Our vision
A world in which the poorest and most marginalised enjoy their right to health.

Our mission
We work with some of the poorest and most marginalised communities in Africa,   Asia and Latin America, often in very difficult environments.  We work to enable these communities to achieve both immediate and long-term improvements to their health, promoting this as one of their fundamental human rights.  At the same time we campaign for the changes in policies and practices needed to create and sustain good health among the world’s poorest people.

 
Background
Health Unlimited was founded in August 1984 by a group of British aid workers to meet the gap in the provision of medical aid to people affected by prolonged and complex conflicts.  Health Unlimited started its first action in southern Afghanistan in the same year.  Most assistance in war-torn areas is focused on emergency relief which, essential though it is, does not address long-term needs and, more importantly does not invest in the potential of local people to take control of their lives. 

From these origins we pioneered a development approach to working in fragile states and difficult environments and have extended our remit to include work with indigenous people whose lives and lands are threatened.

Today Health Unlimited works in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We give priority to the most marginalised and remote communities who are neglected by governments and virtually everyone else.  

To request a copy of our 2007/08
Annual Review, please email your postal address or download a pdf here.

For a copy of our 2007/08
Audited Accounts, please email your postal address or download a pdf here.

Find out about our statutory funders and partners...

Find out about how we fundraise from private sources...

Join our e-mailing list and receive notifications of Health Unlimited events, press releases, appeals and e-news.

Download a full colour pdf here of our latest report: Delivering Health Services in Fragile States and Difficult Environments.
13 Key Principles.

Frequently Asked Questions about Health Unlimited are available here

Who is Who at Health Unlimited, including our Trustees, and organogram

Health Unlimited strategic plan
 

Working in remote areas often involves working with Indigenous People...

Health Unlimited has a particular concern for indigenous peoples, whose lands, livelihood and health are threatened by social exclusion, discrimination and persecution. 

We reach 3.2 million people, including over 2.4 million indigenous people, each year through our primary health care programme, and an estimated 26 million through our health education radio programmes.

Working with communities rather than for them, our work leads to sustainable change. We help reduce maternal and child mortality through sustainable community based health services focusing on nutrition, immunisation, safer birthing techniques, fully equipped health centres, water and sanitation. Our health education programme includes radio soap operas, community theatre and training to promote safe motherhood and help prevent life-threatening diseases such as malaria, TB and HIV. Please visit our programme focus page for more.

We also campaign to remove the barriers to health. We believe that a commitment to health demands a commitment to environmental sustainability, poverty eradication, peace and political stability as well as high quality, accessible and culturally appropriate health services.
 

5 reasons for supporting Health Unlimited...

• In most areas where we operate, Health Unlimited is the only organisation specialising in long-term health programmes.
   

• For every pound you give 92p is invested in supporting the communities we work with.

• We work with indigenous people and communities living in the inaccessible areas of countries affected by conflict or political instability. These communities would otherwise be neglected by their own government because they are considered too expensive to reach or are discriminated against.  

• 95% of our field staff are local people trained by Health Unlimited. We have pioneered a culturally sensitive and long-term approach to working in post conflict and remote areas that invests in the potential of local people.  

• We have a cost effective approach focusing on health education, prevention and positive health seeking behaviour.

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