With more than 40 years of experience responding to disasters with life-saving medical interventions, we are bringing the best of what we have to fight this deadly pandemic. We are determined in our hope that this crisis can be overcome. That lives can be saved and communities healed.
We know that every crisis is different. Every response is unique. That’s why we’re nimble and agile. We pivoted our entire organization to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to support local health systems.
Your support made our response possible. We are stronger together.
Internationally, we work in places where health care systems are weak due to disaster and conflict. As COVID-19 spread, it is more evident than ever that there are far too many vulnerable people and too few resources for their communities to handle this crisis.
With your gifts, you helped diagnose and treat patients with COVID-19 and protect health care workers as they fight this disease. Your gifts also trained community health workers to identify cases in refugee camps and share up-to-date information with vulnerable communities.
Your support ensured the people in crisis — people who were already suffering from a lack of resources — didn’t fall through the cracks during this crisis.
A: We’re providing COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics in Washington and Oregon. So far we’ve helped provide 517 COVID-19 testing clinics, screening over 32,000 people.
Our COVID-19 vaccine clinics focus on bringing the vaccine directly to people who lack access. We’re doing this by partnering with community organizations to deliver the vaccine. Our vaccine clinics are reaching many people, including seasonal farmworkers, seafarers, those experiencing houselessness, rural communities and people of color. We are working with community members to share information about the vaccines and build trust.
Mobile Dental Clinics are providing urgent dental care in the Pacific Northwest. Dental pain, like many other urgent health concerns, doesn’t stop just because there is a pandemic happening. These clinics help keep dental patients out of Emergency Departments.
A: In many areas where we work – such as refugee camps – the spread of COVID-19 is devastating. In crowded refugee camps, disease can spread like wildfire. Many refugees have underlying conditions like malnutrition, malaria or respiratory infections, which make them more susceptible to COVID-19. Our teams are vigilant with COVID-19 precautions while continuing their daily work of saving lives from preventable causes.
Every challenge we face in the United States in the fight against COVID-19 is multiplied for people living in refugee camps. To put into context the density of refugee camps and the potential for a massive outbreak – in the refugee camps in Bangladesh, the population density is four times that of New York City – and standards for hygiene are much lower.
We are ensuring our country staff are equipped with everything they need to combat COVID-19 – including information on symptom identification and prevention measures. We are making sure our doctors, nurses and Community Health Workers have access to the PPE they need to provide medical care and share health messaging around the world.
A: No. As of March 2020, all non-essential volunteer travel for our current programs has either been canceled or postponed.
A: The Real Life Exhibit in Tigard, Oregon is closed until further notice due to health safety concerns surrounding COVID-19.
While this museum remains closed, we’ve created an engaging digital version for you to enjoy at home with your friends and family. See our COVID-19 response in action with a free virtual tour.
Take a tour
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