BOSTON and NEW YORK, December 18, 2023 — Recognizing the critical need for access to quality diabetes care in humanitarian settings, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust today announces a $2.6 million grant to the International Alliance for Diabetes Action (IADA) to address diabetes within the context of rising global displacement.

“As more people face forced migration due to compounding health and humanitarian crises, IADA is determined to make a meaningful difference for those living with diabetes in the world’s most vulnerable and underserved communities,” said Sylvia Kehlenbrink, Executive Director of IADA and Director of the Noncommunicable Diseases in Conflict Program at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. “With support from Helmsley Charitable Trust, we’ll continue fighting for access to compassionate, evidence-based chronic care for those affected by conflict.”

According to the UN Refugee Agency, the world is currently witnessing the highest number of forcibly displaced people in recorded history, and the situation is expected to worsen due to growing environmental pressures. Weather-related disasters displaced more than 32 million people last year alone. Simultaneously, diabetes cases are on the rise — but diabetes care is not routinely included in humanitarian health interventions, despite its increasing prevalence and the elevated risk it poses to individuals during crises.

The new grant will advance IADA’s ongoing efforts to address diabetes in humanitarian settings, including:

• Improving access to insulin, other essential medicines, and diagnostics for controlling blood sugar;
• Unifying clinical and operational guidelines on diabetes care in fragile and conflict-affected settings;
• Strengthening data and research to support evidence-based decisions, programs, and policies;
• Promoting the rights of people living with diabetes and reducing social stigma; and
• Mobilizing more resources so everyone, everywhere has care when they need it.

“IADA’s approach is collaborative and unifying,” said James Reid, Program Officer in the Type 1 Diabetes Program at the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “By connecting international organizations from all sides of the issue, they have developed person-centered initiatives that enhance the quality of diabetes care for the thousands of families affected in humanitarian settings around the world.”

IADA fosters communication, promotes collaboration, identifies synergies, and merges efforts to achieve greater collective impact. For more information about IADA and its initiatives, please visit www.iadadiabetes.org or contact Anna Nakayama at anna.nakayama@iadadiabetes.org.

###

About IADA

The International Alliance of Diabetes Action (IADA) is a global collaborative platform dedicated to improving access to quality diabetes care in humanitarian settings. IADA brings together a diverse network of over 100 international organizations from various sectors to develop innovative and impactful initiatives that address the diabetes crisis in the context of humanitarian crises. IADA is supported by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and operates in four key thematic areas: Clinical and Operational Service Delivery, Access to Essential Medicines and Diagnostics, Data and Research, and Advocacy on Policy and Financing.

About The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has committed more than $4 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes. The Helmsley Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Program is the largest private foundation funder in the world with a focus on T1D, with more than $1 billion to date committed to transform the trajectory of the disease and to accelerate access to 21st century care, everywhere. For more information on Helmsley and its programs, visit helmsleytrust.org.

Media Contacts

Carey Meyers, Communications Director, +1 347 409 3588, cmeyers@helmsleytrust.org