9 September 2014: Plan International and International Medical Corps, a leader in global health and emergency response, have joined forces to respond to Ebola, the deadly virus spreading rapidly across Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone and moving into other parts of West Africa.
This new partnership is a unique initiative in the fight against Ebola with the two humanitarian organisations coming together to provide a comprehensive package of services. Their combined efforts are aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola and reducing the number of deaths.
Each organisation brings complementary strengths and skills to the partnership. International Medical Corps’ mission is to improve quality of life through health interventions that strengthen local capacity in underserved communities worldwide, whilst Plan has been working with children for over 77 years bringing expertise in child protection, water, hygiene and sanitation and community involvement.
Working together for better impact
Working jointly, Plan and International Medical Corps have developed a nine-point response plan to address immediate short-term needs and long-term requirements. The response plan covers prevention, case management, psychological first aid, child protection and other life-saving measures. The nine areas have been identified based on the needs and priorities that have emerged in the current outbreak.
To support the global efforts around strengthening health workforce capacity and preparedness, the two organisations are also in discussions to provide training for regional health professionals and first responders in preparedness, response and infection control at training centres in West Africa.
This response plan is being implemented in a phased approach, with International Medical Corps initially focusing on case management and treatment of Ebola cases while Plan focuses on community mobilisation and public health awareness. As these programmes are established, joint activities will be tailored to address the emerging needs.
Unique collaboration
International Medical Corps and Plan will work very closely with local Ministries of Health, community organisations,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and other relevant humanitarian and health agencies. Much needed support, in the form of technical specialists and human resources,is also expected to be mobilised through this unique collaboration.
Speaking about the new partnership, Tessie San Martin, CEO of Plan International USA said: "Responding effectively to the Ebola crisis requires immediate and cooperative action. Collaboration between Plan and International Medical Corps is a key step forward in combating this devastating disease. Our individual strengths and capacities make for a natural and sustainable partnership."
“We are pleased to be combining our expertise and resources with Plan International to tackle this unprecedented emergency,” said Nancy A. Aossey, President & CEO of International Medical Corps. “We must work together to contain and combat this deadly disease, and this strategic and timely partnership is critically important.”
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Plan International
Jane Labous, Press Officer, Africa
Jane.Labous@plan-international.org
+44 (0)1483 733 330 /+44 (0)7540 048 494
International Medical Corps
Lisa Ellis, Director of Global Communications
lellis@InternationalMedicalCorps.org
+1 310 826 7800