Cold Chain Support in Chad, Surgical Training in Ukraine, and More

Over the past week, Direct Relief sent 380 shipments of requested medical aid, containing 10.2 million defined daily doses of medication, to organizations across 41 U.S. states and territories and 26 other countries.

Shipments sent this week included cystic fibrosis medications, cancer therapies, diabetes treatments, and cold-chain equipment.

Strengthening Cold Chain Across Chad's Provinces

Chad's Directorate General of Pharmacy, Medicines and Laboratories received 23 refrigerators from Direct Relief, one for each of the country's provincial pharmaceutical supply centers, during a ceremony presided over by the Minister of Public Health and Prevention.

The donation supports a broader effort to modernize the country's cold chain and ensure the safe storage of temperature-sensitive medicines in even the most remote provinces, following a separate Direct Relief-funded cold room recently completed at the Central Pharmaceutical Supply Agency in N'Djamena.

The investment builds on Direct Relief's partnership with Chad's Ministry of Public Health, established in 2024, which has grown to include 43 shipments of medical aid, from midwife kits supporting maternal health to emergency response following cholera outbreaks and flooding. The ministry also recently received its first shipment of HPV vaccines as part of its expanding preventive care efforts.

"Strengthening the cold chain is an essential link in our ambition to build a more efficient, resilient and equitable pharmaceutical supply system for the benefit of the entire Chadian population," said Dr. Ayoub Moussa Abderaman, Director General of Pharmacy, Medicines and Laboratories.

Surgical Training Builds Reconstructive Care Capacity in Ukraine

The Penn Center for Global Health's Ukraine Reconstruction Program, supported by Direct Relief, recently completed an in-country surgical training mission in Mukachevo, Ukraine. The mission brought together an international team of reconstructive surgeons to advance local expertise in treating complex combat-related extremity injuries. Working alongside Ukrainian colleagues, the team provided hands-on training in advanced soft tissue reconstruction and frame fixation while treating patients with severe combat injuries.

Training surgeons within their own clinical environment helps build a sustainable, locally led system of reconstructive care and reduces the need for patients to travel abroad for specialized treatment.

"Our goal is not simply to perform operations during each mission, but to equip Ukrainian surgical teams with the knowledge, technical skills, and confidence to independently manage increasingly complex injuries long after our visiting teams have departed," the program said.

Free Medical and Dental Camp Reaches Flood-Affected Community in Nepal

Mountain Heart Nepal, in collaboration with the Rasuwa Nuwakot Tourism Society, supported a free medical and dental camp in Ward No. 6, Dhunche, Rasuwa, benefiting communities affected by recent floods and landslides. Approximately 200 patients received care, including general health exams, dental checkups and treatment, and free essential medicines, with particular attention given to those requiring regular medication for chronic conditions whose access to care had been disrupted by the disaster.

Direct Relief and Friends of Mountain Heart Nepal provided the essential medicines and medical supplies that supported the camp, as the organization continues working to ensure continuity of care for people with chronic illnesses and those in geographically challenging areas.

Operational Snapshot

United States

Direct Relief sent 329 shipments weighing 19,927 pounds and containing 1.1 million defined daily doses of medication.

Around the World

Outside the U.S., Direct Relief sent 9.1 million defined daily doses of medication, weighing 88,594 pounds.

Year to date

Since January 1, 2026, Direct Relief has delivered 19.3K shipments to 2,633 partner organizations in 53 US states and territories and 93 countries. These shipments contained 346M defined daily doses of medication valued at $1.5B (wholesale) and totaled 3.8M lbs.

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