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| Contact: IMC: Stephanie Bowen sbowen@imcworldwide.org 310-826-7800 AHA: Naomi Pardington communications@africahumanitarian.org Tel. +251 (0) 11 551 -1224/ -3541 |
In signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both IMC and AHA have committed to enhancing their existing programs to further secure the health and well-being of refugees, the internally displaced, and others affected by conflict and disaster.
Several objectives have been identified, including the development of IMC’s and AHA’s emergency response capacity, the sharing of technical expertise in the fields of health and nutrition, and the coordination of advocacy efforts. IMC and AHA will also partner around emergency preparedness, and disaster risk reduction activities, and explore joint fundraising and messaging following disasters or other acute humanitarian crises. These efforts will address the critical gap in human and financial resources that often inhibits effective emergency operations.
“We share AHA’s commitment to build local capacity and foster self-reliance. We are especially honored to work with such a highly respected Pan-African NGO,” says Nancy Aossey, President & CEO of International Medical Corps.
“This development is most exciting, exemplifying the changing tide in humanitarian action, towards developing genuine north-south partnerships based on comparative advantage; proffering sustainable solutions and common ownership. We look forward to working together with such a committed, credited and innovative organization as IMC,” says Dr. Dawitt Zawde, President & CEO of Africa Humanitarian Action.
Aossey and Zawde signed the three-year agreement in Geneva on July 12, 2007.
Launched in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide in 1994, Africa Humanitarian Action provides effective humanitarian assistance to alleviate human suffering throughout Africa. Building on the strength of African people to solve African problems, it works with refugees, internally displaced persons, and local communities, to achieve sustainable solutions to the challenges faced. Headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, AHA currently works in 11 countries running programmes in Capacity Development; Health Care; HIV/AIDS; Public Advocacy; Relief & Recovery; and Sexual & Gender Based Violence.
Since its inception in 1984, International Medical Corps’ mission has been consistent: relieve the suffering of those impacted by war, natural disaster and disease, by delivering vital health care services that focus on local capacity building. This approach of helping people help themselves is critical to returning devastated populations to self-reliance. IMC currently works in 25 countries, regions, and territories worldwide, including 12 in Africa.
International Medical Corps and Africa Humanitarian Action believe that working in collaboration will contribute to saving lives and improving the health and well-being of the people in the African countries where they work.
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