On May 6, 2025, Hôpital Albert Schweitzer leadership had the honor of visiting Direct Relief’s headquarters in California to deepen a partnership that has spanned more than 15 years and delivered millions of dollars in medical aid from Direct Relief to HAS.
Direct Relief has long been a vital lifeline for HAS, providing nearly 100 shipments of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals over the years that allow us to deliver critical healthcare to some of Haiti’s most vulnerable populations. This year alone, Direct Relief has sent three shipments to HAS, including one emergency air shipment and two 40-foot refrigerated containers. One shipment received in April—containing exam gloves and electrolyte supplements—was used immediately to care for displaced patients following a violent gang outbreak in nearby Mirebalais.
During their May visit to Direct Relief’s headquarters, the HAS team toured the organization’s warehouse alongside Direct Relief’s leadership. Meetings were held throughout the day with our many counterparts at Direct Relief who dedicate themselves to supporting HAS in every way possible. A highlight was a lunchtime presentation by Jean Marc de Matteis on the current situation at HAS to the broader team at Direct Relief. The visit underscored our shared commitment to strengthening healthcare systems and responding rapidly to crises.
We are deeply grateful for Direct Relief’s unwavering partnership. Their generosity continues to empower our mission of delivering quality care, especially in times of crisis.
The plight of Haitian children is of deep concern. An approach with the supervision of Haitian Dr William Fougere (census- based impact oriented– CBIO) helped us see that no child was left out of nutrition surveillance in the 196Os. The lessons learned are now being taught at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health