AIFO is the “Associazione Amici di Raoul Follereau” (Italian Association Amici di Raoul Follereau). We are an international NGO, with the headquarters in Bologna-Italy, carrying out social and health initiatives according to the Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID) approach. Our work is endorsed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Commission, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and UN Agencies, among others. We are an official partner of the WHO, the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP) and the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC). AIFO was founded in 1961 by a group of volunteers inspired by Raoul Follereau ’s message of love and justice, “Against Leprosy and all Leprosies”. In 2020 we have active projects in Brazil, Tunisia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mozambique, India, China and Mongolia.
AIFO’s vision and mission stem from the precepts of Raul Follereau:
The vision is to develop actions that contribute spreading and building a “civilization of love”.
Its mission is to promote cooperation policies aimed at the self-development of peoples, while implementing specific social and health intervention programs.
AIFO promotes initiatives through the establishment of Country-Programs, each with its strategy and action plans. In Liberia, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Mongolia and Brazil we have a National Coordination Office. In Brazil, Mongolia and India, we work through local “sisters organizations” closely linked to AIFO: BRASA (Brasil Saúde e Ação) in Brazil, Teghs Niigem in Mongolia and Amici Trust in India.