Libya: 120 Day Response

Overview of the Situation in Libya

After more than 40 years of Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi’s leadership, the unrest spreading throughout the Arab world erupted in Libya in mid-February 2011. After living for decades under Gaddafi’s authoritarian regime, with repression of political and civic freedoms and persistent grievances regarding the unequal distribution of wealth, the people of Libya, encouraged by developments in neighboring countries, started to push for regime change. It began in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, with the eastern Cyrenaica region in opposition control by February 23 and opposition supporters later forming the Interim National Transitional Council. Uprisings also commenced in Misurata, Zawiya and the Nafusa Mountains region. Gaddafi responded, ordering his troops and supporters to crush the uprising in a televised speech, descending the country into civil war.

While rebel fighters formulated an army and gained ground, it quickly appeared as though the battle would be mismatched, with Gaddafi forces possessing superior weapons and skills and outnumbering rebel forces. As Gaddafi forces advanced towards Benghazi, however, the United Nations Security Council approved the implementation of a no-fly zone over Libya, including ‘‘all necessary measures to protect civilians”. International coalition forces launched airstrikes on March 19, later coming under NATO command and preventing any further advancement of Gaddafi forces to the east. Thus far any negotiations for ceasefire arrangements have proved unsuccessful and fighting near Brega in the east, outside of Misurata, and in the Western Mountains region continues.

Amid this conflict, the civilian population has suffered significantly. The conflict has halted traditional supply routes, displaced whole communities, inflicted civilian casualties and, in some cases, whole cities and towns have been besieged by Gaddafi forces causing extreme hardship upon the population. Libyan people have faced shortages of food, water, fuel, electricity and access to adequate health care. Health facilities have been stretched to their limits, facing increased caseloads due to the conflict. Concurrently, central supply chains for medications and medical supplies have been cut and large numbers of foreign nurses have departed the country, leaving facilities with urgent shortages of these critical staff. In Misurata, the overload on hospitals, with an average of 70 casualties a day at the height of the fighting, created a critical need for medical evacuations to reduce the pressure on these facilities. Assistance to lessen these hardships and provide medical support for the people of Libya will be needed as the conflict continues, and in the aftermath.

As of June 27, 120 days after the commencement of International Medical Corps’ response in Libya, the conflict persists, including in the Western Mountains region, on the outskirts of Misurata and to the east, outside of Brega. Due to the conflict, almost a million people have fled Libya across its borders, with many also displaced internally within the country.

International Medical Corps’ Response

Indicates where International Medical Corps’ has conducted assessments/provided support.

International Medical Corps deployed an Emergency Response Team (ERT) to Libya on February 24, 2011 and was one of the first international NGOs to arrive in Benghazi on February 27. The team immediately began assessing health needs, with initial efforts focusing on distributing needed supplies to health facilities and also to populations of displaced people. Since this time, International Medical Corps’ efforts in Libya have expanded, in response to significant developments in the conflict, and the corresponding situation for civilians. Teams are currently in eastern Libya, the Western Mountains, the Misurata area and also along the Tunisian side of the Libya/Tunisia border, where large numbers of people have fled the violence. As access permits, International Medical Corps is also trying to reach additional areas in western Libya to provide needed humanitarian assistance.

Throughout Libya and also on the borders with Tunisia and Egypt, International Medical Corps’ teams are providing: supplies and medical personnel to support health facilities; medical consultations and lifesaving surgeries; care for the medical evacuation of patients; essential supplies to people displaced by the conflict; and training to assist health care staff to deliver support to those affected by the conflict.

Emergency Response Summary

28 health facilities supported

12,390 medical consultations

1,465 major surgeries

466 medical evacuees provided care, including 50 ICU cases 142 qualified medical staff deployed:  79 nurses  63 doctors (51 volunteers) 300+ people trained:  140 hospital staff in psychological first aid  21 teachers and 74 refugee camp staff in psychological first aid.  36 hospital staff in gender-based violence guiding principles  36 ambulance staff in safe transportation and equipment 13 Interagency emergency health kits (each serves 30,000 people/ mth),

trauma kits and surgical kits distributed

7,250+ hygiene kits distributed

20,000 kilos of food aid and 49,000 liters of bottled water 5,500 bars of soap, 1,300 blankets, 150 mattresses and other non- food items delivered to displaced populations 80 tonnes of medications & medical supplies delivered $1.76 M in medicines and medical supplies donated by our in-kind partners delivered to needed health facilities

International Medical Corps would like to acknowledge the generous support from our donors and supporters for the Libya response including: USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), The UK Department for International Development (DFID), Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Stichting Vluchteling, AmeriCares, Heart to Heart, International Health Partners UK, International Relief Teams, MAP International, I-Go Aid Foundation, Libyan Aid, Merchant Community of Benghazi, UNICEF, UNFPA, United Nations World Food Programme, Medical Teams International, and our private donors.

