Our Impact

Lasting change - meaningful, measurable change that endures over generations - is possible when communities lead the way.

We believe African communities have the solutions to protect and create better health for themselves and the continent, so in everything we do, the community is at the centre.

We start by listening to and understanding their needs and challenges, and partner them to devise the most appropriate solutions drawing on local tools and knowledge.

We have worked this way for nearly 70 years, starting in Kenya and expanding our work to now reach more than 35 African countries. Every year, we support more than 16 million people across Africa to access quality health information and services.

In 2024, our work ensured:

Amatu Zinalo Village Health Team (VHT, the local name for Community Health Workers) and Village Health Team Coordinator, meets a client during an outreach in Ameri Village, Gamba Parish, Zombo District. © Amref Health Africa Uganda
Children in the pad making group make reusable pads at the Bugana Primary School Bukana Village in Namayingo district.
Children make reusable pads at Primary School in Namayingo district. © Amref Health Africa / Sarah Waiswa
Betty Acayo fetching clean drinking water in Jimo Village, Amuru District, Northern Uganda. © Amref Health Africa / Steve Kagia
AMIU student Naomi Sintamei visits Elizabeth Kasena's family (with baby Ryan Baraka) in Kilifi County as part of community health care provision during her internship. © Amref Health Africa / Steve Kagia
Rachel Mamboni-Nurse and Midwife Technician talking with Roseby Chipilala who has come for a clinic with her child at Mapelera Health Centre in Chikwawa.
Rachel Mamboni-Nurse and Midwife Technician talking with Roseby Chipilala who has come for a clinic with her child at Mapelera Health Centre in Chikwawa. © Amref Health Africa / Amaru Photography

With improved access to medical science and more trained health workers, vaccination rates especially for children under five and vulnerable groups has increased. We can see the direct impact of this on child mortality rates. In the 1960s, nearly 2 in 10 children would not live to see their fifth birthday. That rate is now down to 46 children in every 1,000.

Yet, Africa still has the lowest global percentage of people receiving adequate health services. Less than half (46%) of people can access the health services that they need. 

A portrait of the Musheki family with dad Musheki Saidimu, 40, Mum Pilale Musheki, 30 and daughter Joan Naneu, 11 outside their homestead in Maparasha Location, Kajiado. © Amref Health Africa / Sarah Waiswa

In Kajiado County, Kenya, Amref’s work with Maasai communities has established an Alternative Rite of Passage that ends the cut of FGM/C. An independent evaluation found that this model had contributed to a 24% reduction in cases of FGM/C in Kajiado, over a ten-year period. Building on that track record, we later extended our work to Ethiopia, Senegal, and Uganda: countries where we have had a permanent presence for many years.

Progress made

We believe African communities have the solutions to protect and create better health for themselves and the continent, so in everything we do, the community is at the centre.

We start by listening to and understanding their needs and challenges, and partner them to devise the most appropriate solutions drawing on local tools and knowledge.

We have worked this way for nearly 70 years, starting in Kenya and expanding our work to now reach more than 35 African countries. Every year, we support more than 16 million people across Africa to access quality health information and services.

Africa’s progress proves that change is possible.

With your support, Amref can reach even more health workers with training, and more people with the health information and services they need to live healthy, joyful lives.

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