International medical corps

International Medical corps was started in the year 1984 by Dr. Robert Simon, who was working in UCLA medical center as an emergency physician. It is made up of volunteering doctors and medical staff who work towards relieving the sufferings and saving the lives of people. International Medical Corps is a nonprofit global organization and they provide training in healthcare and carry out relief and developmental programs. International Medical Corps have played important roles in most of the major emergencies all over the world in the past 20 years. They operate in 25 countries at present and they have provided aid to more than 50 countries.

International Medical Corps provide relief to the people affected by famine, natural disasters, war, conflict and they also work towards sustainable development at those regions. Their programs are funded by various organizations both private and public. USAID, UN, ECHO, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, AmeriCares etc.

The headquarters of International Medical Corps is based in Los Angeles, USA. They also have their offices in Washington DC, London and Croatia. They employ around 4000 people apart from the thousands of volunteers who provide their services in 25 odd countries across the globe.

Delivering primary health care is the main foundation of the International Medical Corps. Their program priorities include Emergency Response, Health Capacity Building, Women and Children’s Health and Well being, Mental Health, Clean Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

In the recent years, International Medical Corps was the first to respond during the tsunami in South East Asia, also in the year 2005 when Pakistan was hit by an earthquake and Hurricane Katrina in the US. They are also providing relief and humanitarian aid in Darfur and Iraq.

International Medical Corps is a member of global health cluster since 2006 and is also a part of the policy and strategy team of WHO