International Medical Corps’ Major Events in Libya Key Response Achievements

International Medical Corps’ Major Events in Libya

Key Response Achievements

Eastern Libya

Indicates where International Medical Corps has conducted assessments/provided support.

While the situation in Benghazi and much of the east has recently stabilized, the central hospitals in Benghazi and Ajdabiya have continued to receive casualties from the conflict and many people have been displaced from areas close to the conflict. In addition, health facilities have faced significant nursing shortages following the exodus of a large number of foreign nurses. At the Benghazi Medical Center, the largest health facility in eastern Libya, pediatric and gynecology wings were closed due to these shortages. These challenges, coupled with shortages of medical supplies due to severed central supply lines, have greatly impacted health care provision in eastern Libya.

Following, International Medical Corps’ ERT arrival in Benghazi on February 27 and assessments identifying shortages of medical supplies and medications as well as staff shortages at hospitals, the team immediately began response activities. On February 28, medical supplies were provided to the Al- Jella Hospital in Benghazi and three doctors were seconded to hospitals in Benghazi. On March 2, the team distributed 300 blankets, lab supplies, chronic medications and other medical supplies to the community in the Benghazi governorate.

From the initial Benghazi base of International Medical Corps’ response efforts in Libya, teams have conducted assessments and provided support as far as Ra’s Lanuf to the west and Derna and Tobruk to the east, as well as to the centers of Benghazi and Ajdabiya and surrounding areas. Response efforts in the east have focused on Jordanian Health Aid Society To provide needed medical staff in Libya, providing support to health facilities, internally displaced International Medical Corps has worked in persons and medical evacuations from Misurata. partnership with the Jordanian Health Aid Society (JHAS), a local Jordanian NGO. This A major response effort has been the provision of 51 partnership has been mutually beneficial, with nursing staff to support health facilities in eastern Libya, International Medical Corps helping to strengthen JHAS’ capacity and at the same time, including the Benghazi Medical Center, with further JHAS staff have been readily available to deployments planned for this ongoing need. International International Medical Corps to deploy to Libya to Medical Corps surgeons also provided assistance at the provide much needed support to health facilities.

Al Majory polyclinic. Medications and medical supplies have also been provided to numerous facilities, based on assessed needs. Supplies have been delivered to central health facilities, including Al-Jella hospital, Benghazi Medical Center, Ajdabiya hospital, Brega Polyclinic, Tobruk Hospital and the Quefia Chest Hospital in Benghazi, where more than a two-month supply of tuberculosis and antibiotic medications was provided. International Medical Corps has also provided medical supplies to smaller clinics, to support the provision of primary health care in the region, including in Soltan (north of Ajdabiya), Zweitina (north of Ajdbaiya), Albethnan (east of Ajdabiya) and Al Marj (north of Benghazi).

International Medical Corps has provided trainings to staff at three health facilities in Benghazi (Benghazi Medical Center, Al-Jella Hospital and the Benghazi Psychiatric Hospital) designed to improve their capacity to provide support to those affected by the conflict, including survivors of sexual assault. Technical trainings have also been conducted including training for ambulance staff and for staff providing dialysis services and a symposium was held at the Benghazi Medical Center on Advanced Trauma Support, which was attended by 40 doctors and nurses. Training of teachers has also recently been undertaken, with 21 teachers trained in providing psychological first aid to children. These trainings demonstrate International Medical Corps’ focus on strengthening capacity, with further trainings planned to further enhance the local community’s ability to provide needed services.

International Medical Corps is also working with the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Benghazi, and has seconded a technical advisor to provide broad strategic health systems advice. This includes briefings on the various roles of the international organizations and logistics assistance for coordination meetings, as well as other assistance to strengthen the MOH’s capacity. Assistance was also provided to the Libya National Council Medical Supply Committee to establish a unified mechanism for managing the reporting of needed medical supplies and the coordination of donors.

