Welcome to IMHO USA

Sri Lanka (Tsunami)

One of IMHO's major undertakings has been the response that occurred following the tsunami disaster of 26 December 2004. Within 2 days, IMHO volunteers had rallied enough support to send $50,000 to purchase emergency supplies, such as tents, food, etc. Other major accomplishments included sending 5 million water purification tablets from a manufacturer in India, purchasing 6 vehicles for patient & staff transport (ie: ambulatory care), coordinating over 250 volunteer doctors, nurses, and other concerned professionals, helping to provide psychiatric counseling to those who needed it, publishing a book on PTSD in local language, building toilets at a tsunami reconstruction village in Kallady, facilitating the transport of a few water transport machines and a shipment of medicines from Direct Relief International, and more.

Having firsthand experience with the consequences of the tsunami of 26 December 2004, IMHO volunteers and team members easily understand the physical and emotional toll that natural disasters have on the health and well-being of communities across the globe. For this reason, IMHO has since provided funding support to organizations involved in relief efforts for a variety of other international natural disasters, such as those outlined in the other tabs on this page.

USA

Following the devastating impact Hurricane Katrina had on the state of Louisiana, the IMHO team and our supporters decided to support local efforts to benefit those in need here in the United States. A total of $5,300 was raised by the IMHO state coordinator in Texas and given to the American Red Cross for disaster relief efforts there. This set a precedent for future efforts in which IMHO responded (and continues to respond) to other major humanitarian crises.

Burma

Responding to another natural disaster, IMHO supported relief efforts in Burma (Myanmar) in May 2008 after Cyclone Nargis devastated the Southeast Asian nation. Believed to be responsible for the deaths of as many as 200,000+ persons, Cyclone Nargis created one of the worst humanitarian situations in recent times. Again, IMHO saw the incredible need for immediate relief aid and generously gave $16,517 to Operation USA to help with the overall relief effort, including getting survivors access to medicines and healthcare.

Bangladesh

In November 2007, IMHO responded to a powerful cyclone that pounded the nation of Bangladesh. Cyclone Sidr was a category 5 cyclone when it made landfall in the impoverished South Asian nation. A gift of $5,000 was given to the US wing of a local NGO in Bangladesh called BRAC, which works with people whose lives are dominated by extreme poverty, illiteracy, disease and other handicaps. With multifaceted development interventions, BRAC strives to bring about positive changes in the quality of life of the poor people of Bangladesh.

Pakistan

IMHO donated $5,000 to the Koohi Goth Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan through the National Health Forum. This hospital serves a population of about one million persons, most of whom are living in poverty. The funds were given to support OBGYN care and fistula repair for women.

In July 2010, IMHO responded to the massive humanitarian needs in Pakistan following severe flooding across the country, which left over 2 million people displaced. Support was given to BRAC USA in the amount of $3,000 to aid in the provision of emergency relief to IDPs. Then again in November 2010, IMHO helped raise $2,500 directly for SUN Charity USA to assist them in providing winterized tents & pre-fabricated housing to protect stranded flood victims from extreme weather.

Dem. Republic of Congo

As the political and humanitarian situation quickly deteriorated in 2008 in the already battered African nation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the total number and the overall needs of refugees in that country continues to multiply. The DRC is still coming to grips with the massive needs of the refugees and those caught in the conflict zones and has turned to the international community to help address the innumerable needs of those most at risk. IMHO thus gave $5,000 to Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), a reputable worldwide NGO that brings health and medical care to those in the most remote, neglected, and conflict-prone areas. These funds were used to help assist with the medical relief work being done on behalf of refugees across DRC.

Philippines/Indonesia

Battered by a series of natural disasters in the latter part of 2009, massive humanitarian needs arose in many countries in South and Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Indonesia. IMHO gave $5,000 to Giving Children Hope, a California-based relief NGO, to help send medicines and supplies to affected communities in these two countries.

Additionally, IMHO gave $5,000 to Relief International, another US-based NGO, to support their efforts to provide life-saving assistance to survivors of the West Sumatra earthquake in fall 2009.

