On Thursday, March 23rd, Direct Relief
International sent its first shipment of medical supplies to help victims
of the massive floods in Mozambique that have left hundreds of thousands
of people homeless, many of them stranded in trees or on small islands
of high ground.
Official observers report a growing
danger of diseases such as cholera in the flooded region. Among the supplies
Direct Relief has sent is a large quantity of medications for the treatment
and prevention of these flood-related illnesses, including specifically
targeted antibiotics and oral re-hydration salts. Also included are needles
and syringes, surgical instruments and various trauma-care items. The shipment
fills a 20-foot container, and has a wholesale value of more than $150,000.
It is being flown directly to Mozambique via air freight.
Until now, it has been extremely difficult for any humanitarian organizations, including Direct Relief, to establish workable relief programs in Mozambique. The country's transportation infrastructure has been severely disrupted, making it almost impossible to move aid shipments into or within the country.