Finding Aid to the Direct Relief International oral history OH 33

Finding aid prepared by Rebecca Vasquez, August 2023.

UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections

University of California, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara 93106-9010

special@library.ucsb.edu

URL: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/special-collections

2023 August

Title: Direct Relief International oral history

Identifier/Call Number: OH 33

Language of Material: English.

Contributing Institution: UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections

Physical Description: 0.99 Linear Feet; (1 document box, and 69 audiocassettes)

Creator: Carlisle, Eugene D. (Eugene Dale)

Date (inclusive): 1987-2003

Abstract: The collection contains historical accounts of and administrative records produced by Direct Relief International (DRI).

Physical Location: Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library

Language of Material: English .

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by topic into two series:

Series 1: Administrative materials
Series 2: Oral history materials

Historical Note

Direct Relief International is a non-profit medical assistance organization based in Santa Barbara, California. Since 1945, Direct Relief has been sending shipments of medical supplies and equipment worldwide to help the victims of civil unrest, natural disasters and chronic poverty. Direct Relief was founded by William Zimdin, an international financier, real estate mogul, and philanthropist who made Santa Barbara his home from 1945 to 1951, the last years of his life.

Zimdin, an Estonian immigrant, became one of the world's wealthiest men, then was twice forced to flee his home to escape political tyranny. He managed to escape with at least some of his vast wealth intact. But he was well aware that other refugees were not so fortunate. In 1948 he established a charitable foundation as a means of assisting refugees who remained in Europe after World War II. The organization provided food, clothes, and medical supplies to devastated areas; after the initial purpose was achieved, Direct Relief continued to fulfil its mission to aid those in distress due to wars or natural disasters.

Direct Relief has provided medical support with new and used medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and supplies to over 3,000 charitable health facilities worldwide. The organization receives product contributions from manufacturers, distributors, hospitals, and health clinics which it redistributes to eligible recipient facilities. Direct Relief ships more than $30 million dollars a year (wholesale value) in medical and pharmaceutical goods, and manages to do so with an exceptionally low administrative overhead of less than five percent. The organization has provided medical assistance to 150 countries, including various areas of the United States. Direct Relief's most extensive recent programs have involved aid to earthquake victims in Turkey, to the Central American communities devastated by Hurricane Mitch, and to the Kosovo refugees in Albania and Macedonia.

For additional information: DRI web site: http://www.reliefnet.org/rnet/dri.html Carlisle, Dale, A History of Direct Relief International, ©1998. Santa Barbara Independent, Vol.14, No.706, June 1-8,2000, "In Memoriam: Dezso (Dennis) Karczag, 1904-2000," an appreciation and obituary by Ken Grimwood. Santa Barbara News-Press, 5/31/00, obituary for Dezso Karczag. Dezso Karczag Papers (Mss 58).

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Eugene D. Carlisle, 1994, 1998; additional material donated from DRI, ca. 2001-2003.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], Direct Relief International oral history, OH 33. Department of Special Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Scope and Content

The collection mainly consists materials related to interviews conducted with Direct Relief International (DRI) staff and other individuals regarding the establishment history of DRI and its founders Wilhelm (William) Zimdin and Dezso (Dennis) Karczag.

Also included are published materials like annual reports and promotional materials, administrative documents, and newspaper clippings.

Related Archival Materials

Dezso Karczag Papers. Mss 58. Department of Special Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

The Karczag Papers contain the handwritten autobiography by Dezso Karczag [Dennis G. Karzag], co-founder of Santa Barbara-based Direct Relief International, along with supporting correspondence, articles, clippings, documents, photographs, and reports, ca. 1920s-1991.

Separated Materials

Carlisle, Eugene D. (Eugene Dale). A History of Direct Relief International : An International Relief Charity since 1948. California: [Eugene D. Carlisle], 1998.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

International relief -- California -- Santa Barbara -- History

Records (documents)

Annual reports

Promotional materials

Oral histories

Interviews

Sound recordings

box 1

Series 1: Administrative materials

Scope and Contents

The series includes annual reports and promotional materials, administrative documents, and newspaper clippings of articles on DRI.

Series 2: Oral history materials

Scope and Contents

This series contains audiocassette tapes and transcipts of interviews Eugene Dale Carlisle conducted with Direct Relief International (DRI) staff and other individuals regarding the establishment in 1948 and history of DRI and its founders Wilhelm (William) Zimdin and Dezso (Dennis) Karczag.

item A43557/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #9 Dennis G. Karzag 4/12/90 S.1-2 1990

item A43558/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #9 Dennis G. Karzag 4/12/90 S.3-4 1990

item A43559/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #10 Dennis G. Karzag 4/19/90 S.1-2 1990

item A43560/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #10 Dennis G. Karzag 4/19/90 S.3-4 1990

item A43561/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #11 Dennis G. Karzag 4/26/90 S.1-2 1990

item A43562/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #1 Dennis G. Karzag 3/8/90 Sides 1-2 1990

item A43563/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #1 Dennis G. Karzag 3/8/90 S.3-4 1990

item A43564/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #2 Dennis G. Karzag 3/13/90 S.1-2 1990

item A43565/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #2 Dennis G. Karzag 3/13/90 S.3-4 1990

item A43566/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #3 Dennis G. Karzag 3/15/90 S.1-2 1990

item A43567/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #3 Dennis G. Karzag 3/15/90 S.3-4 1990

item A43568/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #4 Dennis G. Karzag 3/20/90 S.1-2 1990