The main hospital in Ajdabiya has received many of the casualties from the conflict on the eastern front, at one point having to evacuate staff and patients due to the proximity of the fighting and threat to security. International Medical Corps has provided nursing staff as well as medical supplies, including two emergency health kits and a generator for backup power supply to assist the functioning of this vital central health facility. In addition, 27,000 liters of bottled water, a shipment of diapers and feminine hygiene pads, and food items were provided to the community distribution centre on March 28, when fighting was close to the city and basic supplies were limited. With significant troop numbers from both sides of the fighting now stationed between Ajdabiya and Brega, International Medical

Corps is providing additional support to the hospital in anticipation of an escalation in fighting and resultant casualties requiring care at the facility.

With an estimated 100,000 internally displaced people within eastern Libya due to the conflict, International Medical Corps has distributed needed items, including 2,000 hygiene kits, 5,500 bars of soap, over 1,300 blankets, 150 mattresses and 48,600 liters of bottled water. As the conflict threatened Ajdabiya, tens of thousands of people fled to safer areas and International Medical Corps was close by assessing needs and responding. In the small town of Albethnan, International Medical Corps identified approximately 20,000 displaced people temporarily residing there, experiencing shortages of many essential items. To address urgent needs in IDP settlements, International Medical Corps distributed food and supplies in the towns of Albethnan and Genane. These distributions were undertaken in conjunction with the boy scouts of Benghazi and a community-organized humanitarian convoy. Food, water, 150 mattresses, charcoal, fuel and generators were distributed by International Medical Corps to these communities, with many supplies and items provided through the generosity of local vendors and community members in Benghazi. In the Albethnan health clinic, which was significantly overstretched in responding to the increased patient caseload, International Medical Corps provided essential medications, including one Interagency Emergency Health Kit (IEHK), and medical staff, including one doctor and two nurses to assist in the provision of medical care.

The primary health care system in the Ajdabiya region is suffering due to the current crisis, with a lack of medical staff at all primary health care clinics adding further pressure on the central hospital. International Medical Corps is providing support for primary health care through the deployment of mobile medical teams to clinics in the region, in coordination with the MOH in Ajdabiya for visits to identified health centers. North of Benghazi, in Al Marj, International Medical Corps also has commenced mobile medical team operations to provide primary health care support to facilities. On June 22, consultations were provided for 20 disabled children including specialized evaluations by a pediatric neurologist and endocrinologist. As other primary health care centers in Al Marj are also noted to be suffering medical staff shortages, International Medical Corps has ascertained that mobile medical teams will be beneficial in providing needed support to facilities in this region, with additional visits planned.

In eastern Libya, International Medical Corps will continue to provide support to health facilities. The team is also focusing efforts on establishing a rehabilitation center in Benghazi to serve the large numbers of war-wounded, including at least 600 amputees.

At the Egyptian border, International Medical Corps provided support to the large numbers of third- country nationals fleeing the violence. Medical personnel support and supplies (including an IEHK) were provided to the Ministry of Health Clinic serving the camp near Salloum, where the majority of the migrant workers reside pending onwards transportation. Furthermore, a nurse to escort migrant workers in their long transits to Cairo was provided to ensure safe transportation conditions.

Misurata

Indicates where International Medical Corps has conducted assessments/provided support.

Misurata, the third largest city in Libya, was besieged by Gaddafi forces for months. As a result, the population faced dire shortages of medical supplies and food. Electricity was cut to large portions of the population for extended periods and hospitals were stretched beyond capacity, at times without beds available for any additional patients. With heavy shelling on the city of Misurata, and high numbers of civilian and combatant casualties, International Medical Corps responded, orchestrating the provision of urgently needed medical staff and medical supplies via a small fishing boat from Malta on April 10. Since this time, International Medical Corps has deploying over 50 medical staff (many of International Medical Corps/JHAS staff attending to a patient struggling for his life, on a medevac from Misurata. them Libyan expatriates) who have performed over Photo courtesy of UNHCR / H. Caux 1,200 surgeries and provided approximately 33 tonnes of urgently required medical supplies in order to support the operations of the two main hospitals receiving casualties. In addition, over 20,000 kilograms of food aid was provided to assist with shortages, along with a number of generators to power essential facilities. This aid has been delivered from both Malta and Benghazi supply routes.

