International Medical Corps http://imcworldwide.com/ Sat, 22 Nov 2008 04:31:12 GMT SyntaxCMS via FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://imcworldwide.com/content/media/detail/2011/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://imcworldwide.com/content/article/detail/2010/ Photo: International Medical Corps/Margaret Aguirre In June Ben Affleck spoke with an International Medical Corps program coordinator at a primary health care and nutrition facility in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. Following the recent surge in violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, actor Ben Affleck toured International Medical Corps programs near Goma to learn more about how the violence is affecting the population and the challenges IMC faces in delivering medical care and nutrition services. Affleck last visited IMC's operations in the displacement camps in June.
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International Medical Corps is responding to the recent violence, providing hundreds of thousands of civilians with emergency relief. Read IMC's most recent update from Goma below.




Admid a Lull in Hostilities in Democratic Republic of Congo, International Medical Corps Continues to Deliver Life-saving Medical Relief

Photo: International Medical Corps

Congolese military tank patrolling through region.

November 19, 2008 – Amid a lull in fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and ongoing ceasefire negotiations, International Medical Corps is scrambling to provide hundreds of thousands of civilians with medical and nutrition services, as well as prevent the spread of cholera.

An estimated 250,000 civilians have fled fighting between government and rebel troops in North Kivu Province – adding to the estimated one million people displaced by an escalation of hostilities in the region a year ago.

International Medical Corps teams have been delivering primary health care services, distributing therapeutic food, and working to prevent outbreaks of cholera; there have been more than 100 reported cases so far, and numerous deaths.

Photo: International Medical Corps

Congolese boy outside of International Medical Corps clinic.

In addition to its ongoing efforts in DRC, International Medical Corps is also mobilizing a regional response to the situation, with teams in Uganda and Burundi able to deliver assistance to the potential influx of new refugees. IMC remains deeply concerned that if hostilities do not cease, a humanitarian catastrophe could unfold and quickly spread across the region.

International Medical Corps has been operating in the most volatile regions of DRC since the mid-90’s. In North Kivu province, where much of the recent fighting has taken place, IMC runs primary health care clinics and nutrition programs that serve more than 300,000 people.
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Photo: International Medical Corps Congolese military tank patrolling through region. As fighting resumed Friday in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and rebels appeared poised to seize Goma, International Medical Corps is deeply concerned that a humanitarian catastrophe could unfold and quickly spread across the region.

In addition to ongoing efforts in DRC, International Medical Corps is also preparing a regional response to the situation and currently has teams mobilized in Uganda and Burundi to deliver assistance to the potential influx of new refugees.

“The delivery of life-saving medical and nutrition services has already been severely curtailed,” said Pierre Willems, International Medical Corps’ Country Director in DRC. “With the resumption of fighting, even more people will be displaced and in need of care, and yet we fear the humanitarian corridor for delivering assistance is narrowing drastically by the hour.”

Photo: International Medical Corps

Congolese boy outside of International Medical Corps clinic.

There is also the imminent danger of disease outbreaks; so far, more than 100 cases of cholera have been reported, along with numerous deaths.

An estimated 200,000 civilians have fled fighting between government and rebel troops in North Kivu Province – adding to the estimated one million people displaced by an escalation of hostilities in the region a year ago.

Rebel leader Laurent Nkunda declared a unilateral ceasefire over the weekend, and so far it has held. However, a rebel spokesman has said the groundwork is being laid for a generalized war in the region.

International Medical Corps has been operating in the most volatile regions of DRC since the mid-90’s. In North Kivu province, where much of the recent fighting has taken place, IMC runs primary health care clinics and nutrition programs that serve more than 300,000 people.
]]> Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:45:00 GMT http://imcworldwide.com/content/media/detail/2007/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:15:00 GMT http://imcworldwide.com/content/media/detail/2006/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:00:00 GMT http://imcworldwide.com/content/media/detail/2005/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:45:00 GMT http://imcworldwide.com/content/article/detail/2004/

Photo: Aosama Jaleel Nahey

Research shows that people who have been exposed to war are at greater risk of long-term mental health problems. International Medical Corps understands the weight that Iraq’s turmoil can have on children. Through IMC’s Child-Friendly Spaces, young people have a protected, carefree environment to learn, play, and grow.

Over the past five years International Medical Corps programs have been serving vulnerable children and youth in conflict affected areas throughout Iraq. In August 2008 IMC opened a Child-Friendly Space (CFS) at Al-Ethar Foundation Campus offering the children of Al-Amiriya/Al Karkh a protected, carefree environment to learn, play, and grow. This facility, which includes play spaces, classrooms, a small IT learning center, as well as sports facilities, is not only conducive to learning but can help children to overcome some of their problems in a supportive and nurturing atmosphere.

