IMA World Health Affirms Healthcare Commitment to DR Congo Despite Renewed Violence
IMA World Health (IMA) is helping to address the healthcare crisis caused by recent violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of its ongoing commitment to help the developing nation.
New Windsor, MD—IMA World Health (IMA) is helping to address the healthcare crisis caused by recent violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of its ongoing commitment to help the developing nation.
Recently IMA helped to supply one of our partners in the DRC city of Goma with urgently needed orthopedic and surgical supplies to treat those injured in the fighting.
There are reports of upwards of 300,000 displaced persons in DRC. Due to a lack of medical supplies and medicines, hospitals and clinics remain ill-equipped to handle the added strain, and have appealed for further help to meet the demands of those affected by the violence.
Some aid and relief organizations have been forced to suspend operations in the DRC due to the fighting. However, IMA has affirmed and bolstered its dedication to the DRC. “People in the DRC need our help now more than ever,” said Paul Derstine, President, IMA. “Our commitment to the suffering Congolese has never been stronger.”
While there are security concerns and communication problems, IMA has been able to maintain contact with all our partner institutions. “Our long-term presence in and partnerships throughout the DRC have helped make it possible for us to maintain operations there,” said William Clemmer, M.D., IMA’s Country Representative in the DRC. “IMA’s work is carried out in close collaboration with Congolese nationals, providing IMA with a unique and deeply entrenched societal presence in the country.”
Much of IMA’s work in the DRC is carried out in partnership with Eglise du Christ au Congo (ECC) (Church of Christ in Congo) through the SANRU framework, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, the World Bank, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and others.
For more than eight years, IMA and ECC have worked together in the DRC, helping to bring basic health services to millions of people. “This progress would not have been possible without the support of our partners and friends,” Derstine noted. “Yet there remains so much need and so much to do in the DRC.”
To learn more about our programs in the DRC and to find out how you can help, visit www.IMAWorldHealth.org.
IMA World Health is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps provide essential healthcare services and medical supplies to people in need around the world. IMA operates primarily in developing nations to restore health, hope and dignity to those most in need. For more information, visit us at www.IMAWorldHealth.org or call 877-241-7952.