With fighting entering the city streets of Misurata, health facilities were overwhelmed as they received an average of 70 casualties per day, many of them civilians, including women and children. To assist over-stretched hospitals in Misurata, maritime evacuations of medical patients became necessary. International Medical Corps assisted with provision of care for over 400 medical evacuations of patients - many in critical condition - to Benghazi. A field hospital provided by Libyan Aid and installed on a ship enabled International Medical Corps to directly medevac 137 patients in urgent need of medical care. With casualties still being received from fighting outside of the city, the need for medevacs is ongoing. International Medical Corps stands ready to provide this support as needed.

International Medical Corps treats patients at the Dafniya Field Hospital (Photo: Zohra Bensemra: Reuters)

While fighting has since moved outside of the city, many challenges remain. Approximately 35 kilometers west, Dafniya is receiving large numbers of casualties from the nearby front lines. 150 injured and 31 dead were received in just one day on June 10. International Medical Corps is supporting the forward aid station in Dafniya, which is providing lifesaving care, with supplies and staffing. In addition, International Medical Corps has established a field hospital in Dafniya to provide further support to all casualties wounded in the conflict. The field hospital consists of an operating room, treatment areas for ICU and emergency cases, as well as a pharmacy, administrative facilities and a prayer area. International Medical Corps has fully staffed the hospital including surgeons, orthopedists, anesthetists and nurses.

With more than 630 dead and 6,000 injured received by hospitals since the beginning of the war, and further casualties expected to place an ever-greater burden on health facilities, International Medical Corps continues to provide needed medical personnel and supplies.

Trainings to build capacity are also planned, with Emergency Medic Training already underway for 50 senior medical students. The four- week course will educate students on basic trauma evaluation and management using didactic lectures, skill sessions, and clinical teaching. Once trained, emergency medics will be deployed to the front lines to provide on-scene care, patient stabilization and preparation for transport. They will also staff the ambulances, forward aid stations, and receiving hospitals. In addition, International Medical Corps is planning to implement rehabilitation and psychosocial programs to provide further needed support to those affected by the conflict.

With reports that the city of Zliten, under siege by Gaddafi forces, is experiencing critical shortages of essential items - similar to the situation in Misurata some weeks ago - International Medical Corps is also assessing mechanisms to provide vital needs to this city.

Western Libya

Indicates where International Medical Corps has conducted assessments/provided support.

In the initial weeks of the conflict, humanitarian organizations were not able to access western Libya. Fighting erupted in the Western Mountains region between Gaddafi and opposition forces, with civilian settlements significantly impacted through targeted attacks by Grad missiles, bombings, rockets and shelling. Fighting has been particularly fierce for control of the Wazin border post, the entry point to the Western Mountains. Following opposition forces’ seizure of the border post on April 21, near continuous shelling of the border area has occurred and heavy fighting has occasionally carried over the Tunisian border. In response, International Medical Corps was able to send the first delivery of needed supplies into western Libya on March 26, followed by a medical team on April 18.

Health facilities in the region are receiving a high number of casualties, including civilians and combatants from both sides, as a result of the conflict. Due to the increased medical care needs, hospitals have requested assistance for supplies and staffing. To respond to these needs, International Medical Corps currently has three surgical teams in the western mountains, integrated into the hospital staff that have provided 5335 consultations and performed over 262 surgeries.

In addition to providing this vital support for medical care, needed medications, medical supplies, and surgical equipment have been delivered to Nalut, Cabao, Jadu, and Zintan, as well as recently to Yefren and al-Qalaa. Some of these facilities report that the supplies from International Medical Corps are the first assistance that they have received from the humanitarian community. Staffing and supply support in the region is ongoing, including a recent visit to Yefren, as the fighting continues to exact a significant toll on the population. International Medical Corps’ teams are also prepared to extend the provision aid in the region as possible.

Tunisian/Libyan border

Indicates where International Medical Corps has conducted assessments/provided support.

Since International Medical Corps’ deployment of an Emergency Response Team on March 2, activities on the Tunisian side of the Libya/Tunisia border have expanded. As almost half a million people have crossed into Tunisia, International Medical Corps is providing assistance to Libyan refugees and third-country nationals who continue to flee the violence, providing health services through field clinics at Ra’s Ajdir, Dehibat and recently at the Shousha camp. Collectively, International Medical Corps has provided more than 6,800 consultations at these health posts.

