Promoting Self-Reliance

International Medical Corps (IMC), established in the United States in 1984, saves lives and relieves the suffering of those affected by war, disease, and natural disaster. IMC differs from other groups, though, because it works to ensure that crisis-stricken communities are able to care for themselves long after programming has ended. How? By making education and training an integral part of its work in primary health care, HIV/AIDS and infectious disease, nutrition and agriculture, water and sanitation, and livelihoods and microcredit/microfinance.

During the past two decades, IMC has responded to crises in more than 40 countries, states, regions, and territories on four continents. Its holistic approach to relief and development means that IMC works with a variety of local, regional, and national partners to assess needs, develop appropriate programming, and deliver assistance aimed at helping the victims of disaster weather the immediate crisis, get back on their feet, and plan for the future.

These partnerships ensure that IMC’s resources are used to meet an affected community’s most critical needs as efficiently and effectively as possible, whether for nutritious food and clean water during a famine, or for war surgery in a conflict. They also mean that IMC is able to pass on the knowledge and skills that stricken communities need to become self-reliant.