“I considered myself different from many other Afghan refugees here. I thought I was more broad-minded.” A member of International Medical Corps’ gender support group in Afghan refugee village Koga in Pakistan, Mr. Mir Afzal says he has learned a lot from awareness sessions on gender-based violence provided by the organization in the village. “We …
When the ground violently shook during the 7.5-magnitude earthquake in the remote Charmango Qala village in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, Mr. Fazal–Ur-Rehman knew immediately what to do. During the shaking, he ran out from his home to avoid being hit by falling debris. He watched as many of the houses around him crumbled, trapping his neighbors …
Libya has become one of the main crossing points for migrants and refugees traveling from countries across Africa and the Middle East, in search of a better life in Europe. Essra Saad, a 22-year-old mother from Pakistan, is one of these refugees. She told International Medical Corps staff that she came to Libya in search …
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 …
A powerful earthquake struck Badakshan Province in Afghanistan today and also affected a large area of Pakistan. According to the US Geological Survey, the magnitude 7.5 quake struck at 1:39 pm local time and was 121 miles (196 km) deep. Initial media reports indicate at least 177 people have been killed in Pakistan, with the …
International Medical Corps is implementing a project in three refugee villages of North West Pakistan to prevent an aggressive skin disease that causes large, extremely painful open skin ulcers so unsightly that those afflicted are often shunned by their communities. Refugees are especially susceptible to the disease, which is transmitted by the bite of parasite-infected …
Since the Pakistan army began an offensive against the Taliban in North Waziristan, more than 830,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been forced to other parts of Pakistan (largely the Bannu District) and an estimated 112,000 people have fled to Afghanistan. A tribal, lawless and mountainous region in northwest Pakistan, North Waziristan has long served …
Following a recent measles outbreak in Pakistan, International Medical Corps supported government efforts throughout the largest-ever vaccination drive in the history of Pakistan. In May 2014, we vaccinated 29,152 Afghan refugee children under 10 against measles in 3 volatile districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Province. Our teams (at fixed facilities and in outreach) are also …
My name is Ara* and I am an International Medical Corps Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Counselor working with Afghan refugees in Pakistan. We are working in a very conservative community. It is indeed a challenging job, particularly for us females. But we are very successful in gaining the trust of the people. I always enjoy my …
Heavy floods in Sindh province of Pakistan during summer 2011 left an area almost the size of New Jersey under water. Coming less than a year after even more devastating floods in 2010, more than 5 million people were affected, many of them children. The health consequences of this crisis were severe, as stagnant water …