
Our Work
Disaster Relief & Emergency Response
IMR is a first responder where our DARTs (Disaster Area Response Teams) put their compassion into action by helping survivors impacted by disasters around the world.
IMR meets the critical urgent needs in the immediate aftermath of a disaster is essential to ease the suffering. IMR’s philosophy is First In – Last Out. On average, our teams hit the ground within the first week of a disaster. We continue to run operations well beyond when most NGOs have left to ensure that the community’s needs are met. In our response, we reach those most in need no matter where they are located or what the surrounding conditions are.
International Medical Relief has conducted disaster relief response missions to over 19 countries, where teams that include psychiatrists, EMTs, nurses, doctors, dentists, specialists, orthopedics, and students, reach beyond borders in order to provide critical care to the most vulnerable communities impacted by the aftermath of these disasters. IMR has responded to hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, typhoons, and volcano eruptions. We have also responded to countries undergoing famine and civil unrest.
Recent IMR efforts have been towards responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. and other countries in need. All of IMR’s disaster relief efforts include medical clinics and/or sending resources and supplies to countries in need.
Before disasters strike, IMR trains the communities we serve on disaster preparedness in order to increase their survival in a disaster and expand their literacy capacity.
IMR has responded to the following disasters:
- Earthquakes: Chile - Earthquake (2010) ● China - Earthquake (2008) ● Haiti - Earthquake (2010) and (2018) ● Indonesia - Lombok earthquake (2018) ● Nepal - Gorkha earthquake (2015) ● U.S. - Disease Outbreak (2020)
- Hurricanes: Bahamas - Hurricane Dorian (2019) ● Dominican Republic - Hurricane Maria (2017) ● Nicaragua - Hurricane Otto (2016)
- Humanitarian Crisis: Congo - Famine and unrest (2016) ● Ethiopia - Famine from droughts (2015) ● Greece - Syria conflict (2016) ● Libya - Civil conflict (2011)
- Disease Outbreak: COVID-19
- Volcano: Guatemala - Volcano Fuego (2018)
- Typhoon: Philippines - Typhoon Haiyan (2013)
- Cyclone: Myanmar - Cyclone Nargis (2008)
- Tsunami: Indonesia - Tsunami (2004)
Indonesia Earthquake 2018
IMR Disaster Relief Response Structure:
We recruit medical relief teams in waves according to the needs of the people in a community after disaster strikes. We mobilize our volunteers based on their skill set as it relates to the urgency of the victims.
Our immediate responders are surgical and orthopedic volunteers, urgent care providers, and wound care specialists, that can help with immediate patient stabilization. We also bring in psychiatric care for posttraumatic stress disorder, grieving, loss of life and consultation on other traumatic issues facing disaster victims. Immediate disasters also include general family practice and internal medicine providers, mid level practitioners, as well as nonmedical volunteers for coordination, set up and communication. Our community health education focus initially concentrates on obtaining safe and secure areas for living if people are displaced as well as clean water solutions, accessing shelter/water/medical and other assistance programs that may be available to the communities.
In IMR’s second phase our volunteers have been prepared and are actively working in general medicine in the field. Providers of all types are utilized.
International Medical Relief continues to send in volunteer medical responders and begins to create a long term strategic plan based on the health and medical needs of the community. This may include treating general community health, prevention and education, long term and chronic health conditions, health and psychological assessment post disaster, and long range follow up clinics.
Haiti Hurricane 2016

Disaster Relief Provided to 17 Countries
Bahamas
Chile
China
Congo
Dominican Republic
Ethiopia
Greece
Guatemala
Haiti
Indonesia
Lebanon
Libya
Myanmar
Nepal
Nicaragua
Philippines
Puerto Rico
United States
Join Us in Making a Difference.
Bring much-needed acute medical and dental care to a beautiful, culture-rich destination. You can join an IMR medical mission team today!