Pakistan: IMC immunizes 500 children in Pakistan

Photo: IMC/ Pakistan

Photo: IMC/ Pakistan

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International Medical Corps (IMC) has immunized 500 children against measles in Jaraid, a remote village that was hard hit by the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. Located in Kaghan Valley, Jaraid's basic health unit was destroyed during the earthquake and its 12,500 residents were cut off from health care. IMC launched this immunization campaign after medical teams discovered some cases of measles. In June 2005, IMC established a base camp in the region and has dispatched medical staff to Jaraid and other outlying areas in need of medical assistance.

Last week a rainstorm struck the heavily-populated Ghari Habibullah camp in Kaghan Valley, causing flooding and fatalities. IMC medical teams had been assisting patients each week at the camp's basic health unit. IMC is now working with the government to help relocate people and a basic health unit to the nearby Jabba camp where people from the Ghari Habibullah camp are expected to move. In addition to the basic health unit in Jaraid, IMC is assisting nearly 2,000 patients each week in Kotgali, Hangrai, Ghanool and Jabri Keleesh.

IMC is offering individual and group therapy to women and children traumatized by the earthquake and relocation process. One example is Sakina, who lost her husband and son in the earthquake, leaving her without any means of raising her other son. She has benefited from the therapy and IMC's program which has provided her with a sewing machine to help her earn an income and reestablish her life.

IMC has also helped more than 1,000 children make the adjustment by giving them books, colored pencils and notebooks, puzzles, and sports equipment.

In October 2005, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake devastated Pakistan, killing nearly 80,000 people and displacing millions. IMC has worked in Pakistan for more than 20 years, and since the earthquake has been providing much-needed health services to people in hard-hit Kaghan Valley.