Horn of Africa Medical Equipment, Mobility Aid & Diplomacy Foundation Bridging healthcare. Connecting communities.
Delivering medical equipment, mobility aids and hope to the Horn of Africa
We connect donated medical equipment and mobility aids in Australia with hospitals and communities facing critical healthcare shortages across the Horn of Africa and neighbouring countries.
Registered Australian Charity · Public Benevolent Institution · DGR Endorsed
Our mission
To improve access to healthcare, relieve suffering and support greater independence for people experiencing disadvantage in the Horn of Africa.
Our volunteer-led charity works alongside Rotary, Donations in Kind, health services and community partners to turn surplus equipment into practical humanitarian assistance.
Our story, mission and values →
How it works
Giving medical equipment a second life
Equipment that is no longer needed in one healthcare setting can still make a meaningful contribution in another.
We coordinate the sourcing, preparation and shipment of donated medical equipment and mobility aids to under-resourced hospitals and healthcare facilities. From hospital beds and dialysis machines to wheelchairs and walking aids, these resources help strengthen local services and support people experiencing illness, disability and disadvantage.
- 01Sourced from Australian hospitals & aged care
- 02Prepared and packed by volunteers
- 03Shipped to locally identified needs
Our impact at a glance
21 containers. Six countries and regions. Countless patients.
Since the first humanitarian shipment, our initiative — working closely with the Rotary Club of Footscray and Donations in Kind — has coordinated 21 containers of medical equipment and mobility aids.
Where we work in Ethiopia — 12 containers across five areas
- 7 containers Somali Regional State
- 2 containers Harar Regional State
- 1 container Tigray Regional State
- 1 container Dire Dawa City Administration
- 1 container Dubti, Afar Regional State
These figures reflect the combined work of the original Rotary project and the Foundation that grew from it. Behind every shipment is a shared effort involving donors, volunteers, healthcare professionals, community representatives and receiving institutions.
Featured Campaign
21st Humanitarian Container — Dubti Referral Hospital, Afar Region
Fully funded! Together with the Rotary Club of Footscray, Australian Light Foundation and the Australian Afar Society, we raised the $25,000 needed to ship a 40-foot container of lifesaving medical equipment to Dubti Referral Hospital via the Port of Djibouti.
What we do
Practical help, delivered with care
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Strengthen healthcare services
Hospital beds, dialysis equipment, surgical instruments, medication trolleys, storage cupboards and other essentials for facilities facing resource shortages.
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Support mobility and independence
Wheelchairs, walking aids and other mobility equipment that help people with disabilities and restricted mobility take part in everyday life.
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Build lasting partnerships
Bringing together Australian health services, Rotary volunteers, diaspora communities and overseas healthcare partners.
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Promote community wellbeing
Health education, connections to mental health support, and wellbeing and social inclusion for older Horn of Africa community members in Melbourne's west.
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Reduce waste through reuse
Giving surplus equipment a second useful life instead of sending it to landfill.
Spotlight
Supporting access to dialysis in eastern Ethiopia
Our collaborative initiative has contributed refurbished dialysis equipment and related medical resources to two public dialysis services:
- Sheik Hassan Yabare Referral Hospital Dialysis centre · Jig-Jiga University
- Jugal Hospital Dialysis service · Harar
These contributions have supported efforts to expand access to essential renal care for patients facing financial, geographic and logistical barriers to treatment — practical assistance and sustained partnership with local healthcare institutions.
Our partners
Partnership makes this work possible
Our overseas healthcare and community partners help connect assistance with local priorities. Together, these relationships support the journey from equipment donation in Australia to use in a receiving healthcare facility.
- Rotary Club of Footscray Inc
- Donations in Kind (DIK)
- Footscray Rotary Aged and Community Service Fund
- Australia Light Foundation
- Hararian Organization Inc
- Western Health
- Austin Health
- The Royal Children's Hospital
- The Rotary Foundation District 9800
- Disaster Aid Australia
- Australian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Canberra
Latest Updates
News from the field
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Thank You for Your Endorsement — DGR Status Confirmed
Our application for charity tax concessions and Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status has been finalised, effective from 20 November 2025 — meaning donations to the Foundation are now tax-deductible for Australian supporters.
Read the full story -
21st Container Fundraising Target Reached!
We're proud to announce the successful completion of our fundraising target for the 21st humanitarian shipment — a 40-foot container of essential medical equipment bound for Dubti Referral Hospital in the Afar Regional State of Ethiopia.
Read the full story -
22 Pairs of Soccer Boots Donated to Yedenekachew Football Club
In partnership with the Rotary Club of Footscray and Donations in Kind, we distributed 22 pairs of soccer boots to Yedenekachew Football Club — supporting young people and local sport in the Horn of Africa community.
Read the full story
