Providing direct relief

London – MSI’s relationship with Direct Relief International (DRI) began in 2005 and over the past few years has gone from strength to strength. As a result, more and more MSI Partners and the clients they serve are benefitting. But who is DRI and how did this successful relationship begin?

DRI is a US based NGO which focuses on providing medical assistance to those affected by poverty, disaster, and civil unrest throughout the world. It works to strengthen the in-country health efforts of its partners by providing essential material resources – medicines, supplies and equipment.

The partnership between MSI and DRI began when in response to an earthquake in Pakistan, DRI offered to send a container of equipment and supplies to MSI's Partner in Pakistan, Marie Stopes Society (MSS). The contents of that container were worth nearly a million US dollars and were of great help to MSS as they worked with the victims of the earthquake.

Fast forward to 2007and DRI were supplying medical materials to MSI programmes in Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Malawi, the Philippines and Bolivia worth over $3 million. This year so far, MSI and DRI have collaborated on getting supplies to six MSI Partners with many more shipments going out during the last quarter of 2008.

From DRI’s perspective, the relationship with MSI means that they are able to inject vital resources into already strong, local networks in-country which are focused on sexual and reproductive health and mother and child health and which reach the most underserved populations with consistently quality services.

“It’s both MSI’s ability – infrastructure and capacity-wise – to reach rural populations and urban slum populations and the promise of quality services from well-trained medical staff that motivates Direct Relief to work with MSI affiliates.” said Sarah Thurston, DRI Support Manager.

Earlier this year, DRI was able to help MSI Myanmar following the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis. DRI responded quickly and committed both a cash donation and goods in kind to assist the relief effort. Since that initial response, they have also sent additional shipments of medical supplies which have helped the MSI Myanmar team to provide much needed clinical services including treating acute respiratory tract infections, malaria, skin infections and wounds, as well as providing much needed services, such as antenatal care. This support has enabled the team to fill certain gaps in services and commodities for the healthcare of those affected after the unprecedented cyclone and storm-surge ruined infrastructure.

DRI approached MSI after the earthquake in China and pledged their help. In response, MSI China immediately facilitated contact between their contacts at the National Population and Family Planning Commission and DRI, with the result that DRI airfreighted a consignment of much needed supplies to the people of Sichuan Province where the earthquake took place.

Brett Williams from DRI was able to share these experiences and DRI’s mission and vision at the RAISE conference in Uganda, where he sat on a panel with the UNFPA to discuss procurement and logistics issues during humanitarian crises.

The mutual benefits and growing trust and respect between DRI and MSI looks set to have an increasing impact on the health and well-being of some of the world’s poorest people in the months and years ahead.

Related categories: RAISE