At the health post at the Ra’s Ajdir transit facility, International Medical Corps is providing immediate access to care for those who cross into Tunisia. Hygiene kits are distributed to those passing through the transit camp and health and hygiene education is provided. Health post activities have also recently begun at Shousha camp, the largest camp for those displaced in the Ra’s Ajdir area. This followed International Medical Corps activities to construct privacy screens around latrines in the camp. International Medical Corps will also soon take over operations of the clinic at the Al-Hayat camp. With plans for the current transit facility to eventually close and for the Al-Hayat camp to serve as the new transit facility, International Medical Corps operations at both health posts will ensure a smooth transition for the continuation of health services for recent border arrivals.

As a consequence of the violence in the Western Mountains region, many Libyans have fled via the Dehibat border, with over 70,000 Libyans estimated to be residing in Tunisia, mostly in the areas of Dehibat, Remada and Tataouine. International Medical Corps’ health post at Dehibat is providing medical care (as well as hygiene kits, and health and hygiene education) for those in need, particularly for the large numbers of Libyan refugees. In addition, surgical care is being provided for casualties received from over the Libyan border, in coordination with the Tunisian military which is responsible for initial triage and then referral to International Medical Corps for further treatment.

To equip frontline workers at the refugee camps at Ra’s Ajdir with the skills and tools needed to support and manage the needs of a population exposed to violence and displacement, International Medical Corps provided psychological first aid training for 74 non-specialized staff most frequently interacting with the affected population. Staff will continue to receive ongoing trainings and support. International Medical Corps will also soon undertake a comprehensive mental health assessment on the needs of Libyan refugees, the prevalence of mental health cases among them and the capacity of the Tunisian health system to provide psychological support. Through this assessment International Medical Corps will identify areas to undertake psychosocial support activities which will build upon the existing local capacity.

Future Response Efforts (Near/Immediate Term)

Based upon an ongoing assessment of needs and the continuing conflict in Libya, International Medical Corps is planning to provide ongoing response efforts. At the same time, longer term needs are beginning to be considered for such a time when the conflict eventually ends.

Emergency Services

The ongoing conflict in several areas of Libya continues to present the most pressing need. As such, International Medical Corps plans to continue to provide emergency medical and surgical personnel, nursing, and other support personnel and activities, and regular supply of essential medical and surgical supplies to areas of conflict. International Medical Corps will continue to provide care to all in need of emergency services. In conjunction with the MOH in Misurata, International Medical Corps has identified that emergency medicine training programs are critically needed to train skilled emergency paramedical personnel, and has already commenced a four-week training program in Misurata for 50 senior medical students.

Medical Evacuations

As needed, International Medical Corps will continue to provide medical evacuations from Misurata and other zones of conflict. Medical staff will be provided and ships will be fitted with the necessary equipment to ensure safe medical evacuation and relieve the backlog of wounded, making beds available to accept more injured and ill patients.

Strengthening Secondary and Tertiary Referral Care

The evacuation of wounded to locations such as Benghazi for more definitive care, will put a great strain on a health care system and facilities that already are operating at a reduced capacity. International Medical Corps will continue support these facilities with additional supplies, equipment

and health care staff and training to upgrade skills, from basic nursing care to advanced trauma life support.

Strengthening Primary Care

In conflict, primary care systems and facilities suffer or collapse, supply chains are disrupted and care providers are displaced with the local population. All of the above have occurred in Libya and large numbers of people no longer have access to basic primary health care. International Medical Corps will leverage its experience in rebuilding disrupted health care systems in many countries around the world, including Afghanistan, to assist the MOH and NGOs to formulate and implement a coordinated and coherent effort to bring basic primary care initially to eastern Libya and expanding to other areas as the security situation allows.

Healing the Wounds of War Photo courtesy of UNHCR / H. Caux

The current conflict in Libya is resulting in large numbers of people who have been wounded, often with severe, life-altering wounds including amputations and head wounds, in addition toemotional wounds as profound as the physical. International Medical Corps is committed to relieving the pain and suffering of all those who have been affected and will partner with the MOH and other NGOs, local and international, to rebuild and strengthen rehabilitation services that will be community-based, holistic, and comprehensive, addressing the physical and psychological trauma that the war has inflicted on the Libyan people.

The War is Not Over When it’s Over War exacts a toll on the most vulnerable that does not end when the active conflict ceases. The provision of psychosocial support and mental health care has been identified as an important need for those affected by the conflict in Libya. International Medical Corps is working to address this need with ongoing training of staff involved in providing this care and through the development of support programs. International Medical Corps will integrate its extensive field experience in programming for protection, gender-based violence, and community-based psychosocial support into all of its programming for emergency, primary, secondary and tertiary care in Libya.