Photo Gallery: Philippines/Indonesia Relief

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Haiti

The already impoverished Caribbean nation of Haiti (officially the poorest country in the western hemisphere) was devastated on January 12, 2010 when a massive 7.0 earthquake struck near the capital of Port-au-Prince, causing buildings to collapse and crumble upon thousands of people. In response to this dire humanitarian disaster, IMHO gave $5,000 to Partners in Health, the renowned organization started by Dr. Paul Farmer, which has a particular focus and expertise on Haiti. In March 2010, IMHO Secretary and transplant surgeon, Dr. Thavam Thambipillai, joined with a volunteer relief team in Petit-Goave, Haiti to serve those in need at the Dr. Henri Gerard Desgranges medical clinic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09dKZffg5wk). Later in the year IMHO gave $1,000 to pay for the transport of an ambulance donated to the clinic from New York to Haiti.

Photo Gallery: Haiti Relief

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Ethiopia

Marking IMHO's first directly implemented effort in any country outside of Sri Lanka, a team of 6 volunteers traveled to Ethiopia for 2 weeks to conduct a full needs assessment of several hospitals and schools, conduct medical lectures & trainings, deliver a number of medical supplies & equipments, and otherwise offer volunteer services as needed. Prior to arrival, a shipment valued at approximately $10,500 was sent to the local partner and contained such items as 90 glucometers, basic medicines, hygiene supplies, and sports equipment. A partnership was forged with the Amhara Development Association (ADA), the local NGO with which IMHO partnered for this first venture into Africa. Our team visited the areas of Bahir Dar, Gonder, Debark, and Sheno, and is currently working on a plan for how best to engage the country in future efforts.

Photo Gallery: IMHO Ethiopia Medical Volunteer Trip 2010

Click thumbnail to view images of IMHO's 1st Medical Missions Trip to Ethiopia.

Please view photos from our volunteer medical missions trip to Ethiopia in October 2010 here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2627940&id=3309175&l=596ba96282

Sri Lanka (2011 Floods)

As heavy monsoon rains overwhelmed Eastern Sri Lanka in January 2011, yet another humanitarian crisis has taken hold of the island. Almost a million people have been affected and an estimated 400,000+ persons have been displaced and are now taking shelter in hundreds of temporary camps that have sprung up. Dozens have been killed and great damage has been done to homes, buildings, roads, and much more throughout the area. The Batticaloa and Ampara Districts are the most badly affected, with no end in sight for the rainfall. The water levels in Kalmunai alone are at more than 4 feet after days of continuous rain and rising seawater levels. In the Wellaweli area in Batticaloa District, waters have reached more than 6 feet, leading to regular rescue operations for those left stranded. Based off past flood experiences, local doctors and health official have raised concerns about the potential for diarrhea and other infections to cause widespread problems.

IMHO (USA) sent $4,000 to the Kalmunai Mental Health Society (KAMHA) to help provide emergency relief to the flood victims and is planning to do more. These funds have helped provide milk products for children, dry rations, and hygienic products for women. IMHO Canada is currently making plans and collecting donations to assist in the relief effort, as well. Appeals have been made to IMHO by KAMHA, RDHS Batticaloa, and Ramakrishna Mission, all of which are at the forefront of the relief effort.

Photo Gallery: 2011 Sri Lanka Flood Relief

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Photo Gallery: CACM Flood Relief Efforts

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Egypt

In response to the dire situation in which many struggling families in garbarge villages in Egypt find themselves, IMHO provided support to a group known as "A Remnant Remains" through a contribution of $5,000 towards their Scalable Solar Electricity Project aimed at providing electricity through solar panels to village homes in Egypt. This goal is to provide solar electricity to every home in the village through a solar node system with shared electricity among homes.

Photo Gallery: Egypt Solar Panels

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Somalia

Facing yet another crisis after decades of conflict and the lack of a functioning central government, the people of Somalia faced a horrific famine in 2011, which displaced hundreds of thousands and left millions vulnerable. IMHO responded by giving $5,000 to MSF to provide emergency relief and medical care to victims of this disaster.

India

Cyclone Thane, which slammed Southern India on December 30, 2011, came packed with wind speeds of approx. 135 kmph. It claimed 33 lives and left around 200,000 people homeless in the regions of Tamil Nadu and Pondichery. Under its influence heavy rains pounded these areas, throwing normal life out of gear. Thousands of acres of standing crops were submerged across the state. The poor slum dwellers in the city, as well as the poor laboring class, marginal farmers in rural areas, fishermen communities in the coastal areas, and more were affected, having lost crops/food, clothing, and shelter. Responding to the crisis, IMHO got behind the emergency relief efforts of SAWED Trust, giving $5,000 to their efforts to serve survivors and help restore normalcy to their lives.