Africa

In Africa, malnutrition in children and access to quality healthcare remains a challenge. Many young people migrate due to poverty and are exposed to different risks during their journey. At their destination, they often fall into the trap of exploitation or get into conflict with the law. Terre des hommes (Tdh) improves the health of children, accompanies child migrants to protect them and fights for alternatives to child detention. We train professionals to provide adequate support and advocate for political solutions respecting children’s rights.

3.5 M children and members of their communities benefited from Tdh projects in 2020 Sharing is caring!

2.5+ people received mother and child health services in 2020 Sharing is caring!

1.4 M children have been cared for with the help of our digital tool IeDA in 2020 Sharing is caring!

Our programmes in the region

Mother and Child Health

We develop innovative ways to improve the healthcare of children under five and their mothers in the region. With digital tools and a strategy to reach the most remote health personnel with training, we increase the number of saved lives. In our specialised healthcare programme, we treat children with diseases such as heart failure who cannot be treated locally and, through missions by Swiss hospitals, train local health personnel to become independent in the long term.

Children and Youth in Migration

We protect migrating children on their journeys, from departure throughout their migration route to their destinations. We set up protection centres where they can consult social workers and receive information about available services that help them avoid exploitation or abuse. We also train professionals to provide suitable services to these children.

Access to Justice

In detention centres, we support young people in conflict with the law to get out of the spiral of violence. By promoting alternatives to detention, we offer them a restorative approach that prevents recidivism and helps them reintegrate into the community. We also train traditional justice actors in conflict mediation and arrange meetings between them and formal actors to improve the collaboration of the two systems. This helps prevent conflicts and promotes peaceful solutions.

Humanitarian Aid

In crisis contexts such as Nigeria and South Sudan, as well as in refugee settings in Kenya, we work for the protection of displaced children and their families. In a multisectoral approach combining psychosocial support, health services and emergency aid, we provide children with the most essential basics so they survive malnutrition and illnesses, and can overcome trauma. We also help them to acquire skills for the future and knowledge about their environment so they can provoke a change in their communities.

Key projects

SIMESON

Through the Tdh’s SIMESON project (Simulation of Essential Skills in Obstetrical and Neonatal care), we train midwifes and health workers in rural areas of Mali, Nepal and Bangladesh to make sustainable improvements to the quality of care provided at birth.

IeDA - A digital solution to save childrens' lives

IeDA strengthens primary health care in rural areas in West Africa through innovation: a mobile application on digital tablets improves children’s medical treatment thanks to a better diagnosis.