Lutherse Burgwal 10 2512 CB Den Haag
Tel	:	070 - 313 65 00
Fax	:	070 - 313 65 01
Email	:	info@memisa.nl
Web	:	www.memisa.nl

Memisa Medicus Mundi, is a Dutch international NGO supporting health care in developing countries and is one of Europe's largest Third World medical aid charities. It has been in operation since 1984 when the organization Memisa, founded in 1925 by 2 doctors from Rotterdam and a priest, merged with Medicus Mundi Nederland. In the Netherlands, Memisa works together Kinderstem, Mensen in Nood (Caritas Netherlands), and Vastenaktie (Dutch Lenten Campaign) within the framework of Cordaid (Catholic Organisation for Relief and Development). Production and distribution of affordable medicines are also supported.

For almost three-quarters of a century, Memisa Medicus Mundi has lent support to local partner organisations in the South for the advancement of good and durable health care, especially for the benefit of the least privileged. Memisa works together with local partner organisations in more than 40 countries and provides staffing assistance by sending out about 150 experts each year specialised in the field of health care. Memisa provides structural and humanitarian aid regardless of belief or political conviction.

Over the years, this work has developed from organising courses for departing missionaries at the time into setting up integrated health-care programmes adjusted to contemporary quality standards. With the growing activities, Memisa had to accentuate its policy permanently and frequently adjust its working method. Persistent to its professional identity and aware of its roots in the Roman Catholic religious community, Memisa wants to keep pace with modern times.

In accordance with policy, Memisa emphasises the structural advancement of a durable health service. Besides, Memisa is prepared for lending emergency relief in periods of disaster. One may also rely on Memisa for small-scale direct aid so that a local problem may be solved quickly. For efficiency and quality reasons, Memisa attaches more and more importance to a programmed approach by means of development agreements with steady partner organisations in the South. This includes a concentration in certain countries and regions. These concentration areas are selected on, among other things, the basis of the degree of poverty and historical relationship, and are tuned in to the parent organisation Cordaid and their sister-organisations: Mensen in Nood and Kinderstem.

India is one of the major countries in Asia where Memisa cooperates with local organizations. These organizations may provide health care, shelter to children living in the streets, work with underprivileged young people or fight for the rights of slum dwellers.