What exactly are the SDGs?
SDGs stands for Sustainable Development Goals. These goals were drawn up by the United Nations in 2015 and implemented from 2016 in order to make the world a better place. These 17 goals (divided into 169 specific targets) form the framework within which, by 2030, efforts must be made to end poverty, protect the planet, and promote peace and social well-being. They are universal goals that must be viewed as a whole. They express the three facets of sustainable development with an economic, a social, and an ecological dimension.
Through its various projects, Damien Foundation is committed in the long term to providing access to healthcare for the most vulnerable. In close cooperation with the international community, our organisation contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals for the benefit of each individual across the world.
No poverty
We not only want to help cure patients, but also to provide social and economic assistance where necessary.
Leprosy and tuberculosis primarily affect people living in poverty. All our healthcare provisions, services and initiatives are free for patients and their families. In this way, we prevent them from entering a negative spiral as a result of illness, which would prevent them from working and therefore providing for their family.
Zero hunger
We distribute food kits to families in need, as well as tools to work the land.
In Burundi, Damien Foundation is working together with a local NGO and associations for leprosy patients to set up specific projects, such as rearing goats. In India, we distributed food parcels to patients during the COVID crisis. Food aid to tuberculosis patients and their families forms part of almost all our programmes.
Good health and well-being
By screening and treating infectious diseases like leprosy and tuberculosis in 14 countries across the world, we actively contribute to achieving the third United Nations goal.
The eradication of tuberculosis and tropical diseases such as leprosy and leishmaniasis is our reason why ! In 2021, we helped to identify 283,247 patients with leprosy, tuberculosis or leishmaniasis, and 38,282 of them received our support in the 14 countries where we are active.
Quality education
By financing study grants and school supplies, we can help children with leprosy or tuberculosis return to education.
In practice: We help children return to school, such as Kamana (Nepal). With our support, some former leprosy patients have even been trained to nurse others, such as Abubakar (Nigeria).
Several Damien Foundation doctors are further pursuing their doctorate programme, which brings added benefits for patients. We are also working to improve local skills by providing people with continuous training on the spot.
Gender equality
In 2020 all the staff at Damien Foundation headquarters received basic training in gender equality. We are also working on a specific action plan per department.
In a number of countries, inequality between men and women and socio-economic and cultural factors still constitute an obstacle to healthcare for women. Promoting gender equality can reduce certain risk factors and therefore help eliminate infectious diseases from the world.
The gender dimension is systematically present in our programmes. We call for inclusion in regard to gender equality in all our programme countries. In Kinshasa, we organised a workshop on the subject of gender.
Clean water and sanitation
We renovate homes and sanitation facilities in the communities where we are active, to ensure that people can live in a healthy environment.
We have invested in various projects, such as the building of new sanitation blocks in a village for leprosy patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Affordable and clean energy
We place solar panels on the roofs of our health centres to reduce CO2 emissions.
We have installed solar panels on the roofs of our health centres and offices in countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Comoros, and Nigeria.
Decent work and economic growth
We promote the re-integration of patients in their community by providing them with the necessary means to start or restart a professional activity and to return to the job market after recovering from their illness.
We gave William (Guatemala), Bano (India), Wasiu (Nigeria) and dozens of other former patients the means to begin a professional activity and to return to the job market after recovering from their illness.
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
By investing in scientific research, we aim to discover new innovative tools and procedures for fighting infectious diseases.
In practice: In 2021, we carried out 26 operational research projects and published 15 scientific papers. We have also provided financial support to a number of research projects, including for the vaccine project against leprosy.
Reduced inequalities
We strive for equal rights for all, through our information and awareness campaigns.
Every day we endeavour to ensure that no one is left behind and for an improvement in universal access to healthcare. In 2021, our efforts were greater than ever. In the context of the COVID-19 crisis, our caregivers went out to the patients and ensured that the appropriate medical care was provided for people in a vulnerable situation, who were unable to travel to a health centre.
Climate action
We limit our use of paper, offset the ecological footprint of our flights, and manage our medical waste sustainably.
We are continuing to limit our use of paper and fossil fuels, to offset the ecological footprint of our flights, and to manage our medical waste sustainably.
We are also extending the use of solar energy by installing solar panels.
Partnerships for the goals
We conclude sustainable partnerships with local health institutions, the authorities, and the NGOs active in the country in question.
We have strengthened communication and exchanges (of knowledge and material) with our national, regional and international partners, governments, universities, NGOs, civil society and patients’ associations. We have done so in the field of research, achieving national public health goals and implementing common, strategic frameworks for non-government cooperation wherever we are active.