item A43569/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #4 Dennis G. Karzag 3/20/90 S.3-4 1990

item A43570/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #5 Dennis G. Karzag 3/22/90 S.1-2 1990

item A43571/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #5 Dennis G. Karzag 3/22/90 S.3-4 1990

item A43572/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #6 Dennis G. Karzag 3/29/90 S.1-2 1990

item A43573/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #6 Dennis G. Karzag 3/29/90 S.3-4 1990

item A43574/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #7 Dennis G. Karzag 4/5/90 S.1-2 1990

item A43575/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #7 Dennis G. Karzag 4/5/90 S.3-4 1990

item A43576/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #8 Dennis G. Karzag 4/10/90 S.1-2 1990

item A43577/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #8 Dennis G. Karzag 4/10/90 S.3-4 1990

item A43578/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #1 Dennis G. Karzag 3/8/90 S.1-2 MASTER 1990

item A43579/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #1 Dennis G. Karzag 3/8/90 Side 3 only MASTER 1990

item A43580/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #1 Dennis G. Karzag 3/8/90 S.1-2 COPY 1990

item A43581/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #1 Dennis G. Karzag 3/8/90 Side 3 only COPY 1990

item A43582/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #2 Dennis G. Karzag 3/13/90 S.1-2 MASTER 1990

item A43583/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #2 Dennis G. Karzag 3/13/90 Side 3 only MASTER 1990

item A43584/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #2 Dennis G. Karzag 3/13/90 S.1-2 COPY 1990

item A43585/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #2 Dennis G. Karzag 3/13/90 Side 3 only COPY 1990

item A43586/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #3 Dennis G. Karzag 3/15/90 S.1-2 MASTER 1990

item A43587/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #3 Dennis G. Karzag 3/15/90 Side 3 only MASTER 1990

item A43588/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #3 Dennis G. Karzag 3/15/90 S.1-2 COPY 1990

item A43589/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #3 Dennis G. Karzag 3/15/90 Side 3 only COPY 1990

item A43590/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #4 Dennis G. Karzag 3/20/90 S.1-2 MASTER 1990

item A43591/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #4 Dennis G. Karzag 3/20/90 S.3-4 MASTER 1990

item A43592/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #4 Dennis G. Karzag 3/20/90 S.1-2 COPY 1990

item A43593/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #4 Dennis G. Karzag 3/20/90 S.3-4 COPY 1990

item A43594/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #5 Dennis G. Karzag 3/22/90 S.1-2 MASTER 1990

item A43595/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #5 Dennis G. Karzag 3/22/90 Side 3 only MASTER 1990

item A43596/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #5 Dennis G. Karzag 3/22/90 S.1-2 COPY 1990

item A43597/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #5 Dennis G. Karzag 3/22/90 Side 3 only COPY 1990

item A43598/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #6 Dennis G. Karzag 3/29/90 S.1-2 MASTER 1990

item A43599/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #6 Dennis G. Karzag 3/29/90 Side 3 only MASTER 1990

item A43600/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #6 Dennis G. Karzag 3/29/90 S.1-2 COPY 1990

item A43601/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #6 Dennis G. Karzag 3/29/90 Side 3 only COPY 1990

item A43602/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #7 Dennis G. Karzag 4/5/90 S.1-2 MASTER 1990

item A43603/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #7 Dennis G. Karzag 4/5/90 Side 3 only MASTER 1990

item A43604/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #7 Dennis G. Karzag 4/5/90 S.1-2 COPY 1990

item A43605/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #7 Dennis G. Karzag 4/5/90 Side 3 only COPY 1990

item A43606/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #8 Dennis G. Karzag 4/10/90 S.1-2 MASTER 1990

item A43607/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #8 Dennis G. Karzag 4/10/90 S.3-4 MASTER 1990

item A43608/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #8 Dennis G. Karzag 4/10/90 S.1-2 COPY 1990

item A43609/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #8 Dennis G. Karzag 4/10/90 S.3-4 COPY 1990

item A43610/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #9 Dennis G. Karzag 4/12/90 S.1-2 MASTER 1990

item A43611/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #9 Dennis G. Karzag 4/12/90 S.3-4 MASTER 1990

item A43612/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #9 Dennis G. Karzag 4/12/90 S.1-2 COPY 1990

item A43613/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #9 Dennis G. Karzag 4/12/90 S.3-4 COPY 1990

item A43614/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #10 Dennis G. Karzag 4/19/90 S.1-2 MASTER 1990

item A43615/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #10 Dennis G. Karzag 4/19/90 S.3-4 MASTER 1990

item A43616/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #10 Dennis G. Karzag 4/19/90 S.1-2 COPY 1990

item A43617/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #10 Dennis G. Karzag 4/19/90 S.3-4 COPY 1990

item A43618/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #11 Dennis G. Karzag 4/26/90 S.1-2 MASTER 1990

item A43619/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #11 Dennis G. Karzag 4/26/90 S.1-2 COPY 1990

item A43620/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #12 Steve Gibbens 6/16/94 S.1-2 ORIG. 1990

item A43621/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #12 Steve Gibbens 6/16/94 S.3 ORIG. 1994

item A43622/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #12 Steve Gibbens 6/16/94 S.1-2 MASTER 1994

item A43623/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #12 Steve Gibbens 6/16/94 S.1-2 COPY 1994

item A43624/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #12 Steve Gibbens 6/16/94 S.3 MASTER 1994

item A43625/CS

Direct Relief International - Santa Barbara, California: Interview #12 Steve Gibbens 6/16/94 S.3 COPY 1994