Direct Relief sends emergency medical aid to Ukraine

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. -- Pallets wrapped in white plastic are full of Direct Relief emergency medical backpacks ready to be shipped to Ukraine.

Direct Relief CEO and president Thomas Tighe said, “They wanted our entire stock so we are sending the first wave out today.”

About 400 medical backpacks that can also be carried like duffle bags will be flown out of Los Angeles and met by a Ukraine Ministry of Health Contact.

They lost contact at the beginning of the Russian invasion.

"We lost communications for a couple of days, it came back on Saturday afternoon, that allowed us the last few days to get a better sense of what they are looking at."

Tighe said it will help the wounded and people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes.

Ukraine's blue and yellow flag is displayed with other flags on the ceiling of the Direct Relief warehouse in Goleta.

Direct Relief had already been sending COVID-19 aid to Ukraine, and oxygen concentrators will soon be on the way as well.

Tighe said it seems fitting since the nonprofits late founder, William Zimdin, escaped Hitler and sent relief parcels to to world war two survivors rebuilding the same region.

"It is an interesting turn of events for us certainly historically."

The orange backpacks contain triage equipment such as tourniquets and wound care supplies paid for by people who care.

Direct Relief’s Lara Cooper said the community supports the work they do.

"It is really an honor and we are so grateful to the Santa Barbara community for supporting our organization for decades," said Cooper.

Direct Relief is not using the conflict to ask for donations, but there is a donation link on its website.

People may also read updates on what the nonprofit is doing to help the people impacted by the war.

For more information visit directrelief.org.