International Medical Corps recognizes the critical importance of providing young people with coping mechanisms to deal with emotional trauma, and a way to express their thoughts and emotions. Research has shown that those exposed to multiple war-time events are at greater risk of long-term mental health problems. For children, factors that increase that risk include general family conflict, fear of being beaten, witnessing someone sustaining an injury, and the loss of one’s home – whether from forced displacement or war-related destruction. While the security situation in Baghdad is much improved, the capital is still characterized by checkpoints, property searches and random outbreaks of fighting. Most of the youth in this area have lost at least one family member to violence and have personally witnessed fighting or aggressive behavior.

The CFS at Al-Ethar Foundation Campus is yet another project that is making great strides towards helping Iraqi children recover from the effects of war. Since the opening ceremony in August, International Medical Corps’ child protection experts have provided guidance and support. One of the activities is a “Story Project" where approximately 30 children ages 6-12 come together each month to exchange stories and discuss ideas. The program offers vulnerable children, in particular orphans, an opportunity to express their ideas. Centre staff engage the children in a variety of ways, including the use of a projector to show images on a particular theme that then stimulate discussion.

During a recent visit International Medical Corps’ staff was particularly impressed with the engagement and enthusiasm of the children in this class and decided to expand the project to include a story-writing element. Now after each meeting the children are encouraged to write a story, with the best one winning a prize. The first story competition generated great enthusiasm - a total of 42 children submitted compositions on the topic of “peace”. Children wrote about their personal experiences of conflict, what they witnessed, their feelings, needs and suffering, stories about friends and families, as well as their understanding of peace.

Photo: Aosama Jaleel Nahey

Children engage enthusiastically in a class at an International Medical Corps Child-Friendly Space. One of the activities, Story Project, encourages children ages six to 12 to come together every month to exchange stories and discuss ideas. This offers children, orphans in particular, an outlet to express their ideas and feelings.

Ten-year-old Muhammed lost his father during the war. Despite this painful loss Muhammed speaks of his love for his country and his people and prays that one day he will see unity in Iraq. He writes: "I lost my home. I live in a wounded country bleeding tears just like my tears for my father. I will not despair of my situation despite my young age. I will defend my country and pray to God for the unity of my people."

Nine-year-old Wijdan tells the story of her friend who was hospitalized after a bomb was detonated while she was on her way to school. The friend sustained serious injuries. During that time she dreamt of being back at school. Once back at school, she was still gripped with fear and finds it difficult to accept what happened to her that day. Wijdan writes "The passing of time has not made me feel secure. I am filled with sadness when I think of what happened to my friends …But still we thank God for everything."

Ten-year-old Dina also experienced violence, intimidation and fear on her way to school. One morning, shooting erupted and people began running in all directions; some had been injured. Soon the streets were filled with an eerie silence. Dina did not attend school for the rest of that year. When security improved in her area Dina was delighted to return to school. She writes: ”The streets are once again filled with people and the markets are beautiful again."

Photo: International Medical Corps

Two girls enjoy a snack at an International Medical Corps Child-Friendly Space, where they can laugh and play with other children.

A young girl named Noor, in her composition titled "The Girl and Destiny," writes of the trauma of losing her father to violence. Her mother is also terminally ill with cancer. She has a baby brother. She tries to visualize what would happen if her mother were to die. She imagines being sent to live with her uncle where she is treated like a servant, while also trying to care for her baby brother. Noor is determined to finish secondary school and train to become a teacher. She writes: "I am strong because I believe in destiny but my belief in God and this country is greater."

Other children write prayers for peace. Mustafa writes "Almighty god make this country safe. Bless its food. Grant us the blessing. Award it peace and stability. May the children of Iraq live in peace with a smile on their face."

Children and adults both need mechanisms for coping with their painful thoughts and memories. Writing a story has proved an undeniably effective tool, and the 'Story Project' is allowing children to express themselves in a creative and therapeutic manner.

Funded by USAID/OFDA, Child-Friendly Spaces are a major component of International Medical Corps' protection portfolio – programs that serve vulnerable children and youth in conflict-affected areas. The Spaces are also one of the most needed long-term development interventions in Iraq.

