Conflict, drought, environmental disasters, hunger and famine: these are some of the dramatic situations that trigger the phenomenon of African migration, most of which (85%) occurs within the continent, with people fleeing either to neighboring countries or to other regions within their own country, thereby becoming refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). This is why so many African nations find themselves juggling multiple crises on top of prior situations of fragility, whether institutional, political, economic, environmental and/or health-related.

To cope with the instability and emergencies that continue to be seen on the African continent, CUAMM offers long-term development projects, increasingly investing in preparedness and in actions aimed at staying ahead of risks and increasing readiness. The end goal, of course, is to facilitate quick, effective responses to emergencies, thereby mitigating their impact.

UKRAINE

Though the majority of our work is done in Africa, when a war broke out a stone’s throw from home, CUAMM sprang
to action to help a country which now has over five million internally displaced people and 5.8 million refugees. They are 60% women, 27% minors, and 48% people who live with a disability. From our first activity concentrated on the city of Chernivtsi to the border with Romania, CUAMM’s intervention has grown to involve 29 hospitals in 6 different Oblasts (Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhya) supported through the provision of medicines, medical supplies, food and clothing to 40.594 people and psychological assistance to 1.288 beneficiaries, including men, women and children. Funded by the OCHA and implemented in partnership with VIS, the project’s target is 3.072 IDPs and 38.789 community hosts.

MOLDOVA

Since the conflict began on February 24, 2022, more than one million refugees have crossed the border into Moldova, one of Europe’s most vulnerable countries. CUAMM began working in the country in 2022 with a focus on the capital city of Chișinau. Since then, working closely with the Ministry of Health and the WHO, our activities have been guided by the dual goal of providing basic healthcare in the refugee camp of Testemitanu and in 5 regional hospitals (Ungheni, Orhei, Soroca, Causeni, and Edinent) with 958 recipients (women and children) and ensuring that 1.494 people have access to essential drugs. Moreover, special training was provided to the local medical staff regarding neonatal emergencies, to 133 personnel units, and 14 trainers in seven regional hospitals (Cahul, Ungheni, Orhei, Soroca, Causeni, Edinent, and Hinchesti). The project is funded by UNICEF.

In 2023, the expenditures of the non-profit NGO Doctors with Africa CUAMM totaled €48,786,061. Of this figure, 91.5% (€44,641,610 was invested in CUAMM prevention, treatment and training projects in the countries where we are active. Operating costs accounted for 3.5% (€1.703.798) of the total, and included the overall management of CUAMM’s facilities, staff, depreciations, financial charges, and taxes and fees. Communications, public awareness/outreach and fundraising expenses accounted for 5% (€2.440.654) of the total and included the organization of events in Italy, publications, media relation, public awareness and development education, loyalty marketing, new campaigns, and the staff of the Communications, Community Relations and Fundraising divisions.