Emergency (organization)

Emergency (stylized as EMERGENCY in all caps) is a humanitarian NGO that provides free medical treatment to the victims of war, poverty, and landmines. It was founded in 1994. Gino Strada, one of the organization's co-founders, served as EMERGENCY's Executive Director. It operates on the premise that access to high-quality healthcare is a fundamental human right. The organization has treated over 12 million patients since its inception, and has active operations in Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Italy, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Uganda. Projects usually involve the construction and operation of permanent hospitals, as well as training of local staff. The original aim was to bring free, high-quality medical assistance to war victims. Over time, their projects assumed a broader view, now providing specialist and ongoing medical care in locations that require these facilities and expertise. EMERGENCY was recognized as a non-profit organization in 1998, and received jurisdictional approval as a non-governmental organization in 1999. It has been an official partner of the United Nations Department of Public Information since 2006, and a special consultant for the United Nations Economic and Social Council since 2015.