International Medical Corps has established five Child-Friendly Spaces in Iraq through the support of USAID/OFDA and UNICEF and plans to create at least 13 over the coming period.]]> Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:30:00 GMT http://imcworldwide.com/content/media/detail/2002/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:45:00 GMT http://imcworldwide.com/content/media/detail/2001/ Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:30:00 GMT http://imcworldwide.com/content/media/detail/2000/ Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:00:00 GMT http://imcworldwide.com/content/media/detail/1999/ Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:30:00 GMT http://imcworldwide.com/content/article/detail/1998/ Photo: International Medical Corps Children laugh as jerry cans and hygiene items are distributed. The first confirmed cases of Cholera in Iraq in the 2008 season arose in late August. A child returning from Eastern Iraq had died in Baghdad. As government testing facilities mobilized, International Medical Corps prepared for the worst. Supplies were already in place and IMC staff members were put on heightened alert, relying on their networks of healthcare workers and local leaders as a ground-level early warning system for any potential outbreaks. By October, IMC had reached tens of thousands of Iraqis at risk of falling victim to cholera in Anbar, Baghdad, and Babil governorates. Below are snapshots of how cholera struck different communities, and how IMC and its partners mobilized to contain the problem.

Babil
Early September brought rumors and speculation of a major cholera event in Babil governorate’s central city of Hilla and the surrounding area. UNICEF, International Medical Corps’ partner in an emergency response program called IMPACT, asked IMC to investigate reports of dozens of deaths and hundreds of additional cases flooding the hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centers of this area immediately south of Baghdad. By working closely with Directorate of Health (DoH) officials and healthcare administrators IMC was able to establish within four hours that early reports of twenty deaths and 200 to 500 cases were exaggerated. Media outlets had reported that one hospital had set up tented spaces to receive the overflow of cholera cases, as a sign that the hospital was already full. Media also reported that the tents themselves were already full with patients. Ultimate, these tents were never needed, since the preparation for and treatment of actual cases outpaced their onset.

International Medical Corps recognized immediately, however, that the two confirmed deaths and 22 confirmed cases were only the beginning and an outbreak could occur rapidly if the DoH and its facilities were not prepared. Cholera kills by dehydrating its victims within days of diarrheal episodes. With timely and proper treatment, even in the most severe cases, fatalities are almost always preventable. In addition to determining the actual number of cases, IMC identified all of the affected areas and began assessing the capacity of local services to respond.

Photo: International Medical Corps

IMC Education Officer provides health and hygiene education for cholera.

Within seven hours of receiving the alert International Medical Corps and the Babil DoH had established a response plan including distribution of 45,000 units of Oral Rehydration Salts (to replace electrolytes lost by diarrhea), 1.5 million household water purification tablets to ensure immediate access to safe drinking water, eight 5,000-liter community water storage tanks to be installed, and subsequent tankering of clean water to the affected communities. The Iraqi government, including the Prime Minister’s Office, quickly offered to handle all tankering to affected areas, allowing IMC to focus on supporting DoH capacity, extending emergency response efforts already planned, and launching a safe water and hygiene awareness campaign, as well as distribution for the schools within affected communities. Ultimately, the project was expanded to 53 water storage tanks in all, with communities helping defray costs by providing many of the materials and labor for the bases on which the tanks rest.

At UNICEF’s request, International Medical Corps quickly planned and implemented a school-based clean water and hygiene awareness campaign for the affected areas. This project, covering 17 schools in the hardest-hit areas, included the distribution of 5,167 hygiene kits, 5,300 jerry cans, 1.2 million household water purification tablets and the education of more than 5,000 students and teachers about the importance and methods of water purification and hygiene.

Over the coming cholera season Babil would emerge as the most affected governorate in Iraq. As of mid-October there were three deaths among 230 cases of cholera confirmed in Babil. But the close coordination among International Medical Corps, the Directorates of Health, Water and Education, UNNICEF and local communities, prevented the outbreak from becoming far worse.

Baghdad
As cholera began to surface in August 2008 it was Baghdad which would see it first. The late August stories of a girl returning from eastern Iraq and dying shortly thereafter put International Medical Corps on alert. After being assured by the UNICEF Chief Facilitator for Health and Nutrition that the Baghdad Department of Health was well prepared for any outbreak, IMC staff began to look for alternative routes to respond. While some assistance was provided directly to the DoH in the form of Oral Rehydration Salts the bulk of IMC’s cholera response in Baghdad centered on the distribution of water purification tablets and jerry cans to students and teachers, larger water purification tablets for the school’s water supply and a health awareness campaign on the safe handling and use of water. Distribution to six schools has already been completed, where 2,272 students and 101 teachers were provided with a total of 569,500 household tablets, 2,373 jerry cans and 1,200 school water storage tank purification tablets in addition to being instructed on safe water use. The additional nine schools should raise the number of children directly targeted to nearly 5,800.

