MS International Federation launches programme in the Arab region

A two-year country-focused capacity building programme was launched this year by the MS International Federation targeting three MS organisations from the Arab region.

The programme was initiated with visits by the MS International Federation’s Regional Capacity Building Manager, Abdelfatah Ibrahim, in May and June 2013 to meet three selected organisations, the Lebanese MS Friends Society (ALSEP), MS Care Egypt and Multiple Sclerosis Patients Friends – Palestine (MSPF), and to find out each organisation’s main areas of need.

Focus groups with people with MS in the three countries were organised before starting the capacity assessment process. By the end of each visit, MS International Federation and the board members of the selected organisations worked together to develop 2013-2014 action plans.

Productive

“The meetings were very interactive and well-organised and have explored all the small details and issues about the Society. The process has also introduced a new development perspective that I never thought about before. The ideas flow was perfect and productive,” commented an MS Care Member.

The aim of the programme is to build the capacity of three organisations from the Arab region to enable them to increase the support they can offer people with MS in their countries.

ALSEP identified fundraising and the lack of a management system as the two areas of need; MS Care will focus on strategic planning and public relations; while MSPF selected strategic planning and fundraising as its areas of focus.

Abdelfatah said : “It was great to work with the three organisations to do the capacity assessment and set the future action plans in a very participatory way. I enjoyed working with them and look forward to the implementation of the plans.”