#Snapshots December 2023
From Somalia to Pakistan, see the impact you’ve had as a supporter of our work this month.
Bringing Vital Mental Health Services to Ukraine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had significant effects on the mental health of people throughout the country. International Medical Corps has a long history of working both directly and with local partner organizations in Ukraine to provide mental health services to people affected by the unseen wounds of war.
Our mental health and psychosocial support team offers a range of programs to help patients — as well as the staff treating them — better cope with life in a conflict zone. Learn more about our mental health programs in Ukraine.
Promoting Hygiene Practices in Afghanistan
Afghanistan remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Limited water resources and a dry climate make communities vulnerable to water scarcity. Barely a quarter of Afghanistan’s population is estimated to have access to sanitation facilities.
Our hygiene promotion team is helping communities in Paktika province by conducting training and awareness sessions. Using creative and culturally relevant methods to promote hygiene, our teams teach children and adults about the significance of handwashing, using soap and maintaining personal hygiene.
The team’s active engagement in the village has improved water, sanitation and hygiene conditions and empowered residents to take charge of their community’s development.
Offering Healthcare Services to Refugees in Jordan
In Jordan’s Azraq refugee camp, home to nearly 38,000 Syrian refugees, International Medical Corps provides medical care in two primary healthcare clinics and a camp hospital, which together provide an average of 24,000 consultations per month.
We’re offering vital services like maternal healthcare at the Azraq Camp Hospital. Just recently, a team of midwives led by Dr. Mohamed Altaher performed an emergency C-section to save the lives of Fatima and her baby, who was in a complete breech position.
“International Medical Corps’ timely intervention saved my life and my baby’s. I am grateful to the organization for providing reproductive healthcare services at the Azraq Camp Hospital, which is helping refugee women like me to deliver safely,” says Fatima.
Supporting Recovery in Libya and Morocco
December marked three months since the devastating floods in Libya and the deadly earthquake in Morocco.
Since September, we have provided medicine, mental health support, health services and more in Libya. We are still there, bringing lifesaving healthcare to survivors.
In Morocco, we continue to work with local authorities and partners to provide support in areas affected by the quakes. Our efforts include providing hot meals and emergency supplies, including ready-to-eat foods, hygiene supplies, blankets and mattresses.
Increasing Access to Safe Water in Pakistan
Pakistan is plagued by ongoing instability and by recurrent natural disasters that uproot families from their homes and destroy livelihoods. An extreme monsoon season is affecting communities throughout the country, with weeks of heavy rainfall causing widespread flooding, which can contaminate water sources.
We’re assisting people affected by the flood by distributing water purification packets to ensure access to safe drinking water. In December, we helped 9,400 flood-affected households in three districts of Sindh province.
Building Healthy Futures in Somalia
Somalia is currently grappling with the effects of El Niño, a weather pattern in the Pacific that has worldwide effects. More than 2.4 million people in the country have been affected by floods, including 1 million displaced and 110 killed. This has worsened an already-bad food security situation, as prices spiked due to the low food supply.
In Jowhar, International Medical Corps supports 31 community health workers who identify malnourished community members and refer them to health facilities. Raho and her son, Qalid, faced significant challenges related to malnutrition. The pair was enrolled in a targeted supplementary feeding program, receiving specialized therapeutic food, medical care and close monitoring to help them recover and regain their health.
“I have seen a big change in Qalid. I am overjoyed to see his progress. He has come so far! He is active, happy and playful again,” says Raho.
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International Medical Corps is a global first responder that delivers emergency medical and related services to those affected by conflict, disaster and disease, no matter where they are, no matter the conditions. We also train people in their communities, providing them with the skills they need to recover, chart their own path to self-reliance and become effective first responders themselves. Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, we are a nonprofit with no religious or political affiliation, and now have more than 9,000 staff members around the world, 96% of whom are locally hired. Since our founding, we have operated in more than 80 countries, and have provided more than $4.4 billion in emergency relief and training to communities worldwide.
Our staff includes experts in emergency medicine, infectious disease, nutrition, mental health, maternal and infant health, gender-based violence prevention and treatment, training, and water, sanitation and hygiene, all within the humanitarian context.
To arrange an interview on or off the record, contact our Media Relations team at media@internationalmedicalcorps.org.
