Strategies for Navigating Health Commodity Procurement in Humanitarian Settings

International Medical Corps’ emergency-planning processes, including a robust program for prepositioning medical commodities, helped to make it the first international NGO to be classified by the WHO as an Emergency Medical Team Type 1 (fixed and mobile) provider, capable of responding to a disaster anywhere in the world within 48 hours.

International Medical Corps is a global humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering. With more than 7,300 staff around the world, International Medical Corps responds to emergencies, offers medical services and strengthens local healthcare systems through training and capacity-building.

As Head of Global Procurement for International Medical Corps, Nikola Usenovic leads a team of eight procurement specialists who manage international sourcing of medical and nonmedical commodities and services for approximately 30 country missions and three headquarters offices. He has participated in numerous emergency responses, including Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, Ebola outbreaks in Africa, and the COVID-19 pandemic.