**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Contact:
Margaret Aguirre
(310) 826.7800
maguirre@imcworldwide.org

International Medical Corps Expands Relief Efforts, Medical

Clinics in Padang, Indonesia Following Earthquake

October 5, 2009, Los Angeles, Calif. – International Medical Corps is expanding

its relief efforts in Padang, Indonesia, as well as three outlying villages, operating
mobile and static clinics, including for those displaced in camps by last week’s
deadly earthquake.

The search for survivors continues, with International Medical Corps supporting
the efforts of its long-time partner in Indonesia, Ambulan 118, a national
organization of emergency responders. However, hope is dwindling that
survivors will be found in the rubble of the 7.6 quake that the U.N. estimates
claimed 1,100 lives and left thousands of others missing. Some 90,000 homes
have been destroyed.

International Medical Corps is providing emergency health care and distributing

much needed non-food items and hygiene kits to those who have suffered
injuries and also lost family as well as their homes.

“There have been landslides in nearby villages that have widened the
destruction, so we are also focusing our outreach to areas that are as much as
three hours away from Padang,” said Yogi Mahendra, International Medical
Corps senior logistics officer. “Also, because water systems have been damaged
or destroyed we are very concerned about access to clean, safe water and
sanitation.”

In order to continue providing assistance to the victims, International Medical

Corps is in need of donations, including cash and gift-in-kind, to assist in the
effort.

Earthquakes, volcanoes and other seismic activity occur frequently in the region,
commonly called the Ring of Fire; the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean, to which
International Medical Corps was one of the first organizations to respond,
claimed nearly 230,000 lives.

Since 2005, International Medical Corps, alongside Ambulan 118, has conducted
ongoing Disaster Management and Response training programs with disaster
simulations for government departments mandated with disaster response in
over 10 provinces in Indonesia. Along with local partners, International Medical
Corps has raised the capacity of over 1,000 medical personnel and laymen
(including police, firemen, search and rescue personnel and community leaders)
in emergency medical response and disaster management. This training and
simulation was also conducted in Padang, West Sumatra. Over 200 government
officials participated in the earthquake simulation.

Since its inception 25 years ago, International Medical Corps’ mission has been
to relieve the suffering of those impacted by war, natural disaster and disease, by
delivering vital health care services that focus on training. This approach of
helping people help themselves is critical to returning devastated populations to
self-reliance. For more information visit our website at www.imcworldwide.org.
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