Mehad (Medical Humanitarian Action for Development) is a French nonprofit organization dedicated to health and international solidarity. It works in conflict zones where access to healthcare is severely compromised.
At the core of Mehad’s mission is the co-creation of sustainable healthcare systems in collaboration with local health actors. This approach allows Mehad to operate in areas where many organizations cannot, enabling the reconstruction of resilient, long-term healthcare infrastructures.
Founded in 2011 by a group of physicians determined to deliver medical care to populations affected by the Syrian civil war, Mehad expanded its operations to Ukraine in 2022. By 2024, the organization also began working in Lebanon and Yemen, always partnering closely with local healthcare professionals.
Each year, Mehad delivers 1.5 million medical interventions to more than 933,000 individuals, thanks to a dedicated network of nearly 500 on-the-ground professionals.
With over 12 years of experience in providing life-saving medical care in war-torn Syria, Mehad was swift to respond as Ukraine faced its own devastating conflict. In 2022, when the war broke out, Mehad rushed to offer its expertise to those in need.
The organization created rehabilitation programs for wounded war veterans in Ukraine. These programs provide not only physical recovery but also psychosocial support, helping veterans rebuild their lives, regain their dignity, and heal from the war trauma they’ve endured. For many, it’s the first step toward a future beyond the war.
Mehad also launched critical training programs for local healthcare workers in the most urgent areas: war medicine, advanced first aid, emergency obstetrics, and defense against chemical weapons. These programs aim to improve emergency response capabilities across Ukraine, empowering healthcare professionals to save lives in the most challenging conditions imaginable.
Mehad’s work in Ukraine is more than medical care—it’s about restoring hope, dignity, and a sense of possibility for those whose lives have been torn apart.
Impact:
1. Rehabilitation Centers for Wounded Veterans
Mehad operates three rehabilitation centers in Kyiv and Vinnytsia, providing holistic care for war victims, many of whom have suffered amputations or severe injuries. These centers offer physical recovery services, psychological counseling, and social reintegration support.
The facilities, which can treat up to 73 patients daily, focus on key goals:
With the Ukrainian healthcare system facing immense long-term challenges, Mehad’s expertise ensures wounded veterans receive the care needed for comprehensive recovery.
This rehabilitation project represents a critical step toward rebuilding the physical and emotional lives of those affected by the conflict.
Learn more about the program here: Video link
2. Training Healthcare Providers to Strengthen Ukraine’s Health System
Mehad believes that access to training and the empowerment of local healthcare professionals is key to rebuilding Ukraine’s healthcare infrastructure.
Mehad offers advanced war medicine training programs designed in collaboration with international and Ukrainian experts. These programs provide participants with modern equipment and high-quality instruction. Initially based in Lviv and Kharkiv, the training is now delivered through mobile units to adapt to the region’s unstable security conditions.
The goal is to equip Ukrainian healthcare workers to train their peers, ensuring the sustainability of the initiative. Courses cover critical topics, including chemical weapon protection, advanced first aid, pain management, and pediatric physiotherapy, with programs currently active in Kyiv and Vinnytsia.
See the program in action: Video link
Read more: MEHAD: Helping Wounded Veterans in Ukraine 3 Years Into the Invasion
In the heart of Paris’s Marais district, Ithaque gives new focus to darkroom printmaking, pairing artistic practice with social impact. The art gallery, founded in
One year after the disastrous Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on December 14th, 2024, Fondation de France remains fully committed to helping individuals and families rebuild,
As we close our 25th anniversary year, we are proud to share a snapshot of the generosity that U.S. donors extended to our projects this