DELEGATES FROM THE UNITED STATES ATTEND IFMSA MEETING IN TURKEY
18 March 2005 - Antalya, Turkey

Eight IFMSA-USA officers just returned from the biannual international meeting of IFMSA, this March
held in Antalya, Turkey. 650 medical students, representing 72 countries, were in attendance.

The US delegation consisted of:
Aditi Joshi, National President
Sidney Callahan, National Executive Vice-President
Sonali Seth, National Secretary-General
Andy Sechler, National Vice-President - Midwest Region
Anabel Tergas, National Vice-President - Southeast Region
Corinne Peimer, National Officer on Refugees and Peace
David Price, National Officer on Medical Education
Alex Lee, National Exchange Officer

The theme of the meeting was Child and Maternal Health. Keynote speakers from UNICEF and the WHO spoke about ways for medical students and doctors to become more aware of the inequalities present between and within countries. Dr. Sargin, from UNICEF, also stressed that while medical care is important, the proper running and implementation of health systems is even more crucial.

The Millennium Development Goals were also discussed, whether and how students thought they could be achieved. UK students have recently joined the Make Poverty History Campaign, known as the white band, or The One campaign in the US. We have also just joined in and will be updating you on how to get involved!  Until then, check out http://www.whiteband.org.

New projects included a Sudan Village Project, organized by IFMSA-Sudan. Look out for another email with a list of all current projects and international opportunities available.

IFMSA welcomed three new candidate members: Azerbaijan, Ecuador, and Palestine. The bid for the March Meeting in 2006 was won by Chile, and next year's meeting will be on the coast, an hour outside of Santiago.

We also participated in the Pan American Students Regional Meeting where we welcomed the Ecuadorean students. We discussed way to involve even more countries in the Americas, fundraising, and possible joint projects. We have groups working on all of these areas, if anyone is interested in working on these topics with our friends in Central and South America, please send me an email!

While we worked hard during the day, we were afforded some time for the social events in the evenings. The highlights included a Cultural Show, a belly-dancing party, and a school party with school supplies as an entrance fee later donated to children in India, Palestine, and Lebanon who could not afford them.

After the long week, we returned home until the next meeting in August, taking place in Hurghada, Egypt.  Until then, feel free to email me with any questions about any of the topics listed!!

Aditi Joshi
National President
International Federation of Medical Students' Associations - United States of America
president@ifmsa-usa.org 

Please write to us if you have any questions: info@ifmsa-usa.org
 

IFMSA-USA RAISES MONEY FOR TSUNAMI RELIEF
11 January 2005 - Aceh and North Sumatera, Indonesia

The past several weeks have seen many of us affected directly and indirectly by the recent earthquake and tsunami that have devastated much of southeast Asia. Many of us that have been working at the national level of IFMSA-USA have seen our friends and medical student colleagues in Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Malaysia, and the Maldives.

Throughout the past weeks, we have received steady correspondence from our IFMSA affiliates in these countries. These medical students are working around the clock as part of the relief effort in these countries. IFMSA-USA is trying to help them.

Our student colleagues have established a fund that will flow directly to those in greatest need. IFMSA-USA continues to raise money that will be sent directly to help the rehabilitation of the post-disaster situation in Aceh and North Sumatera.

We hope that you will join us in this effort.  Enclosed below is one of the correspondence letters after the disaster from Radi Muharris Mulyana, the National President of the Indonesian national affiliate of IFMSA. Radi is a medical student, just like us, and he is mobilizing students throughout Indonesia in this effort. Our student colleagues throughout the world have mobilized efforts to support their efforts, and IFMSA-USA continues to offer our support.

IFMSA has shown many of us just how small the world is, as many of us have had friends that are caught directly in this terrible tragedy. We hope that you will join us in this effort to support our colleagues in Southeast Asia.

Sincerely yours,
Aditi Joshi
IFMSA-USA National President


Dear IFMSA friends,

As you all already know, last Sunday an earthquake occurred in some part of Asia. It triggered tsunami waves that killed thousands people in India, Maldives, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Bangladesh.

The latest information we receive this evening, the victimes has doubled to be nearly 7,200 deaths and thousands of people need badly for medicines, food, and shelters. It is reported that the needs of disinfectants is emerging due to the possibility of choleric outbreaks. During the emergency situation, there is an abundant need of gloves and body bag to evacuate and burry the bodies.

Our NMO, is now trying to raise world awareness on this issue as well as collecting aid to help the internally displaced people (IDP) in Aceh and North Sumatera.

If by any chance, your NMO is willing to help, below the description of our project including bank account number to which you can transfer the money. Any help will be highly appreciated.

What?

MEDICARE is the international project initiated by CIMSA to help rehabilitation of post-disaster situation in Aceh and North Sumatera. 

MEDICARE aims to:

Raise people awareness on the natural disaster that has occurred in Aceh and North Sumatera
Collect humanitarian aid to help internally displaced people (IDP) in Aceh and North Sumatera
Distribute humanitarian aid to the IDPs and participate in the rehabilitation period
When?
From now until 3 months post-disaster
Where?
Aceh and North Sumatera
Who?
CIMSA in collaboration with some national organizations
How?
We’ve calculated that it would be more effective to donate money rather than sending goods. So, please transfer your aid to:

Bank name : Bank Central Asia (BCA) Kantor Cabang Pondok Lestari
Beneficiary Name : Kartika Maharani
Beneficiary Address :
Account Number : 3451619878
SWIFT Code : CENAIDJA

For more information, please find attached project summary fact sheet and description. If you have any question, please don't hesitate to contact me or our NORP - Salkamal norp_cimsa@yahoo.com.  

Best Regards,
Radi Muharris Mulyana
President
Center for Indonesian Medical Students' Activities (CIMSA)

Please write to us if you have any questions: info@ifmsa-usa.org