Marking Three Months of War in Ukraine
May 24 marked three months since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. From the start of the crisis, our team has helped authorities provide lifesaving care by delivering critical supplies and services to communities affected by the war.
We continue to provide medical consultations; equipment and supplies; mental health services and training; water, sanitation and hygiene supplies and services; and shelter and survival items, in Ukraine and in neighboring countries.
In Poland, the country that has taken in the largest number of Ukrainian refugees, our mental health and psychosocial support team is conducting psychological first-aid training for volunteers, teachers, social workers and psychologists.
Responding to the Hunger Crisis in East Africa
In East Africa — which is already struggling with the effects of years of drought and conflict — the war in Ukraine is having dire consequences. Somalia, Ethiopia and other East African countries usually depend on Ukraine and Russia as sources of grains, cooking oils, and fertilizer, and surging food, water and fuel prices in the region are making it even more difficult for people to meet their basic nutritional needs. We’re there to help.
Years of drought and conflict have left people in East Africa facing a hunger crisis. Now, surging food, water and fuel prices in Somalia, Ethiopia and other East African countries are making it even more difficult for people to get the food they need.
We’re there to help. pic.twitter.com/8ARt4jfbMt
— International Medical Corps (@IMC_Worldwide) June 3, 2022
Monitoring Disease Outbreaks in the DRC and Cameroon
We continue to monitor the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where an Ebola outbreak was declared on April 22. While local staff trained by International Medical Corps during past responses are managing the current outbreak response, our team in Mbandaka is prepared to provide additional support to contain the outbreak if needed.
Meanwhile, Cameroon is struggling to contain a cholera outbreak. Since March 2022, the outbreak has affected six regions, compared with two regions in 2021. We have more than a decade of experience in preventing and treating cholera, and with cases on the rise in Cameroon, we are on the ground closely monitoring the situation and working with local communities.
🇨🇲 We have over a decade’s experience in cholera intervention and with cases on the rise in #Cameroon, we are on the ground closely monitoring the situation, working closely with local communities. Learn more and find out how you can help ➡️ https://t.co/Yp1R857qSG pic.twitter.com/dKorfU9zEx
— International Medical Corps (@IMC_Worldwide) May 27, 2022
Continuing Our Fight Against COVID-19 Around the World
With COVID-19 on the rise again in many parts of the world, we continue to support prevention and vaccination efforts globally.
In Gaza, we’re responding to COVID-19 with USAID’s support.
We value the safety & well-being of healthcare workers. In April, @USAID supported @IMC_Worldwide to provide safety & self-care training to 37 Gaza front-line healthcare workers to ensure they’re well equipped to care for others, especially during the fight against #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/DcYwqLwPCz
— USAID Middle East (@USAIDMiddleEast) May 12, 2022
In Lebanon, our health volunteers are holding awareness sessions about COVID-19, distributing hygiene kits and holding handwashing and hygiene activities.
Responding in Tigray and Somalia
More than 3.9 million people in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and more than 10 million people in the Amhara region have been affected by the war and are in desperate need of health services and assistance. Despite the continuing challenges, we are offering health services and support to those in need of help. Recently, there have been increased humanitarian flights to Tigray, which has enabled us to deliver medicines and medical supplies to the most vulnerable communities affected by the ongoing conflict.
Many Somali families are affected by the persistent drought in their country. As a result, waterborne and other diseases have increased. Thanks to our dedicated staff, we’re able to treat people in need at our stabilization center.
Fighting Period Poverty
Not every woman and girl has access to clean water and safe sanitation facilities during their periods. This can affect them in many ways, including an increase in safety risks and missing school during menstruation. At least 1.25 billion women and girls across the globe do not have access to a safe, private toilet.
Not every woman and girl has access to clean water and safe sanitation facilities during their periods. Find out how we’re changing this through our water, sanitation and hygiene program 🔽 #EndPeriodPoverty #MHDay2022 https://t.co/pwy2NMoXKq
— International Medical Corps (@IMC_Worldwide) May 28, 2022
On Menstrual Hygiene Day, May 28, we celebrated the ongoing efforts of our water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) teams to fight period poverty and help girls and women have a dignified period.
Supporting Refugees and Internally Displaced People in Jordan and Around the World
In May, for the first time on record, the number of people forced to flee conflict, violence and more crossed the staggering milestone of 100 million. From Ukraine to Jordan, we continue our work supporting refugees and internally displaced people.
At the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, our team is offering psychosocial support, child protection services, and training and education activities.
