Dear [[FirstName]],

There are currently 1.75 million internally displaced people in war-torn Uganda, and more than 250,000 refugees who are there after fleeing conflict and famine in surrounding countries. Despite hope that peace talks with the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army will allow many to return to their homes, ongoing conflict in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo threatens to increase the number of new refugees entering Uganda this year.

In response, IMC is running health and nutrition activities in 14 camps for displaced people in Northern Uganda, while programming in four refugee settlements in the southwest aims to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS.

During November IMC ran a photo camp in partnership with the National Geographic Society. Teaching the art of photography to out-of-school refugee youth produced striking images of their lives. Photography became a therapeutic tool for these children and part of IMC’s ongoing psychosocial programming. These powerful photos were then exhibited in Uganda, and in 2007 will be shown at the United Nations in New York, National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., and in the Ugandan capital of Kampala, in observance of World Refugee Day.

This innovative art therapy program reinforced the idea that while there is much to celebrate, there is also much to be done. Whether returning home or facing further displacement, many Ugandans are starting 2007 with as much uncertainty as hope. Your support can make a difference.

Sincerely,

Caroline Hotham
Country Director, IMC Uganda

Read “The other side of the lens”

Saving 10-year-old Abdi
Abdi Haji was near death when he arrived at IMC’s stabilization center in Ethiopia’s East Hararghe Zone. IMC’s nurse and nutrition program coordinator remembers Abdi was “skin and bone.” IMC’s community-based therapeutic care program identifies the early warning signs of malnutrition and provides villagers – many of whom live far from health facilities – with access to therapeutic feeding. Currently, more than 600 children are enrolled in the region’s outpatient therapeutic programs.   Read more

IMC doctors save life of woman attacked by hyena in southern Sudan
When Nyayual Rul needed life-saving surgery, IMC flew her to Kajo Keji, a county 280 miles southwest from her home. Nyayual had barely survived a hyena attack, so vicious that nobody in Walgak can remember anything like this ever happening before.  Read more

Education for Every Child: IMC introduces inclusive education program in Azerbaijan
Less than two years ago, few people in Yavlakh in rural Azerbaijan were aware of the challenges facing children with disabilities and their families. Fearful of social stigma, many parents avoided sending them to school. IMC recognized the need for greater community awareness and designed the Rural Inclusive Education Program (RIEP), which was celebrated on World Disability Day.   Read more

IMC Events

January 18, 2007
IMC partners with Town Hall Los Angeles for emergency preparedness conference

February 1 - 3, 2007
IMC to participate in World Forum with Elie Wiesel and Madeleine Albright