Direct Relief International Announces 1st Quarter 2001 Results

Direct Relief International
Friday, 6 April 2001

Record Level of Assistance Provided due to Expanded Corporate and Individual Support

SANTA BARBARA, CA (April 6, 2001) - Direct Relief International today announced the results of its 1st quarter activities for 2001. The Santa Barbara-based humanitarian relief and development agency provided more than $27 million in assistance to 27 countries in the first quarter, the most expansive level of assistance in any quarter in its 53-year history.

Direct Relief International's material assistance program provided more than 134 tons (268,887 lbs.) of critically needed medicines, equipment, and supplies sufficient to assist 3.4 million people. Revenues – received from individual donations and corporate and foundation grants – totaled $670,000.

The stepped-up level of assistance was due largely to major disaster-relief efforts in the aftermath of devastating earthquakes in El Salvador and India in January, and a second quake in El Salvador in February. Despite softening economic conditions in the United States, the public and corporate response to these disasters and to chronic conditions of poverty has been strong.

In announcing the quarterly results, Direct Relief International President and CEO Thomas Tighe said, "There are no 'street expectations' to meet or beat in our work. Perhaps there should be to rivet attention and drive efforts to help. We are pleased that we have been able to help more people in developing countries obtain medical services that otherwise would be unavailable. But the sad fact is that demand for even the most basic health services among poor people in developing countries far outstrips the current supply."

Direct Relief International's record quarter was possible due to tremendous support from the U.S. pharmaceutical and medical-manufacturing sector, which provides in-kind donations for use in emergency-relief and ongoing health projects. Industry leaders, including the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, Abbott Laboratories, Becton Dickinson, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Kendall Healthcare, Midmark, Ortho-McNeil, Searle, and TEVA USA, are leading partners of Direct Relief and donate specialty health products. Pfizer and Tenet Healthcare also provided financial support through their corporate foundations.

"Because of extensive corporate support, we are able to leverage each dollar donated into more than $30 worth of wholesale medical supplies to assist people living in extreme poverty, who confront enormous health challenges," Tighe said.

Direct Relief International provides direct support to indigenous facilities and projects run by local leaders, and historically maintains among the lowest administrative and fundraising expense ratios in the U.S. nonprofit sector. Slumping equities markets and lowered corporate earnings present obvious challenges to personal and charitable corporate giving this year. But the organization is hopefully optimistic that its relative efficiency and strong record will continue to inspire giving to address the health needs of the world's most vulnerable citizens.

"The market woes remind everyone of the basic values that matter most – in both business and our personal lives. We are a lifeline to many poor areas, and we're committed to tightening our own belts to help people overcome unimaginably tough obstacles to a fully productive life," Tighe said.

For more information, or to contact Direct Relief International, see their website at: www.directrelief.org