Every year, an estimated 300,000 women and 3 million newborns die from complications during pregnancy, childbirth or other neonatal causes. More than 90% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, and most could be prevented with the simple, low-cost care of a skilled midwife—a profession that is tragically under-represented across the world. Midwives …
Bringing Critical Drugs to Yemen Yemen is in its eighth year of grinding civil war. The conflict has caused the living conditions of civilians to deteriorate rapidly and has had devastating effects on Yemen’s healthcare system. Many hospitals lack vital medicines and other lifesaving medical supplies—including the National Oncology Center, Yemen’s largest cancer hospital, which …
Though it’s easy to snigger when thinking of toilets, it’s a deadly serious subject. Billions of people worldwide do not have access to safe sanitation, with hundreds of millions forced to defecate in the open. That’s why, since 2013, the world has celebrated World Toilet Day on November 19. This year, International Medical Corps is …
Global Handwashing Day, held each year on October 15, is dedicated to increasing awareness around the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent disease and save lives. It is an opportunity to implement creative ways to encourage people to wash their hands properly. Global Handwashing Day commemorations have been …
From August 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022, International Medical Corps implemented a water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) project in Zimbabwe’s rural Binga district. Communities in rural Zimbabwe struggle to secure access to clean water for domestic use. Many must drink surface water, which often contains contaminants like bacteria and parasites. The Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment …
Menstruation is a normal process for anyone with female reproductive organs. But the stigma associated with it—and the challenges that many women and girls face during this time—is far from normal. “Period poverty” refers to the inability of women and girls to access resources—such as sanitary pads, water, soaps, medicines and sanitation facilities—during their monthly …
Providing Relief to People Affected by the War in Ukraine Our team is expanding its relief efforts inside Ukraine in response to the war there, as well as in neighboring countries, to provide medical, mental health and protection services to the millions of people affected by the conflict. In Poland, our team conducted a series …
Our water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) team in Zimbabwe commemorated World Water Day on March 22 with a celebration in the Sikalenge ward of Binga district. This year’s theme was “Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible.” More than 300 community members attended the celebration, along with representatives from the District Water and Sanitation Subcommittee and several …
Continuing to Fight COVID-19 Around the World Responding in the United States In the US, we are supporting 42 hospitals across the country — including in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Puerto Rico and Texas — with a range of services and equipment, including emergency medical field units, supplies and volunteer staff. We are …
