Welcome to IMHO USA

Tsunami (Sri Lanka)

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.

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

Click thumbnail to view images.

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).

Photo Gallery: Haiti Relief

Click thumbnail to view images.