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International Medical Corps Responds to Devastating Earthquake in Afghanistan and Pakistan

by Rebecca Gustafson | International Medical Corps - USA
Tuesday, 27 October 2015 17:04 GMT

* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

LOS ANGELES/LONDON – International Medical Corps is rapidly scaling up response efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan to help survivors of the devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck on October 26 in northern Afghanistan.

“Many of the affected areas are high up in the Hindu Kush, and winter is already setting in.  Many survivors will have to cope with not only damaged and destroyed homes but also frigid temperatures,” said Rabih Torbay, Senior Vice President of International Operations at International Medical Corps.  “Though the full extent of the damage is not yet known, it is critical that emergency assistance reach families as soon as possible.  In support of efforts led by the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan, our teams are already working to help get relief supplies and medical care to survivors.”

In the aftermath of the quake, International Medical Corps is deploying mobile medical units and psychosocial first aid teams and distributing much-needed relief supplies in some of the hardest hit areas, including in Badakhshan and Takhar Provinces in Afghanistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in Pakistan.  Our emergency response teams in Afghanistan and Pakistan are also working to identify additional support that might be needed, particularly clean water, temporary shelter, protection for the most vulnerable, and livelihoods.

International Medical Corps’ earthquake response efforts in Afghanistan build upon the humanitarian assistance it has provided to vulnerable populations for 30 years, which include primary and secondary health care for internally displaced, refugees returning from Pakistan, women, and children, as well as training for local health care providers.  International Medical Corps has worked in Pakistan since 1985, and the organization’s earthquake relief efforts will build upon the humanitarian relief program it was managing prior to this earthquake, including providing primary health care services to internally displaced Pakistanis and Afghan refugees in four refugee camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

Since its inception 30 years ago, International Medical Corps' mission has been consistent: relieve the suffering of those impacted by war, natural disaster and disease, by delivering vital health care services that focus on training. This approach of helping people help themselves is critical to returning devastated populations to self-reliance. For more information visit:  www.InternationalMedicalCorps.org. Also see us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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