organization provides Temporary or Permanent Service? Temporary
Notes:
Amgen Donates a Generous $500,000 to Direct Relief to Help the People of Japan
March 15, 2011
Longtime corporate supporter Amgen has announced that it is donating $500,000 to Direct Relief International in support of emergency relief efforts in Japan. Amgen and the Amgen Foundation donated funds to help bring basic needs and vital health services to the people affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Amgen selected Direct Relief as a recipient for this generous donation because of the organization’s capacity and experience in responding to large-scale emergencies worldwide.
“Amgen has consistently stepped up to support our work during Direct Relief’s largest response efforts, including the earthquakes in Pakistan and Haiti,” said Brett Williams, Director of International Programs and Emergency Response. “This generous donation will boost our ability to help the people of Japan at this critical time.”
Based in California, Amgen has a long history in Japan with its partnership with Kirin Holdings and pharmaceutical affiliate Kyowa Hakko Kirin that began in 1984, and more recently partnerships with Takeda Pharmaceutical and Daiichi Sankyo.
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures, and delivers innovative human therapeutics, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bone disease, and other serious illnesses. Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. The Amgen Foundation seeks to advance science education; improve patient access to quality care; and strengthen the communities where Amgen staff members live and work.
This donation will significantly enhance Direct Relief’s ability to provide critically needed support to the people in Japan in their recovery.
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Japanese American Citizens League, Direct Relief International Join Together for Japan Relief and Recovery Effort
Fund will use 100% of contributions for Japan aid
March 15, 2011
The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and Direct Relief International today announced a collaboration to support relief and recovery efforts in Japan – the formation of the Japan Relief and Recovery Fund.
JACL, which was founded in 1929, is the oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization in the United States and also operates one of its 112 chapters in Tokyo. Direct Relief International, established in 1948, is a privately funded humanitarian organization with decades-long experience in emergency response and humanitarian health assistance worldwide.
100% of funds donated to the Japan Relief and Recovery Fund, which will be managed by Direct Relief International, will be dedicated exclusively to relief and recovery efforts in Japan.
The organizations joined together in the face of a still unfolding crisis in Japan to ensure that contributions to assist Japan are used in the most productive, efficient manner possible.
Floyd Mori, National Executive Director of the JACL, said, “We are happy for this opportunity to partner with a superior organization such as Direct Relief, whose record of efficiency is second to none. Many of our collaborative human and civil rights organizations will be supporting this relief effort. We are happy to provide an avenue for funds that will go directly to help stricken victims of the disaster, many who are friends and family to our membership.”
“Direct Relief’s long experience in emergency response and efficient, transparent use of donated funds and JACL’s extensive network both within the United States and in Japan will ensure that resources made available for this crisis are well managed, well spent, and used in the most productive manner possible,” said Direct Relief CEO and President Thomas Tighe.
Direct Relief also today committed an initial $600,000 in cash to the effort and offered $15 million in medical inventory if needed to assist with trauma care and health conditions related to injuries and exposure as hundreds of thousands of people have been dislocated.
Direct Relief’s Director of International Programs and Emergency Response, Brett Williams, is travelling to Japan this week. Williams has led the organization’s extensive assistance to Haiti, where Direct Relief has been the largest provider of medical material aid (800 tons worth $60 million) since the Haiti quake in January 2010.
Mori and Tighe also issued the following joint statement:
“This is a massive, complex emergency in Japan that we recognize is beyond the capacity of any one organization to address fully, so we believe this initial collaboration between our two longstanding, established organizations makes great sense, and we encourage other people, businesses, and organizations to join together to support people in Japan in this most difficult time.”
To donate online, please go to: dri.convio.net/JapanRelief.
Direct Relief Coordinating Response Efforts with Governmental, Nongovernmental Agencies
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Staged materials ready to help as needs are identified
March 12, 2011
Since the earthquake and tsunami struck Japan yesterday, Direct Relief’s emergency response team has been in contact with U.S. government officials in Japan and with the U.S. Navy's Project Handclasp to offer resources and to promote coordination in the relief effort.