Photo: International Medical Corps

Girls School receives hygiene items.

Anbar
In mid-September International Medical Corps received reports of possible cholera cases in an area of Anbar governorate outside of Falluja. An assessment of the situation uncovered two cases and several other suspected cases from Naoimiyah, a community of eight tribes comprising 2,200 families. IMC staff soon discovered that the water treatment plant serving the population was not providing potable water, and there was a lack of information among the people about the links between treating water before drinking, personal hygiene and health and wellness.

Within a few days International Medical Corps distributed 800 child hygiene kits, 1,170 adult hygiene kits, 1,210 family water kits and installed 14 5,000-liter community water storage tanks to serve the 1,296 families most immediately at risk from contaminated water. The Directorate of Water (DoW)and IMC immediately began sending eight water trucks to the affected areas daily, with tankering going directly to people’s homes until the community tanks could be installed. While the DoH conducted mobile water and hygiene awareness campaigns, IMC and the DoW began the rehabilitation of the Dafar water treatment plant serving the area. IMC also provided 200 jerry cans for the transportation of chlorine for water treatment plants from the regional supply hub in Babil governorate to Anbar.

This rapid mobilization by International Medical Corps, UNICEF, and the Directorates contributed to the halt of cholera cases in Anbar, with just nine confirmed cases and no deaths.]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:45:00 GMT http://imcworldwide.com/content/media/detail/1996/ Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:30:00 GMT http://imcworldwide.com/content/article/detail/1995/ Photo: International Medical Corps Former President Bill Clinton with International Medical Corps CEO, Nancy Aossey, and PATH CEO, Christopher Elias, at the 2008 Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting. PATH and IMC are partnering up to bring new health technologies to Liberia for their 2008 Commitment. International Medical Corps (IMC) and PATH have developed a pilot project to make rapid diagnostic testing for malaria and sexually transmitted infections available to health clinics in Liberia as its 2008 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Commitment to Action. Introduced at the fourth annual CGI Annual Meeting this fall, the commitment focuses on simple, low-resource testing services so that the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and sexually transmitted diseases can be done more accurately and effectively. This initiative comes at a time when Liberia is working to rebuild its health care infrastructure after two decades of civil war.

PATH is an international, non-profit organization that works with private firms to develop and promote access to simple tests in low-resource settings that lack laboratory facilities. International Medical Corps and PATH will work together to expand access to these technologies in relief and post- crises environments. PATH will provide training on the technologies that will be introduced in 22 International Medical Corps health clinics across three different counties. Through the training, local health care workers will be able to administer the tests and improve the well-being of their communities, an objective that is tightly aligned with IMC’s dedication to education and self-reliance.

In Liberia, where the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates life expectancy at just short of 42 years, the rapid diagnostic technologies will enhance the local health care system’s ability to combat two common infectious diseases that are often causes of mortality. According to the WHO, 19 percent of deaths under five years of age are caused by malaria. With approximately 1.1 million malaria cases every year, it is critical for health care workers to be able to identify the disease quickly so they can treat it and start to prevent new cases from occurring.

Sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis can also be deadly. For pregnant women infected with syphilis, the risk of prenatal death is estimated at a very high 40 percent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This leads to approximately 500,000 prenatal deaths every year. The WHO predicts that there are 340 million new cases of curable sexually transmitted diseases and 5 million new cases of HIV every year. Rapid diagnostic testing technology is a critical element in treating existing and preventing new infections in the developing world.

International Medical Corps began work in Liberia in 2003, right after the signing of the Accra peace accord which removed President Charles Taylor from office. As Liberia now moves from a period of crisis to one of stability and growth, IMC is adapting is programming from emergency care to strengthening the country’s health systems. IMC currently manages 35 health facilities Lofa, Bomi, and Cape Mount, where the majority of displaced have resettled. The Commitment will bring the testing technologies to all three counties, training approximately 280 health care workers to effectively identify and treat malaria and syphilis.

The Clinton Global Initiative, founded in 2005 by Former President Bill Clinton, brings together the world’s best minds and innovators to create sustainable solutions to issues worldwide issues. A CGI member, International Medical Corps, contributed to the nearly $46 billion in commitments made by the community over the past four years, impacting more than 200 million lives in 150 countries. IMC’s 2008 Commitment, ‘Closing the Human Resource Gap,’ trained 600 women in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and Uganda to provide women’s health care services.]]> Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:00:00 GMT http://imcworldwide.com/content/media/detail/1994/ Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:15:00 GMT