Our Work

Emergency Response & Preparedness

First There, No Matter Where

Because disaster can strike anywhere, anytime, the ability to respond in even the most remote areas of the world is essential for effective emergency response. And with the acute phase of disaster response—that brief window of opportunity when most lives can be saved and life-threatening disease contained— measured in just hours, deployment speed is critical.

With a roster of volunteer healthcare specialists on call, an experienced global staff and supplies pre-positioned internationally, International Medical Corps has a well-earned reputation as a fast, reliable first responder. We also focus extensively on training, preparing communities on how best to respond to adversity when disaster strikes, creating a response capability that is immediate and that fosters self-reliance.

35+ years in 80+ countries
Emergency Response and Preparedness
72 hours
The acute phase of disaster response
22 hours
Our response to Haiti 2010 earthquake

Areas of Focus

Overview

International Medical Corps staff is on the front lines of the world’s most urgent crises. Our teams are at work in and around Syria, where a seemingly endless civil war has displaced millions of Syrians who have sought refuge in neighboring countries and beyond. Our teams are delivering medical relief and other support in African nations struggling with hunger, famine and disease—including several deadly outbreaks of Ebola. All too often, decades of war make these places dangerous for residents to live—and for International Medical Corps to operate.

Key Stats

Nearly 1 million surgeries performed on those injured in Syrian conflict
More than half of Somalia’s 12.3 million people need either protection or humanitarian assistance
In Northeastern Nigeria’s Borno State, nearly a quarter of a million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition

Overview

For more than three decades, as soon as disaster strikes—no matter how distant or how dangerous the conditions—International Medical Corps has responded to help those in urgent need.

Our teams have saved millions of lives by delivering healthcare and other vital relief, while providing training to those affected, enabling them to acquire the skills they need to be their own best first responders.

Key Stats

We have provided more than $3.2 billion in lifesaving healthcare
Our work has saved millions of lives
We've operated in more than 80 countries, on six continents

Overview

We pass essential skills into local hands, preparing those in disaster-prone areas to better withstand adversity. Embedding these skills into the community lies at the heart of what we do: build self-reliance.

In keeping with our commitment to preparedness, we also train our international and national staff, working to increase their technical understanding across such disciplines as logistics, procurement and fleet management, and enabling them to respond to any emergency quickly, effectively and safely.

Key Stats