Direct Relief works closely with the United Nations (U.N.) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA), which has activated to assemble the international response. Direct Relief has mobilized and staged materials at our headquarters, which are standing by ready for airlift to Japan.
OCHA reports that U.N. and government search-and-rescue teams from around the world are on their way to Japan as information about damage from the earthquake and tsunami becomes available. Power and telecommunications outages are making information flows out of the country difficult and impeding assessments of rural areas. As Direct Relief has seen in similar types of emergencies, there is an immediate need for food, water, shelter, and medicine for the people displaced by and injured in the earthquake and tsunami.
According to the Japan Times, the 22 hospitals in 11 prefectures the government designated to treat patients injured in the earthquake and tsunami were full. The Tohoku University Hospital in Sendai has limited capacity to perform surgeries despite having a working generator because its water supply is broken.
Direct Relief continues to monitor the situation to determine the most effective support to Japan.
Direct Relief Partners Outside Japan Report Insignificant Damage from Quake and Tsunami
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Emergency response team continues to mobilize resources to help in Japan
March 11, 2011 - 6:30 pm
As information about the extent of destruction in Japan emerged throughout the day, Direct Relief’s partners in other Pacific Rim countries reported insignificant damage and no loss of life, which was a concern as the tsunami traveled across the Pacific.
Because the U.S. West Coast was under a tsunami warning following the earthquake in Japan, Direct Relief coordinated with local, state, and federal officials today as a key member of the emergency network of public and private organizations. Thankfully, the tsunami resulted in only minor damage to West Coast and was largely uneventful.
Regarding Japan, although specifics remain unavailable regarding unmet medical needs, Direct Relief coordinated with healthcare company partners and logistics partners to mobilize resources anticipated to be needed for earthquake-related trauma injuries and tsunami-related waterborne illness and infection.
Direct Relief also offered assistance to the government of Japan via the Japan Consulate in Los Angeles and will continue to coordinate with colleague organizations as the situation unfolds.
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Direct Relief Mobilizes in Response to Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
March 11, 2011
Direct Relief International's emergency response team has mobilized in response to the 8.9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, approximately 250 miles northeast of Tokyo, today. The organization is reaching out to medical teams ready to respond, as well as partners across the Pacific Rim to offer assistance. According to international news, cars, buildings, and trains were swept away in the tsunami triggered by the earthquake, causing additional widespread damage. The death and injury tolls are being assessed, but are currently numbered in the hundreds.
“We are all concerned for the people of Japan in the wake of this tremendous destruction and stand ready to assist as they recover from this disaster," said President and CEO Thomas Tighe. "Our emergency team is in touch with our government and NGO partners in Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu and is prepared to bolster their efforts in the aftermath of this earthquake. As disaster response experts, our first response is to support the immediate needs of people by working with local health partners best situated to assess, respond, and prepare for the long-term recovery that will be needed."
Direct Relief has extensive experience responding to large-scale emergencies, including the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami of 2004, which will inform these response efforts.
The earthquake and its effects are reaching the U.S. as well. According to news reports, coastal communities from central California to Alaska are under a tsunami warning this morning. Direct Relief has long-standing partnerships with emergency response operations and health clinics on the U.S. West Coast, thoughout California, Oregon and Washington. Direct Relief has offered assistance to California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA), the National Association of Community Health Centers, and the National Association Free Clinics. Direct Relief is working with those partners and their members to monitor the developments closely.
The organization has equipped trained Medical Reserve Corps volunteers in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties with ruggedized "grab-and-go" packs that enable these medical personnel to treat patients during emergency situations.
Direct Relief will continue to monitor the situation worldwide to provide assistance as appropriate and needed in support of the recovery effort.
(see full history)
Created At: Wed Mar 16 16:37:45 +0000 2011
Updated At: Wed Mar 16 16:37:45 +0000 2011
Updated By: LTel
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