“Public health issues cannot be resolved through medical treatment alone. Other factors must be taken into account as part of a broader approach [….] giving those who are most vulnerable the means to care for themselves, obtain housing, food, and an education”
Alain MÉRIEUX
President of the Mérieux Foundation
Mérieux Foundation staff work with local NGOs to improve the health and well-being of populations in distress, with a particular emphasis on mothers and children suffering the consequences of poverty, conflict and natural disasters. Improving the living conditions of mothers and children is a growing focus of our work, funded by Fondation Christophe et Rodolphe Mérieux as part of a close partnership between our two family foundations.
Middle East
We have been active in the Middle East since the start of the conflicts in Iraq and Syria, assisting displaced populations in Iraq and Lebanon as part of initiatives supported by Fondation Christophe et Rodolphe Mérieux: sending medicine, food relief, building housing, a school, a mother and child health center, etc. Research projects have also been launched in partnership with the Lebanese Ministry of Health, to eradicate the resurgence of pulmonary infections amongst refugees.
Haiti
In Haiti, since the earthquake in 2010, we have been assisting with reconstruction efforts and working with the GHESKIO Centers (Haitian Group for the Study of Kaposi’s Sarcoma and Opportunistic Infections) and several other organizations in partnership with Fondation Christophe et Rodolphe Mérieux (orphanages, professional training centers, dispensaries, etc.). After hurricane Matthew in 2016, we also helped provide emergency assistance: distributing cholera kits, foodstuffs, and medical supplies.
Madagascar
In Madagascar, we renovated a training center and student accommodation in Antananarivo: “Maison Bénédicte”, named in memory of Dr. Bénédicte Contamin, the former manager of the Mérieux Foundation in Madagascar. With Fondation Christophe et Rodolphe Mérieux we also support a number of local charities that fight against poverty, like Akamasoa (“the good friends”) which works to improve sanitary conditions in small rural villages (building latrines, waste bins and water tanks) and helps to create jobs.
Mali
In Mali, Senegal and Peru, the Mérieux Foundation and Fondation Christophe et Rodolphe Mérieux support Samusocial International’s work with street children who face social exclusion and marginalization in capital cities in developing countries. The support helps the mobile assistance teams, daycare with medical treatment and counseling, and emergency accommodation.
Other initiatives
Other initiatives are currently underway in Cambodia and Bangladesh, with programs to support individuals in distress, as well as in health education and water treatment.