Left: An orphan of the Haiti
earthquake is comforted by a
rescue worker. RIGHT: A child
in Darfur.
Aid That Lasts
International Medical Corps is able to respond quickly to a humanitarian crisis,
whether it’s a result of a natural disaster or war. But it’s what happens after the
primary crisis is over that sets the organization apart.
By kerry rogers
W
hen a catastrophe happens anywhere in the world – be it a natural disaster or a conflict event – International
Medical Corps is among the first to arrive on the scene. Quick response to an emergency is crucial according to President
and CEO, Nancy Aossey (YPO Bel Air, WPO Los Angeles). The period immediately following a natural disaster is
critical for saving lives. This means teams aim to reach the scene within 48 hours. With staff all over the world, and
highly efficient planning and set-up systems, this is possible. But immediate relief is only the start of International Medical Corps’
work. Once the effects of the disaster are under control, it does not wash its hands and walk away: it sticks around, training locals,
growing infrastructure and setting up self-supporting programs. The idea is to grow affected and existing healthcare programs and
guide them back to self-reliance. Through an emphasis on training during relief operations, local health professionals are given skills
and knowledge to continue programs in the long term. This training stands International Medical Corps in good stead for the future
too – one of the reasons it was able to respond so quickly to the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia was that it had existing staff and infrastructure
in the area. Perhaps the most important aspects of infrastructure are clean water and sanitation. As Aossey says, “Without clean water
and sanitation, public health cannot be achieved.” More than a billion people – 20 percent of the world’s population – live without
clean water and nearly three billion live without adequate sanitation services. As a result, more than five million people die from
waterborne diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid each year. International Medical Corps runs projects to ensure these basic
human needs are met, including training healthcare workers to educate communities about nutrition, hygiene and sanitation; and by
building wells, toilets and water-treatment and waste-management systems. It’s a holistic, long-term approach that continues to save
lives and empowers communities to improve living conditions long into the future. >>
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Establish partnerships
The first partner International Medical Corps seeks
to build a relationship with is the local Ministry of
Health. ERTs also look for other NGOs with whom
to establish working groups. This is especially
helpful in areas outside the scope of International
Medical Corps – for example, building homes
or schools. Fact: At HQ level, the EMT shares
information with InterAction (the largest
coordinating organization of NGOs), the UN,
and the Emergency Directors meetings.
4
Deliver vital services
International Medical Corps’ policies and
processes focus not simply on the delivery
of lifesaving services to the beneficiaries
but also on observing their moral and legal
rights. Fact:The main areas covered in an
emergency response are primary healthcare,
emergency medical services, public health
and disease prevention, nutrition, mental
health, and sexual and gender-based
violence treatment and prevention.
5
Begin long-term recovery
The ERT analyzes the emergency in its sociopolitical, cultural and environmental contexts.
This way, once the emergency is under control,
locals can take over restoration activities
seamlessly. Fact: International Medical Corps’
approach ensures that communities and local
support systems are included in programming
decisions from the outset, so that solutions are
sustainable in the long term: 96 percent of fieldbased staff are recruited from local communities.
connect / usa Disaster Management: www.wessex.ac.uk (conferences) connect / mexico world conference on ecologiocal restoration: www.ser2011.org/en
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