In Morocco, the International Medical Corps completed the first distribution yesterday to those affected by the devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake that happened last Friday. Among other measures, working through local partners we have distributed 350 hot meals, 2,550 ready-to-eat food items, 2,550 hygiene items, and 205 blankets. The International Medical Corps also deployed an Emergency Response Team to coordinate response efforts in the country with local authorities and other humanitarian organizations. Nearly 3,000 people have died, with thousands more injured or missing. Local authorities estimate that the death toll could surpass 10,000. The damage and fear of aftershocks have left many people in remote villages living in temporary shelters and with limited access to health services. In the coming days, the International Medical Corps will support local organizations that can provide mobile health services—including mental health and psychosocial support services—in remote and hard-to-reach areas, as well as distributing critically needed hygiene and non-food items.

In Libya, which is reeling from widespread flooding caused by Storm Daniel, the International Medical Corps’ rapid-response team arrived in the heavily impacted coastal city of Derna yesterday and immediately conducted assessments of the affected areas. We are meeting with local authorities and partners, delivering essential medicines and medical supplies to overstressed health facilities, and preparing to deploy an Emergency Medical Team to address skyrocketing health needs. As many as 20,000 people are feared dead in Derna alone after two dams collapsed—sweeping nearly 25% percent of the city into the Mediterranean Sea—while at least 30,000 people have been displaced. As search-and-rescue efforts are still underway, these numbers are unfortunately expected to rise.

More information, updates, and ways to get involved and help are available on our website https://internationalmedicalcorps.hr/.