Focus on Needs of Women and Children

In conflict and post-conflict environments, women and children are especially vulnerable. International Medical Corps prioritizes the needs for women and children through the provision of maternal and child health services as well as psychosocial support and protection needs. Training, education and awareness programs empower the local community and strengthening local capacity to address the needs and issues that women and children in Libya will face in recovering from the current crisis gripping the country.

Rebuilding Health Systems

With significant experience and capacity for rebuilding disrupted health systems, International Medical Corps will offer services to the MOH and other provisional health authorities, as requested, to chart a course and begin to implement activities to rebuild Libya’s health care systems over the long-term. As part of this, education and training opportunities for MOH staff can be provided and International Medical Corps will continue to supply a technical advisor to the MOH to provide guidance for a systemic approach to health care and rebuilding disrupted health infrastructure.

Future Response Efforts (Longer Term)

Technical Assistance

In order to rebuild the post-conflict Libyan health system and adapt to the inherent changes and challenges that arise, International Medical Corps will offer technical support for the relevant health authorities to guide them on relevant best practices in establishing well-functioning health systems. International Medical Corps has already seconded an advisor to the MOH in Benghazi, and will build upon this collaboration for future health system needs. It is anticipated that once the situation stabilizes in Libya, many resources may be available for health and development needs in Libya. In this process, International Medical Corps expects favorable positioning for current donor nations to ensure that best practices are employed throughout a post-conflict Libya. Of paramount importance will be technical assistance to guide relevant Libyan actors in this process.

Nursing

With the exodus of large numbers of foreign nurses from Libya, the national capacity for Libyans to address these shortages will be paramount to the recovery of fragile health systems and its ability to meet future needs. Longer term programs will be needed to provide Libyans with the education, training and skills needed to become nurses. As these programs will have an initial delay until nurses can graduate and begin working, nursing support will continue.

Chronic Diseases

While the emergency situation is currently dominating health care demands, it will be important not to forget the ongoing health care needs for those with chronic diseases. To meet the significant burden that these diseases have on a health system, resources will need to be directed toward the care of chronic diseases, now and in the aftermath of the current crisis. International Medical Corps will work to address medical supply needs as well as the training of staff in the management of chronic diseases to assist staff in the transition.

Economic Development

With the conflict causing a significant toll on the economy of the country, many Libyans are facing difficult economic circumstances. International Medical Corps has experience in providing livelihood development programs in post-conflict countries, which particularly focus on vulnerable groups, including women, children and the elderly. Training programs and cash for work programs can be implemented to benefit local communities and assist towards strengthening of local economies.

Emergency Medical Care Development

To improve access to quality emergency medical care for the local population, International Medical Corps undertakes a system-wide approach to strengthening emergency care across the health system. Through International Medical Corps’ long history of strengthening health systems in challenging environments, in addition to its established relationships with international emergency medicine experts and partnering organizations, International Medical Corps has developed an Emergency Medical Care Development (EMCD) program that utilizes a tested package of interventions aimed at building and strengthening emergency trauma and medical care in low- and middle-income settings. Spanning the bystander, pre-hospital, and hospital settings, the EMCD program aims to improve a country’s or region’s emergency medical care, and elevate it to international standards via a tested combination of technical assistance, training, and capacity building.

International Medical Corps' Mission: From Relief to Self-Reliance

International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs. Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in underserved communities worldwide. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at highest risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.

International Medical Corps currently operates in 30 countries worldwide

International Medical Corps in the Middle East

International Medical Corps began operations in the Middle East in 2003, as one of the first international NGOs to enter Iraq following the start of war. Since then, International Medical Corps has expanded its presence in the region, implementing programs in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Gaza that range from humanitarian relief, to community development and government capacity building.

Within the region, International Medical Corps has maintained its role as a leader in the provision of health, mental health, and protection services for underserved communities and populations affected by conflict and instability. International Medical Corps’ approach to the integration of mental health into the primary health care system has increased accessibility to quality, low-cost services for vulnerable populations, including refugees. International Medical Corps has also implemented emergency medicine development, continuing medical education, women and youth empowerment, early childhood development, and health systems strengthening programs with demonstrated success and long-lasting results. www.internationalmedicalcorps.org