Santa Barbara, Calif. - Direct Relief International today announced a $150,000 partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) to support the rebuilding and recovery efforts in the U.S. Gulf States following Hurricane Gustav.

While evacuations and preparedness prevented injuries and saved lives, many buildings in the hurricane's path, including NACHC member health centers, did not fare so well. Many sustained structural damage and flooding in the 110-mph winds and heavy rain, compromising health centers' medical supplies and equipment. Jefferson Community Health Center, in Jefferson Parish, LA, experienced significant damage from wind and rain resulting from Gustav. Two of their three sites suffered extensive roof damage and flooding. Much of the contents of their buildings were destroyed, including medications, equipment, and medical supplies, and all three sites have remained without power.

The grant will help health centers rebuild, replenish their supplies and equipment, and pay for staff working overtime to treat at-risk populations. Direct Relief staff remained in frequent contact with NACHC representatives before and after the hurricane to determine needs and assess damage. The grant is the first made from a commitment of $250,000 Direct Relief made to the Gulf Coast's clinics and community heath center partners.

"Extending this grant to NACHC was an easy decision," said Thomas Tighe, president and CEO of Direct Relief. "Our partnership, established in the days following Hurricane Katrina, is now a cornerstone of our ongoing medical material assistance to safety-net healthcare providers around the country."

Since establishing its domestic assistance program in 2004, Direct Relief has supplied partners in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas with more than $47 million in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, supplies, and cash grants. Direct Relief also served on Texas' Blue Ribbon Commission on Emergency Preparedness and Response, convened after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to help formulate the state's response to future natural disasters.

"Direct Relief has been generous in providing much-needed support to health centers in the Gulf Coast states and has made every effort to address needs as expeditiously as possible. In fact, this year, Direct Relief had shipped equipment and supplies to Gulf Coast health centers before Gustav made landfall. It has been our privilege to be a part of this partnership," says Malvise A. Scott, NACHC's Senior Vice President of Partnership and Resource Development.

NACHC honored Direct Relief's assistance to community health centers during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita at its annual meeting last August. During that response, Direct Relief supplied healthcare providers in the Gulf with $47 million in medical material aid and $4.6 million in targeted cash grants.

About Direct Relief International
Founded in 1948, Direct Relief International is a Santa Barbara-based nonprofit organization focused on improving the quality of life by bringing critically needed medicines and supplies to local healthcare providers worldwide. Direct Relief works in 59 countries and has delivered more than $1 billion in privately funded humanitarian medical aid to health professionals serving impoverished communities since 2000. Direct Relief is one of two charities ranked by Forbes that has received a perfect fundraising efficiency score for five consecutive years and is ranked by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as California's largest international nonprofit organization based on private support. For more information, please visit www.DirectRelief.org.

About the National Association of Community Health Centers
Founded in 1970, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance and expand access to quality, community-responsive health care for America's medically underserved and uninsured. In serving its mission, NACHC represents the nation's network of over 1,200 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) which serve 18 million people through 7000 sites located in all of the 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. For more information, please visit www.nachc.com.