Contact: Stephanie Bowen Communications Manager (310) 826-7800 sbowen@imcworldwide.org

August 11, 2008, Los Angeles, CA - International Medical Corps (IMC) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq (IHEC). This agreement, which stipulates that IMC will provide capacity-building services including management training to the Commission, will further IHEC's mandate to ensure free and fair elections in Iraq.

Commenting on the MoU, Judge Qassim Al-Aboudi, Chairman of Election Management for IHEC said, "Both parties depend on this MoU in terms of enhancing and developing the Commission's ability to set training strategies and facilitate processes such as site visits and workshops. IMC has committed to implementing a comprehensive plan to train the Commission's staff to the level necessary to hold elections. This agreement comes at a critical time when the Commission is preparing for the next election."

Agron Ferati, Country Director of International Medical Corps in Iraq, added, "International Medical Corps is committed to the long term development of IHEC's capacity. It is essential that Iraqis are prepared for future elections, the electoral process is transparent, and that election results are validated and broadly accepted."

Part of International Medical Corps' mission in Iraq is to bolster public sector service provision by improving institutional capacity. With local and provincial elections delayed until 2009 and general elections scheduled for that same year, IMC's partnership with IHEC comes at a crucial juncture in Iraq's transition to a functional democracy. International Medical Corps will work with IHEC to ensure the Commission possesses the infrastructure, processes, management skills, and technical capacity necessary for it to accomplish its objectives. By drawing upon international and national expertise to provide evidence-based theoretical and practical training to IHEC's core management, IMC will provide IHEC with the tools it needs to become a self-sustaining, effective organization.

Since its founding in 1984, International Medical Corps has worked to relieve the suffering of those impacted by war, natural disasters, and disease through relief and development programs that save lives and build human and institutional capacity. IMC established programs in Iraq in 2003 to address health and development needs, and is one of few organizations to have operated continuously in-country since that time.

Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq is the independent commission responsible for the organization, implementation, and monitoring of elections throughout the 18 Governorates of Iraq.