Press release

Medair reaches 3.5 million people with humanitarian assistance

10 August 2020  /  Switzerland

Sue O’Connor (English)

sue.oconnor@medair.org
+254 713 708 753

In 2019, Medair reached more than 3.5 million people with humanitarian assistance across 13 countries, and was on the frontlines of some of world’s biggest emergencies rekindling hope for crisis-affected families.

Individuals affected by natural disasters and complex crises gained better access to safe drinking water, were treated for malnutrition, were vaccinated against deadly diseases, received emergency shelter assistance, and tens of thousands received cash or voucher assistance to help meet their most pressing needs.

A people-first approach

At the centre of Medair’s mission is the belief that each life matters. As a result, Medair focuses on delivering only the highest quality humanitarian assistance to individuals and families, personalising interventions whenever possible to meet people’s unique needs.

“Through it all, people are at the centre of our actions. Not beneficiaries, not cases, but people,” says Medair CEO, David Verboom. “People like Moira whom I met in Madagascar this year. She rejoiced as she told me she was able to get water in her village for the first time in her life, saving her hours of walking each day. Remembering Moira brings home the life-changing impact we are able to make when we work together and place our trust in God.”

Preparing for future challenges

As global humanitarian needs are on the rise, Medair is preparing for a future full of new and uncertain challenges, compounded by the current COVID-19 pandemic to which Medair is currently responding.

“The time for action is now. There’s still time to minimise the spread and impact of COVID-19 in fragile countries,” continues David Verboom. “At Medair, our teams have been flexibly finding ways to continue essential services while incorporating emergency coronavirus actions.”

Medair is an impartial, independent, and neutral humanitarian organisation inspired by Christian faith to save lives and relieve human suffering in the world’s most difficult-to-reach and devastated places. Medair is currently active in 12 countries.

For regular updates, please check our Twitter feed @MedairInt

Medair is an international relief agency headquartered in Switzerland. We help people who are suffering in remote and devastated communities around the world survive crises and recover with dignity, regardless of race, creed or nationality