Middle East Refugee Aid (MERA), a UNC student-run nonprofit organization, is dedicated to reducing health disparities in refugee communities through literacy-based interventions. Founded by UNC seniors Bilal Azzam and Tala Jazairi in 2022, MERA gained momentum last summer and has since established a student organization on campus. The board of the student organization includes Azzam, Jazairi, Salma Hakam, Aabia Saeed, and Adam Sherif.
MERA’s focus on health literacy stems from consultations with health professionals who identified a lack of awareness as a significant issue in refugee camps. By implementing educational curricula on preventative health measures, MERA aims to eliminate health problems before they arise. This approach allows the organization to address health disparities and promote equitable access to healthcare for refugees.
Recently, MERA was awarded the Robert E. Bryan Public Service Award by the Carolina Center for Public Service. This recognition highlights the organization’s outstanding engagement and service to the state of North Carolina. Salma Hakam, the director of public health at MERA and a UNC junior, expressed gratitude for the award and emphasized the importance of making a positive impact through their work.
MERA’s mission reflects the quote by Paul Farmer that questions who is considered “human enough” to have access to healthcare if it is a human right. Through its efforts to provide educational resources and support to refugee communities, MERA strives to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need while advocating for health as a fundamental human right.
