USA
UK
AUSWHO WE ARE
ALIMA, The Alliance for International Medical Action
7,000,000
patients cared for since our creation in 2009
14
countries of intervention
30
research and innovation projects
Our story
The story of ALIMA began in 2009 in Niger. While the entire medical profession witnessed an alarming peak of acute malnutrition and increasing infant mortality rates, the health structures for managing malnutrition were becoming increasingly rare.
The year before, many international NGOs had been expelled from the country. Local NGOs were the only ones left to act, but they lacked resources. From these conditions came the idea to create a new model of humanitarian organization: an African medical alliance connecting national NGOs and international research institutes.
ALIMA was born.
Since the beginning of this adventure, ALIMA has treated more than 6 million people in 13 countries around the world, mainly in Africa.
Our approach
An alliance relying on African operational teams
ALIMA works hand-in-hand with our partners.
Our model of governance is based on local NGOs being an integral part of ALIMA. Our African partners are experienced and create solutions adapted to local or regional contexts. Departing from conventional humanitarian protocols, a network of partner organizations increases the impact of our medical emergency programs, especially in areas of conflict with high mortality rates.
In addition, our strength resides in the fact that we have a majority of national African employees, who represent 98% of all ALIMA employees, at all levels, from country directors to our operational headquarters in Dakar.
Research and Innovation
Because our mission goes far beyond healing and saving lives, innovation and medical research are at the heart of our actions to find lasting solutions and to ensure we are not faced with the same medical crises twice.
We aim to propose innovative projects to meet the challenges of 21st century humanitarian medicine.
The ALIMA charter
ALIMA’s purpose is to save lives and to care for the most vulnerable populations, without any discrimination based on identity, religion or political affiliation. Our actions rely on proximity, innovation, and the alliance of organizations and individuals.
We act with humanism, impartiality and with the respect of universal medical ethics.
* Cover picture © Alexis Huguet / ALIMA
ALIMA’s key dates
Creation of ALIMA and opening of the first project in Niger
Creation of ALIMA and opening of our first project for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition with our Nigerien partner, the local NGO BEFEN (Bien Être de la Femme et de l’Enfant au Niger/Well-Being of Women and Children in Niger) (© Jennifer Lazuta / ALIMA)
HAÏTI
HAITI – Opening of a surgical project to care for patients injured in the earthquake. (© ALIMA)
MALI
MALI – Implementation of a project to fight malaria and malnutrition with our Malian partner AMCP, the Medical Alliance Against Malaria. (© Nana Kofi Acquah / ALIMA)
DR CONGO
DR CONGO – ALIMA’s first intervention in DRC to respond to a cholera outbreak in Kinshasa and the western provinces of the country. (© ALIMA)
CHAD
CHAD – In partnership with the Chadian NGO Alerte Santé, ALIMA launches a project to treat severe acute malnutrition and malaria in the Lake region. (© Adrienne Surprenant / ALIMA)
BURKINA FASO
BURKINA FASO – Opening of an ALIMA mission in collaboration with national NGOs, Keoogo and SOS Medecins to treat acute malnutrition among children in Yako and Bousse health districts. (© What Took You So Long / ALIMA)
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC – ALIMA launches an emergency response to care for displaced populations affected by the conflict in the capital Bangui. (© Sam Phelps / ALIMA)
GUINEA
GUINEA – Opening of the Ebola Treatment Center in Nzérékoré, in the southern forested area of Guinea. (© Sylvain Cherkaoui / ALIMA)
NIGERIA
NIGERIA : Opening of a pediatric emergency project for displaced populations in the city of Monguno. (© Sylvain Cherkaoui / ALIMA)
NIGERIA
NIGERIA – ALIMA opens a project to care for populations affected by the conflict around Lake Chad. (© What Took You So Long / ALIMA)
CORAL Platform
Launch of the CORAL (Clinical and Operational Research ALliance) scientific platform. (© ALIMA)
SOUTH SUDAN
SOUTH SUDAN – Implementation of a medical project for displaced populations. (© Eymeric Laurent-Gascoin / ALIMA)
DR CONGO
DR CONGO – Deployment of ALIMA’s CUBEs (Biosecure Emergency Care Units for epidemics) during an Ebola outbreak in North Kivu. (© John Wessels / ALIMA)
MAURITANIA
MAURITANIA – ALIMA opens a project to provide medical care to Malian refugees in the Mbera camp. (© Mohammed Youness / ALIMA)
GENEVA
Presentation of the CUBE (Biosecure Emergency Care Units for Epidemics) at the World Health Assembly in Geneva. (© ALIMA)
DAKAR
ALIMA celebrates its 10th anniversary. Photograph taken during the annual General Assembly meeting at the headquarters in Dakar, Senegal. (© Cora Portais / ALIMA)
OptiMA
OptiMA – Publication of the results on research to optimize the treatment of acute malnutrition conducted by the ALIMA/SOS Médecins/Keoogo consortium in Burkina Faso. (© What Took You So Long? / ALIMA)
Covid-19
COVID-19 – ALIMA deploys emergency response teams to combat COVID-19 in its 12 countries of intervention. (© Sylvain Cherkaoui / ALIMA)
Maternity school in Boda
Central African Republic – Opening of a maternity school in Boda to train midwives, midwife assistants and traditional birthing attendants to care for pregnant women. (© Cora Portais / ALIMA)
Our Team
Our governance
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