Humanitarian Aid & Medical Assistance (HAMA) under the IHRC RFT, Africa Region HQ
HAMA is acronym for… Humanitarian Aid/Medical Assistance (HAMA) Relief Board of the International Human Rights Commission.
Taking care of Humanitarian aid for vulnerable populations such as patients who are, children, elderly, socioeconomically disadvantaged, underinsured or those with certain medical conditions is the main function of the HAMA. Members of vulnerable populations such as displaced persons from conflicts or disasters and the sexually assaulted often have health conditions that are exacerbated by unnecessarily inadequate healthcare. The HAMA comes to their rescue.
HAMA under the IHRC Africa Region HQ has Rehabilitation Funds and Charity Patient Medical Funds for indigents. One of the biggest problems which one comes into contact with daily is the fact that the indigents lack funds to finance prescribed needed medicines and costly special laboratory tests. Also special cases of deprivation and want pervades in the society. The HAMA Services has therefore been introduced with a mandate to accommodate these needs through donations from various quarters such as individuals and donor organizations.
Procedures and Criteria for Selection of Beneficiary:
Only persons who the officials of HAMA can clearly attest to qualify as indigents can be beneficiaries. The HAMA comes to the aid of the following cases
- Terminal cases
- Advanced cancer, and/or hopeless cases involving neurological disorder with poor prognosis
- Maintenance medications for cases such as arthritic conditions, hypertensions, diabetes, long-term dialysis, etc.
- Expensive surgical cases such as open heart surgery and organ transplants.
- Victims of accidents from transportation
- Cases of homelessness, severe hunger/deep malnutrition and disease outbreak
- Child Abuse and victims of domestic violence
Allocation of funds:
Many donors donate for specific cases and HAMA allocates these funds to satisfy the donor’s specific requests.
Source of funding:
Individual donors
Companies/corporations and other foundations
Fund-raising events – the HAMA can hold events periodically such as golf tournaments, art auction, concert, fashion shows, etc. these events are organized solely to fund the HAMA.
Reporting
The HAMA keeps a logbook detailing disbursements which includes names of patients and receipts. Reports are sent to donors periodically and or when the funds have been exhausted.
