A global coalition of humanitarian and medical organizations has announced the launch of a new program designed to safeguard kidney and dialysis patients affected by crises worldwide.
The Global Humanitarian Kidney Support Initiative, a partnership between Direct Relief, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), the European Renal Association (ERA), and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN), seeks to maintain uninterrupted care for individuals with severe kidney diseases during emergencies such as natural disasters, conflicts, and in areas with limited healthcare access.
By combining worldwide clinical nephrology expertise with practical humanitarian logistics, this initiative aims to uphold kidney care services when healthcare systems are disrupted or overwhelmed.
Patients dependent on dialysis or post-transplant therapies requiring critical medications are particularly at risk during emergencies. Continuous treatment is vital for their survival, and any disruption can quickly lead to life-threatening situations. To mitigate these dangers, the initiative will coordinate emergency assistance for healthcare facilities, supply essential medicines and materials, and provide training to healthcare workers managing care in difficult conditions.
“Consistent access to life-sustaining treatments for kidney patients can be challenging to maintain during disasters,” explained Alycia Clark, Chief Pharmacist at Direct Relief. “This partnership supports the delivery of care by ensuring facilities receive the necessary supplies, training, and coordination to provide treatment safely even in crisis settings.”
The collaborating organizations have a history of joint efforts during major crises in the U.S., Ukraine, Sudan, and other regions. The launch formalizes their cooperation, aiming to enhance the speed, coordination, and scale of future responses.
Amy Weaver, CEO of Direct Relief, emphasized, “This initiative demonstrates the greater impact achieved when organizations combine their strengths with a shared goal of addressing urgent medical needs. By bringing together nephrology leaders and humanitarian experts, we create an effective framework to deliver critical kidney care where it is most vulnerable.”
Beyond emergency relief, the initiative also focuses on sustainable improvements by bolstering healthcare infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries, expanding professional training, and promoting patient education and disease prevention. Direct Relief will oversee medical supply management and operational logistics, while ASN, ERA, and ISN will spearhead regional activities through their networks and affiliated societies.
Jeffrey Silberzweig, MD, Chair of ASN’s Humanitarian Kidney Support Program, stated, “ASN is proud to join forces with ERA, ISN, and Direct Relief. Together, we can better support patients and caregivers in areas impacted by both natural and human-made disasters, maximizing the reach of each organization’s resources. Support from corporate and foundation donors will be critical to helping people with kidney disease thrive, even in the toughest situations.”
Professor Mehmet Şükrü Sever, Chair of ERA’s Kidney Relief in Disasters Task Force, noted, “Kidney patients are among the most vulnerable in disaster zones, as their survival depends on functional healthcare infrastructure, advanced technology, and skilled personnel—often within a very short timeframe. This initiative can save lives by promoting clinical education, raising patient awareness, improving prevention strategies, and delivering essential aid when it is most needed.”
Prof. Ali Abu-Alfa, Chair of ISN’s Renal Disaster Preparedness Working Group, added, “In many regions, kidney care access is already precarious. During crises, interruptions in treatment become critically dangerous. By strengthening ties between renal professional societies and humanitarian groups, this initiative enables ISN to apply its expertise and connect local providers with urgent support.”
Looking forward, the initiative plans to broaden its impact by collaborating with pharmaceutical and medical device companies, philanthropic organizations, and global health partners to address critical care gaps and enhance ongoing support for individuals with kidney disease, particularly in areas where treatment options remain fragile.
The Global Humanitarian Kidney Support Initiative, a partnership between Direct Relief, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), the European Renal Association (ERA), and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN), seeks to maintain uninterrupted care for individuals with severe kidney diseases during emergencies such as natural disasters, conflicts, and in areas with limited healthcare access.
By combining worldwide clinical nephrology expertise with practical humanitarian logistics, this initiative aims to uphold kidney care services when healthcare systems are disrupted or overwhelmed.
Patients dependent on dialysis or post-transplant therapies requiring critical medications are particularly at risk during emergencies. Continuous treatment is vital for their survival, and any disruption can quickly lead to life-threatening situations. To mitigate these dangers, the initiative will coordinate emergency assistance for healthcare facilities, supply essential medicines and materials, and provide training to healthcare workers managing care in difficult conditions.
“Consistent access to life-sustaining treatments for kidney patients can be challenging to maintain during disasters,” explained Alycia Clark, Chief Pharmacist at Direct Relief. “This partnership supports the delivery of care by ensuring facilities receive the necessary supplies, training, and coordination to provide treatment safely even in crisis settings.”
The collaborating organizations have a history of joint efforts during major crises in the U.S., Ukraine, Sudan, and other regions. The launch formalizes their cooperation, aiming to enhance the speed, coordination, and scale of future responses.
Amy Weaver, CEO of Direct Relief, emphasized, “This initiative demonstrates the greater impact achieved when organizations combine their strengths with a shared goal of addressing urgent medical needs. By bringing together nephrology leaders and humanitarian experts, we create an effective framework to deliver critical kidney care where it is most vulnerable.”
Beyond emergency relief, the initiative also focuses on sustainable improvements by bolstering healthcare infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries, expanding professional training, and promoting patient education and disease prevention. Direct Relief will oversee medical supply management and operational logistics, while ASN, ERA, and ISN will spearhead regional activities through their networks and affiliated societies.
Jeffrey Silberzweig, MD, Chair of ASN’s Humanitarian Kidney Support Program, stated, “ASN is proud to join forces with ERA, ISN, and Direct Relief. Together, we can better support patients and caregivers in areas impacted by both natural and human-made disasters, maximizing the reach of each organization’s resources. Support from corporate and foundation donors will be critical to helping people with kidney disease thrive, even in the toughest situations.”
Professor Mehmet Şükrü Sever, Chair of ERA’s Kidney Relief in Disasters Task Force, noted, “Kidney patients are among the most vulnerable in disaster zones, as their survival depends on functional healthcare infrastructure, advanced technology, and skilled personnel—often within a very short timeframe. This initiative can save lives by promoting clinical education, raising patient awareness, improving prevention strategies, and delivering essential aid when it is most needed.”
Prof. Ali Abu-Alfa, Chair of ISN’s Renal Disaster Preparedness Working Group, added, “In many regions, kidney care access is already precarious. During crises, interruptions in treatment become critically dangerous. By strengthening ties between renal professional societies and humanitarian groups, this initiative enables ISN to apply its expertise and connect local providers with urgent support.”
Looking forward, the initiative plans to broaden its impact by collaborating with pharmaceutical and medical device companies, philanthropic organizations, and global health partners to address critical care gaps and enhance ongoing support for individuals with kidney disease, particularly in areas where treatment options remain fragile.