About us
Première Urgence Internationale is a non-profit, apolitical and secular international NGO. It helps civilian victims marginalized or excluded by the effects of war, hazard-related disasters and economic collapse.
Who we are ?
The aim of Première Urgence Internationale is to provide a global response to all the fundamental needs of populations affected by emergency crises, enabling them to regain their autonomy and dignity. Our vocation is to defend fundamental human rights, as defined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Our projects are currently carried out in 25 countries by 3,133 national staff, 207 expatriates and 133 head office employees.
Our history
In 1979, the Afghan population was suffering as a result of internal conflict and the Soviet invasion. Doctors, nurses, midwives and pharmacists of the “Aide Médicale Internationale” (AMI) association took action in the field, training the locals in medicine. Their slogan was “Let’s help them do without us”. For 31 years, AMI provided health support to populations in extremely hard-hit and conflict-affected areas, training local health staff, providing cross-border aid, and rebuilding medical facilities. “Backpack” doctors and nurses doing cross-border work became one of the calling cards of AMI.
In 1992, while the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina was raging, three friends wanted to help the victims of this deadly war. To achieve their goal, they set up an organization named “Première Urgence”. They collected medicine and food products, rented several trucks, and crossed Europe to reach Sarajevo, under siege and constant bombing. Following this experience, they decided to devote their lives to humanitarian action and Première Urgence became an NGO focused on providing aid in emergencies.
In 2011, the committed humanitarian workers of Première Urgence and the experienced doctors of Aide Médicale Internationale came together. They joined forces to help vulnerable populations around the world through humanitarian action in the form of emergency medical aid and the provision of health services. Première Urgence Internationale was born.
Today, our teams work in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and the Middle East, operating in areas of armed conflict or in response to hazard-related disasters. Première Urgence Internationale is now one of the largest French humanitarian NGOs.
1979
Creation of Aide Médicale Internationale
The Afghan population is suffering from the war resulting from internal conflicts and the Soviet occupation. Doctors, nurses, midwives and pharmacists from the “Aide Médicale Internationale” association go into the field to train local people in medicine.
1992
Sarajevo under the bombs
Three friends decide to join forces to help the victims of the conflict in the Balkans. They collect medicines and foodstuffs, rent several trucks and cross Europe to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Première Urgence is born.
2000
New century, new scale
The two associations Première Urgence and Aide Médicale Internationale extend their operations to the African continent, with missions in Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. The scale of operations is new for both organizations, which expand exponentially.
2008
Syria
Première Urgence intervenes in Syria to respond to the influx of Iraqi refugees. Three years before the Syrian crisis that would inflame the entire region for more than a decade.
2010
Haïti
An unprecedented earthquake hits the country, one of the poorest in the world. Aide Médicale Internationale is already on site, and Première Urgence teams reinforce their numbers.
2011
The merger
The committed humanitarians of Première Urgence and the seasoned doctors of Aide Médicale Internationale join forces to bring assistance to vulnerable populations around the world. Première Urgence Internationale is born.
2020
The global pandemic
The COVID-19 crisis brings the world to a standstill, but not the crises. In parallel with their missions, Première Urgence Internationale teams respond to the pandemic, particularly in the slums of France.
2023-2024
The suffocation of Gaza
Following the Hamas attacks of October 7, the populations of the landlocked Palestinian territory of the Gaza Strip suffer incessant bombing, deprivation of humanitarian aid and daily human rights abuses. Première Urgence Internationale responds as best it can to this desperate situation.
Our commitments
To help, relieve and preserve lives by carrying out humanitarian and development actions throughout the world, without discrimination, on behalf of civilian victims endangered, marginalized or excluded by the effects of armed conflict, hazard-related disasters or economic collapse resulting from political upheaval or the consequences of environmental and climatic degradation.
- Our values
- Our vocation is to defend fundamental human rights, as defined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Independence, neutrality and impartiality
- Access, quality and impact
- Accountability
- Participation and partnerships
- Commitment and professionalism
Acting transparently
Première Urgence Internationale has an accounting and management control department whose rigor and transparency have been certified in every audit by our financial partners.
Our annual financial statements are certified without reservation by Deloitte & Associés, our statutory auditor.
Each year, Première Urgence Internationale allocates the bulk of its resources to the programs it deploys in its various fields of intervention, and only 0.2% to fundraising. Your donations are essential.
5 million
people supported worldwide
122.2
million euros annual budget
93%
of resources in the field
43
institutional and private partners