Direct Relief expands aid operations across Nepal, South Sudan, and Yemen

Direct Relief has continued its humanitarian response across three continents over the past week, delivering medical shipments to flood-affected communities in Nepal, supplying emergency midwife kits in South Sudan, and distributing diabetes medicines across Yemen, according to a press release by Direct Relief. In total, the organization sent 398 shipments of requested medical aid to 45 U.S. states and territories and 28 countries worldwide. The shipments contained 12.9 million defined daily doses of medication. Items dispatched included rare disease treatments, diabetes therapies, cancer medications, fistula repair kits, and backup power equipment. The operations reflect Direct Relief’s ongoing effort to reach populations affected by disasters, conflict, and chronic health challenges.

In Nepal, Direct Relief’s response to devastating flash floods continues, with local partners working to reach communities where access remains most difficult. Mountain Heart Nepal recently completed a field response in Kalika Rural Municipality, Rasuwa, a trip that normally takes about six hours but stretched to nearly 12 due to badly damaged roads. Approximately two-thirds of the 14-ton shipment of medical aid that arrived in Kathmandu on Sept. 6 is designated for Mountain Heart Nepal. The shipment includes antibiotics, IV fluids, chronic disease medications, wound care supplies, and personal protective equipment. These supplies will be carried into hard-to-reach communities like Kalika as the flood response continues.

During the Rasuwa response, Mountain Heart Nepal delivered four oxygen concentrators and 480 plaster bandages to Jibjibe Primary Hospital. The team also provided 2,000 face masks and 40 body bags from disaster-response stock pre-positioned by Direct Relief. Additionally, 50 solar lights were distributed through Direct Relief’s partnership with Unite to Light. Further medicines were handed over to the hospital to support continued care for affected patients. The team also held a health camp providing medical care, treatment, and counseling to community members.

In South Sudan, 15 midwife kits arrived this week from Direct Relief’s emergency midwife kit reserve, allocated to Transformation of the World in Christ (TWIC) for its partner network serving internally displaced people and refugees. The kits were distributed to the South Sudan Nurses and Midwives Association, Juba Teaching Hospital, Lighthouse Hospital, and Mother Teresa Hospital. South Sudan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, and many hospitals become inaccessible during the rainy season.

“It will be a great privilege to be able to facilitate the distribution of the kits, especially to the South Sudan Nurses and Midwives Association, as they play an important role in building the strategy to improve care of mothers and babies during childbirth,” a TWIC representative said.

In Yemen, Yemen Aid has distributed a shipment of diabetes medicines provided through Direct Relief to Chronic Disease Centers across eight governorates: Aden, Lahj, Abyan, Shabwa, Al Dhale’e, Hadramout, Taiz, and Marib. The distribution was carried out through the National Programme for Medical Supplies. The support helps improve the availability of diabetes medicines in public health facilities and ensures continuity of care for people living with Type 2 diabetes. Since January 1, 2026, Direct Relief has delivered 16,000 shipments to 2,463 partner organizations in 53 U.S. states and territories and 90 countries. These shipments contained 284.4 million defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.2 billion (wholesale) and totaled 3.2 million pounds.