The Mission
Haven International supports underserved populations by providing healthcare, education, relief and community development activities. There are currently seven clinics within three village sub-districts of northern Iraq served by Haven International.
Care provided there is coordinated with local physicians or health workers and a wide variety of health services is offered. This includes referral and follow-up care for numerous, primarily chronic conditions such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, diabetes, COPD, asthma, and various skin disorders. The efficacy of treatment is monitored. We work to provide key equipment needs such as running water, sinks, tanks, stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, blood glucose monitoring devices and basic medical equipment.
The support and ongoing care Haven International provides to these rural clinics is critical to their viability within the village. Continuing education is offered on a regular basis to health workers to support the increase of health standards for the communities served.
Its Impact
Our local staff facilitate community-led groups to identify issues and work collectively toward positive, sustainable outcomes
We equip communities with the tools they need to act as the engines of their own empowerment.
Our methodology of authentic participation equips communities with confidence, skills and resource networks.
Our Work
HEALTH
CLINICS
PROVIDING AID TO REFUGEES
NURSING
EDUCATION
EDUCATION & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Who’s Behind the Work
Donna Fritz
Ms. Donna Fritz leads the organization as a volunteer and is a board-certified nurse practitioner with over 30 years of nursing experience. She possesses orthopedic, critical care, and primary health care experience and has served in this portion of the world since 1989.
Her experience as a registered nurse working in refugee and disaster relief; feeding centers for the severely malnourished; and health education programs for women & children, has uniquely equipped her for being familiar with a wide variety of conditions encountered within villages. She received a master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2003 from the University of Oklahoma.