After more than two years of occupation, and following a nine-month-long battle between the so-called Islamic State and Iraqi-led forces, the vibrant city of Mosul—Iraq’s second-largest city and capital of Nineveh Province—was liberated from the Islamic State in July 2017. Six months later, the Iraqi government declared victory over the terrorist organization, known worldwide for …
If becoming self-reliant is a goal in life, we could all learn a little something from Abdelmanane. In the face of adverse conditions in Chad—including an ongoing measles epidemic and alarmingly high rates of malnutrition— Abdelmanane is preventing disease and building resilience in his community. He even set up his own business, enabling him to …
Sometimes, what you don’t know can kill you—like not knowing about proper nutrition and handwashing, safe sex practices and maternal health support. Other times, what you don’t know can severely disempower you—like not knowing where to turn for help after you have been raped. When it comes to gender-based violence (GBV), women and girls are …
Note: The names of the people in this story have been changed for their protection. Razan, a 26-year-old married woman and a mother of three, was experiencing symptoms of depression such as emotional distress and isolation. She would often find herself crying for no reason, was having trouble sleeping and had been isolating herself from …
A group of mothers in northern Mali have developed an invaluable skill: the power and knowledge to screen and detect early signs of malnutrition. Utilizing their unique standing in the community and armed with a color-coded paper band, they are determined to win the fight against malnutrition. Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is a fast and …
The unfortunate myth that breast milk alone is not enough for a child’s nutritional needs is strongly embedded within Somalian society. As a result, in a nation where many mothers and children don’t have access to the healthcare and education needed to ensure a healthy pregnancy and infanthood, mothers often supplement breast milk with infant …
“We all have something inside us that will never be the same again,” says May Majid of living through the Iraq War. This theme would weave its way through our conversation: remnants of things broken and lost, and the exhausting effort of constantly trying to piece it all back together, inside and out. “Almost every …
As part of International Medical Corps’ commitment to combatting gender based-violence (GBV) in South Sudan, we are working on a number of different programs that empower women within the community. Among other things, we offer training in business management and leadership skills that aim to prevent GBV risks while empowering them within their households and their …
The military-political crisis that broke out in 2012 has severely crippled the healthcare system in the Central African Republic (CAR). This is especially true when it comes to mental health services. Stigmatization and misunderstandings about the causes of mental health issues and the effectiveness of treatment at the community level also impede necessary care. According …
The global health community is better prepared to face the largest outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease since the 2014-2016 West African epidemic claimed more than 11,000 lives, but funding from major donor countries is needed quickly to contain the current outbreak early. We talk with Dr. Adam Levine, the technical lead of International Medical Corps’ …