Fighting COVID-19 Around the World

COVID-19 cases continue to rise globally and our teams worldwide are still hard at work in the fight against the virus.

Responding in the United States

As case numbers continue to rise throughout the US, we’re coordinating with partners in a number of hotspots, including California, Florida and Texas.
In California, we have deployed emergency medical field units, personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies to support Adventist Health Bakersfield and Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley.

Adventist Health, Bakersfield field medical unit build.

Adventist Health, Tehachapi field medical unit build.

The team also is working with other hospitals in the region, and with long-term care facilities to provide healthcare workers and residents with PPE, as well as training on the epidemiology of COVID-19, infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures, and the proper usage and management of PPE.

Volunteers participate in a COVID-19 demonstration at the Eastland Subacute and Rehabilitation Center in El Monte, California.

Monica Washington ties a gown for Celia Lagay during a demonstration of how to properly do personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent against COVID-19 at the Eastland Subacute and Rehabilitation Center in El Monte, California.

Dr. Solomon Kuah, International Medical Corps’ LA COVID-19 response team leader, demonstrates proper COVID-19 safety procedures at Eastland Subacute and Rehabilitation Center in El Monte, California.

Highlights of Our Global Response

In Afghanistan, we continue to stress the importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of COVID-19. In early July, the team launched a new hygiene promotion program in Balkh and Faryab provinces, educating people about COVID-19.

In the Nangahar Province, handwashing demonstrations are offered by International Medical Corps.

International Medical Corps’ COVID-19 awareness sessions in Nangahar Province.

In the Bahamas, we’ve responded to COVID-19 by promoting proper water, sanitation and hygiene practices. On Grand Bahama, we have provided five health facilities with handwashing stations and distributed 14,436 PPE items. To date, we’ve reached more than 15,000 people with awareness messaging.

In South Sudan, we inaugurated the Dr. John Garang Infectious Disease Unit in Juba, which is now the sole COVID-19 support care facility to treat COVID-19 patients in the country. The new facility will serve approximately 200 patients per month, with 130 clinical and non-clinical staff providing care around the clock, seven days a week.

Ministry of Health Undersecretary Mayen Achiek delivering his remarks at the Juba Infection Disease Unit ribbon cutting ceremony.

Frontline workers at Juba IDU expressing their gratitude to USAID, the World Health Organization, Ministry of Health and International Medical Corps.

The the Dr John Garang Infectious Disease Unit (IDU) in Juba was formally inaugurated on July 10, 2020, as a COVID-19 supportive-care facility.

In Nigeria, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise rapidly in Kano and Borno states, our volunteers have reached more than 87,000 people with COVID-19 awareness messaging and continue to guide community leaders on infection prevention techniques.

John Yerima, Food Security and Livelihoods Manager, support a registration activity at Mohammed Goni Stadium IDP Camp in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Handwashing demonstrations were conducted by International Medical Corps to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Celebrating Moms and Babies Worldwide on #BumpDay

On #BumpDay, July 22, moms and moms-to-be highlighted the effects of disparities in maternal healthcare in the US and around the world, and advocated for equal access to maternal healthcare. Our partners and participants joined together in posting pictures of their beautiful baby bumps and sharing the message that every mom deserves a healthy pregnancy, a safe birth and a healthy, happy baby.

🤰💜 Take a look back at just a few of the beautiful baby-bump pictures posted to raise awareness about the needs of moms and babies worldwide this past week on #BumpDay. pic.twitter.com/jFWYprrDX8

— International Medical Corps (@IMC_Worldwide) July 28, 2020

Working Together to Stop Ebola in the DRC

In response to the latest outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), our emergency response team has set up a 20-bed Ebola Treatment Center that serves Wangata and Mbandaka, two of the five health zones affected by the outbreak in the west of the country.

🇨🇩 For more than 20 years, we’ve provided lifesaving care to those in need in the #DRC. And today, we continue doing all we can to stop the spread of #Ebola in western DRC.

Watch below and learn more ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/OCuwuNB2qf

— International Medical Corps (@IMC_Worldwide) August 10, 2020

Providing Support in Japan

Torrential rain and landslides in Japan have damaged thousands of homes and claimed the lives of 77 people. In response, we’re working with local partners to provide critical hygiene supplies in Kumamoto, the hardest-hit area.

Urgent Update: Beirut Explosion in Lebanon

On Tuesday, August 4, a massive explosion tore through Beirut. Because we were already in the country providing a range of services, we responded quickly, coordinating efforts with the government and other responders to provide help to hospitals and health facilities throughout the city. We are also providing urgently needed supplies and staff to area hospitals, and deploying mobile medical units to affected communities. To find out more about how you can help the people there, visit InternationalMedicalCorps.org/beirut.

International Medical Corps deployed a Mobile Mental Health Unit in Borj Hammoud, a severely damaged neighborhood, to provide psychological first aid to those affected.

International Medical Corps deployed a Mobile Medical Unit in Karm El Zaytoun to provide healthcare to those affected.

To help prevent COVID-19, International Medical Corps’ field teams are distributing personal protective equipment and hygiene supplies to the volunteers who are cleaning up areas in Beirut affected by the port explosion.