Direct Relief deploys emergency medical backpacks thanks to support of FedEX

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Direct Relief team has their hands full preparing emergency medical backpacks this week. 

"Direct relief is responding still to the after effects of hurricane barrel in the Caribbean, and in Texas California is also dealing with its largest wildfire so far this season and direct relief responding to both of these crises," said communications vice president Tony Morain of Direct Relief.

The nonprofit organization is responding by deploying hundreds of the backpacks to those in need thanks to FedEX.

“Direct Relief leverages their global logistics expertise, and reach. FedEX was also one of the initial donors supporters of our medical backpack program," said Morain.

Each backpack contains supplies to meet a variety of prevalent disaster-related medical emergencies.

"These are valuable because they are portable and they can help with patient care right after disaster. There are waterproof or rugged and they contain items that can help stabilize patients until they get to facility more serious injuries so they have things like first aid items," said director of pharmacy Alycia Clark of Direct Relief.

The backpacks are about to be shipped to first responders around the world.

“Really really grateful for the partnership with FedEX not only for starting the 15 years ago it has proved to be really valuable and support for ongoing every day shipment," said Clark.

“They are also used right here in Santa Barbara by organizations like Doctors without Walls providing medical care," said Morain.

Since 2009, Direct Relief has shipped more than 13,000 emergency medical backpacks to over 61 countries and 50 U.S. states and territories. 

{Sound of demonstration of packs}