Humanitarian Committee

Mission

The EFAS Humanitarian Committee is dedicated to extending the reach of foot and ankle healthcare to underserved communities across Europe and beyond. Through strategic partnerships, medical outreach programs, and educational initiatives, we aim to alleviate suffering, restore mobility, and improve the quality of life for individuals with foot and ankle-related conditions in populations with limited access to specialized care.

Vision

We envision a world where every individual, regardless of socio-economic status or geographic location, has access to high-quality foot and ankle healthcare. Our goal is to minimize mobility limitations, ensure timely and effective treatment of foot and ankle conditions, and reduce healthcare disparities through collaboration within the global medical community.

Goals & Initiatives

Educational Outreach:
- Conduct training programs, workshops, and educational courses to empower healthcare professionals in underserved regions.
- Provide healthcare workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to diagnose and manage foot and ankle conditions locally.
Providing Accessible Care:
- Develop and implement sustainable healthcare projects that offer essential foot and ankle care services to vulnerable populations, including refugees, low-income communities, and regions with limited medical resources.

Key Projects & Activities

Principles of Foot and Ankle Surgery Courses in LMIC (Low- and Middle-Income Countries):
- The committee has been actively involved in organizing international educational initiatives. In September 2024, EFAS contributed to the BOFAS Principles Course in Rwanda, providing specialized training to local surgeons.
- The first bilingual Principles Course in Foot and Ankle Surgery is scheduled to take place in Mozambique in April 2025
- The next Principles Course is planned for September 2025 n Algeria
Online Educational Sessions & Case Discussions:
- In March 2025, the committee launched its first online case discussion with healthcare professionals from Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa.
- The committee will hold monthly online complex case conferences, creating an international network of collaboration and knowledge exchange.
International Fellowship & Collaboration:
- Each year, the committee will sponsor a surgeon from a Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC) to attend a national EFAS meeting, providing an opportunity for professional development and networking.

Leadership & Committee Members

Chair: Manuel Resende Sousa
Co-Chair: Rick Brown
EFAS Foundation Representative: Victor Valderrabano
Committee Members:
- Bruno Pereira
- Manfred Thomas (EFAS President)
- Kris Buedts (EFAS Past-President)

The EFAS Humanitarian Committee is committed to fostering sustainable and impactful change in global foot and ankle healthcare. Through education, accessibility, and collaboration, we strive to make specialized care available to those who need it most.

Support Our Mission

The EFAS Humanitarian Committee relies on generous contributions to expand foot and ankle healthcare in underserved communities. Your donation helps fund essential medical outreach programs, educational initiatives, and the provision of specialized care to those in need.

By supporting us, you are directly contributing to:

- Training healthcare professionals in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)
- Providing life-changing foot and ankle treatments to vulnerable populations
- Expanding global access to high-quality medical care

Every contribution makes a difference. If you would like to support our mission, please consider donating to our dedicated humanitarian fund:

Donation Details: