Responding When Disaster Strikes

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In the aftermath of a disaster, speed saves lives. Recent earthquakes in Venezuela, hurricanes in Jamaica, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Gaza have shown how quickly healthcare systems can be overwhelmed. Hospitals run out of essential medicines, supply chains break down, and frontline workers face the impossible task of treating patients without the resources they need.

In these moments, the global health community looks to partnerships to help bridge the gap – but effective disaster response is not only about getting medicines into the country. More importantly, it’s about ensuring they arrive safely, are appropriate for the context, and are distributed efficiently to those in need. Boaz underpins this work at IHP. IHP’s in-house-developed Gift-in-Kind healthcare product donation platform, Boaz, supports disaster preparedness and response by building transparency, coordination, and trust into the process.

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Through inventory management, Boaz ensures that medical products donated by healthcare partners are visible and traceable at every stage, from donation through to point of distribution. This visibility builds confidence: companies know their products are being used responsibly and can see where they are making a meaningful difference. For NGO partners, Boaz reduces uncertainty by providing clear information on which stock is available and how it can be deployed.

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Why Preparedness Matters

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While rapid response is essential, true resilience comes from preparation. Pre-positioning medicines and supplies before a crisis occurs is one of the most effective ways to ensure a swift and coordinated response. When medicines are ready and accessible, healthcare providers can begin treatment immediately, without the delays caused by customs clearance, supply chain bottlenecks, or last-minute sourcing.

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For healthcare partners, this approach means their product donations can have maximum impact, reaching people exactly when and where they are needed most. Preparedness transforms a response from reactive to proactive, turning uncertainty into readiness.

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Essential Health Packs

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At IHP, we have seen how preparedness directly saves lives through our Essential Health Packs (EHPs). Pre-positioned in our warehouse, ready to be deployed when a disaster occurs, EHP’s are our first line of disaster response. Developed with our pharmaceutical donors, these portable kits contain medicines manufactured specifically for this programme, containing carefully selected medication to meet the most common healthcare needs in disasters and fragile settings. A single EHP can support treatment for over 800 patients, providing healthcare workers with the resources they need to act quickly, confidently, and effectively. They are proof that planning ahead turns resilience from a concept into reality.

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Looking ahead: Building impact partnerships

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By combining foresight with innovation, we can build a humanitarian ecosystem that is not just reactive, but resilient. At IHP, we work alongside our partners and use effective and innovative software to connect more people with medical care faster, more responsibly, and with greater impact.

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Together, we are strengthening healthcare systems and connecting medicines, people, and knowledge to save lives. We invite you to partner with us to make resilience a reality, not just a vision. When preparation meets partnership, every medicine delivered becomes a lifeline — and every crisis met with readiness saves lives. Contact Elizabeth Patrick, Partnership Development Manager today to find out more about product donations: e.patrick@ihpuk.org.

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