Because disaster can strike anywhere, anytime, the ability to respond even in the remotest areas of the world is essential for effective emergency response. And with the acute phase of disaster response measured in just hours—that brief window of opportunity when most lives can be saved and life-threatening disease contained—deployment speed is critical.
With a robust emergency response capacity, experienced global staff members, a roster of volunteer healthcare specialists on call, supplies pre-positioned internationally, global partnerships and EMT Type 1 (Fixed and Mobile) classification from the World Health Organization, International Medical Corps has a well-earned reputation as a fast, reliable first responder. We also focus extensively on training and capacity strengthening, preparing communities on how best to respond to adversity when disaster strikes—creating a response that is immediate and that ultimately fosters self-reliance.
International Medical Corps staff members are on the frontlines of the world’s most urgent crises, helping civilians caught up in conflict around the world, in such places as Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gaza, Jamaica, Myanmar, Sudan and Ukraine. We deliver medical relief and other support in some 30 countries globally that are struggling with hunger, famine and infectious disease, including outbreaks of Ebola and Marburg. Too often, decades of violence make these places dangerous for residents to live—and for International Medical Corps to operate. Yet our committed and courageous staff continue helping millions of people each year.
Since 1984, 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.
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 readiness, we also train our international and national staff, actively working to increase their technical understanding. In addition to providing clinical and medical training, we also ensure that our teams are trained across such disciplines as logistics, procurement and fleet management, enabling them to respond to any emergency quickly, effectively and safely.
An EMT Type 1 is a self-sufficient outpatient health facility with the trained staff, supplies and systems needed to function in the aftermath of a sudden-onset disaster and can be set up and ready to receive patients within 48 hours of an assignment. Our classification by the WHO as an EMT Type 1, Fixed and Mobile, demonstrates to countries and communities in need that International Medical Corps can meet and exceed the rigorous standards for emergency response set by the global standards and community of practice.