IRC volunteer passing out information packets for critical basic health services.

The IRC delivers critical basic health services—including primary, reproductive and community health care; nutrition screening and referral; and emergency referral—to internally displaced people and conflict-affected communities that face acute health problems such as tuberculosis, dysentery and influenza.

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Mobile health teams of doctors and nurses providing basic primary health care to families.

Mobile health teams of doctors and nurses provide basic primary health care at clinics in villages and camps. The IRC also supports the training of community health workers.

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IRC community health worker providing education on practicing good hygiene.

IRC community health workers provide education on practicing good hygiene, using mosquito nets and repellent, and recognizing the symptoms of malaria.

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Ma Hla Hla May writing on paper.

Ma Hla Hla May, 33, has been working as a community health worker with the IRC for 18 months in Da Paing Muslim camp. She registers patients and acts as translator, takes temperature and blood pressure, facilitates education sessions, and provides support for government immunization efforts.

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A clinic health worker giving an expectant mother a check-up.

A clinic health worker gives an expectant mother a check-up. Ma Hla Hla May’s favorite part of her job is assisting with reproductive health work. “I like taking care of pregnant women,” she says. “I enjoy doing my job every day because I enjoy helping the community.”

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Ma Hla Hla May and a group of friends.

Although conditions have improved since Ma Hla Hla May arrived, she does not want to remain in Da Paing Muslim camp permanently. “The room where I live is very small, there is poor ventilation, and it can be noisy because of the thin walls,” she says. “I would like to go home—although my home was burned in 2012, so I don’t know where I would live.”

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A group of women and girls during an education session.

The IRC sponsors women’s protection and empowerment activities, refers women and girls who are survivors of violence to support services, and facilitates education sessions.

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Nyo Nyo Aye looking in the mirror

Nyo Nyo Aye, 23, lives with her parents and older sister in a Rakhine camp and has been working with the IRC as a women and girls’ wellness attendant for three years.

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Nyo Nyo Aye speaking to a group of people.

“My responsibilities include facilitating education sessions, checking medical supplies and assisting with life skills classes such as sewing,” says Nyo Nyo Aye of her work. 

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A group of girls sewing.

“I think that the sewing sessions are most useful because they help women in the community generate income," Nyo Nyo Aye says. "The education sessions are also useful because people learn about the consequences of early marriage and how to prevent it.”  Photos: Kaung Htet/IRC

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