×

News publications and other organizations are encouraged to reuse Direct Relief-published content for free under a Creative Commons License (Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International), given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

When republishing:

  • Include a byline with the reporter’s name and Direct Relief in the following format: "Author Name, Direct Relief." If attribution in that format is not possible, include the following language at the top of the story: "This story was originally published by Direct Relief."
  • If publishing online, please link to the original URL of the story.
  • Maintain any tagline at the bottom of the story.
  • With Direct Relief's permission, news publications can make changes such as localizing the content for a particular area, using a different headline, or shortening story text. To confirm edits are acceptable, please check with Direct Relief by clicking this link.
  • If new content is added to the original story — for example, a comment from a local official — a note with language to the effect of the following must be included: "Additional reporting by [reporter and organization]."
  • If republished stories are shared on social media, Direct Relief appreciates being tagged in the posts:
    • Twitter (@DirectRelief)
    • Facebook (@DirectRelief)
    • Instagram (@DirectRelief)

Republishing Images:

Unless stated otherwise, images shot by Direct Relief may be republished for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution, given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

  • Maintain correct caption information.
  • Credit the photographer and Direct Relief in the caption. For example: "First and Last Name / Direct Relief."
  • Do not digitally alter images.

Direct Relief often contracts with freelance photographers who usually, but not always, allow their work to be published by Direct Relief’s media partners. Contact Direct Relief for permission to use images in which Direct Relief is not credited in the caption by clicking here.

Other Requirements:

  • Do not state or imply that donations to any third-party organization support Direct Relief's work.
  • Republishers may not sell Direct Relief's content.
  • Direct Relief's work is prohibited from populating web pages designed to improve rankings on search engines or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements.
  • Advance permission is required to translate Direct Relief's stories into a language different from the original language of publication. To inquire, contact us here.
  • If Direct Relief requests a change to or removal of republished Direct Relief content from a site or on-air, the republisher must comply.

For any additional questions about republishing Direct Relief content, please email the team here.

Haiti Earthquake Relief 2021

Disaster Relief

Direct Relief uses all contributions designated for the Haiti Earthquake solely for relief and recovery efforts related to the Haiti Earthquake.

Quick Facts

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake originated 7.5 miles northeast of Saint-Louis-du-Sud, Haiti, on Aug. 14, 2021.


Many areas sustained significant damage, including collapsed buildings and infrastructure, and fatalities are still being assessed.


Medical aid from Direct Relief is staged at hospitals in Haiti. The organization is in contact with and supports health facilities across the nation.

Responding to Immediate Medical Needs in Haiti

Direct Relief has a long history of support to medical facilities and healthcare partners throughout Haiti, including during the 2010 earthquake and the subsequent recovery efforts that would take place over the next decade. Over the past decade, the organization has provided more than $321 million in medical support to health clinics and hospitals, and long-standing relationships with local organizations providing care in the country allow Direct Relief to respond rapidly.

Response to the 2021 Haiti Earthquake

Haitians begin the work of recovery in Les Cayes after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake reverberated through the country's western region on August 15, 2021. (Photo by Richard Pierrin/Getty Images)
Haitians begin the work of recovery in Les Cayes after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake reverberated through the country’s western region on August 15, 2021. (Photo by Richard Pierrin/Getty Images)

Direct Relief has staff on the ground in Haiti, as well as firmly established relationships with a number of local partners and with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), a regional branch of the World Health Organization.

Emergency medical modules that Direct Relief pre-positioned in the region have been deployed from Port-au-Prince with medical teams to affected areas to meet the overwhelming need for medical attention. Each module contains significant quantities of the medicines and supplies that Haitian health facilities and doctors are currently requesting: antibiotics, wound care items, and medical outreach packs, among other aid.

Staff from St. Luke's Hospital use emergency medical supplies from Direct Relief to provide medical care to those impacted by the 2021 earthquake. (Courtesy photo)
St. Luke’s Hospital staff use emergency medical supplies from Direct Relief to provide medical care to earthquake-impacted communities in Haiti. (Courtesy photo)

Additional Direct Relief emergency medical modules have been routed to Haiti from the organization’s Puerto Rico warehouse and from PAHO’s Panama facility. Seven pallets of PPE, medical relief backpacks, and emergency shelters arrived at St. Boniface Hospital in Fond-des-Blancs from Direct Relief’s Puerto Rico distribution hub, and Direct Relief also provided $250,000 in emergency operational cash support to St. Boniface.

When the earthquake struck, Direct Relief had three ocean freight containers of PPE and other medical supplies already en route to Haiti. These supplies are on their way to the Haiti-based organization Partners in Health, St. Boniface Hospital, and St. Damien Hospital.

In total, more than 192 pallets worth of medical aid from Direct Relief totaling $12.8M has arrived recently in Haiti, is en route, or is ready for deployment.

Direct Relief mobilized a FedEx humanitarian emergency MD-11 aid charter of urgently needed medical supplies to Haiti, and the flight included 165 pallets of antibiotics, wound care items, PPE, diagnostic supplies, medical-grade freezers, IV fluids, medical relief packs, essential medications. Those emergency shipments are being stored at Direct Relief’s Haiti warehouse and distributed by Direct Relief’s Port au Prince-based staff, enabling healthcare providers to continue providing lifesaving services to their communities and patients from areas with damaged or destroyed health infrastructure.

Six pallets containing emergency backpacks, tents, and hygiene kits arrived this week in Les Cayes by private charter to the Colorado Haiti Project in Petit-Trou-de-Nippes near the earthquake’s epicenter.

Direct Relief is currently coordinating with a coalition of responders, including University of Miami Doctors, Partners in Health, St. Boniface Hospital, St. Luke’s Foundation/St. Damien Hospital, PAHO, the Haitian Global Health Alliance (GHESKIO), and the organization’s own regional staff in Haiti.

Currently, the primary challenge is transporting medical aid on the ground within Haiti. Road closures, landslides, and gang activity make ground transportation treacherous. However, Direct Relief has worked in Haiti for several decades with on-the-ground partners and is working to navigate these obstacles on the ground.

Medical aid for Haiti is staged in Direct Relief's California distribution center, in preparation for a chartered flight to the country. (Direct Relief photo)
Medical aid for Haiti is staged in Direct Relief’s California distribution center in preparation for a chartered flight to the country. (Direct Relief photo)

Get Involved

Ways to Make a Difference

Invest in a healthier world.

Rally your community to help others.

Put your business to work for humanity