Our Mission: Sustainable and Dignified Healthcare for All
Background
Human Bridge was founded in 2001 as an association created to coordinate material‑based aid within two Swedish aid organizations: Läkarmissionen and Erikshjälpen.
In 2013, the association was reorganized into a foundation. Lindra Second Hand is run as an independent nonprofit association whose surplus helps co‑finance Human Bridge’s aid projects.
Where We Are Located
Human Bridge’s head office and main depot are located in Holsbybrunn, in the municipality of Vetlanda. All medical equipment is sorted and refurbished here.
Human Bridge also operates two additional depots, in Genarp and Rosersberg, as well as three sorting facilities in Högsby, Huskvarna, and Ullared. These facilities handle the textiles and shoes collected through the collection containers placed throughout the country.
Since 2011, Human Bridge has been registered as a Non‑Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Ethiopia, with an office in Addis Ababa.
Partnerships
Human Bridge’s main partners are Läkarmissionen and Erikshjälpen. Some of the aid projects carried out are done in collaboration with these organizations. Human Bridge is also able to enter partnerships with other organizations seeking support with collection, packing, or logistics.
Quality Work & Documents
Human Bridge is quality‑certified according to the Swedish Quality Base standard and environmentally certified according to the Swedish Environmental Base standard. Links + logos: Susa Miljöbas + Kvalitetsbas
Here you will find links to documents and policies for those who want to explore our work in more depth:
- Annual reports
- Impact reports
- Other documents: Investment policy, Code of Conduct, Anti‑corruption policy, Environmental policy
Leadership
The Board’s task is to manage the affairs of the Human Bridge Foundation and represent the foundation. The Board must consist of at least five and no more than nine members. Members are appointed for a term of up to three years. Läkarmissionen and Erikshjälpen each have the right to appoint an equal number of members, and together these must constitute at least half of the total number of board members. The remaining members are appointed by the Board of the Human Bridge Foundation.
Board members are recruited by a nomination committee appointed by the Board. The aim is to ensure that members collectively possess the breadth of skills and experience needed for the Board to fulfil its responsibilities effectively. The Board strives for gender balance and values the benefits that arise when people of different ages and backgrounds meet and collaborate.
The Board normally meets four times per year or as needed, but at least twice per financial year.
The management team of Human Bridge consists of the Director together with the heads of the various functional areas within the organization.
Human Bridge Board Members: Bo Guldstrand, Mattias Ingeson, Anders Malmstigen, Bengt Swerlander, Jennifer Eriksson, Andreas Zetterlund, Josephine Sundqvist, and Roland Nissfolk.
News & Media
The Human Bridge newsletter contains information about our aid efforts, greetings from our staff and partners, and updates on what is happening within our organization. Read our previous newsletters (link to archive)
Welcome to subscribe! (Newsletter subscription link)
More news and opinion pieces from Human Bridge can be found here: https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/human-bridge
If you are a journalist and wish to contact Human Bridge for an interview, report, or similar, you are warmly welcome to reach out.
For questions related to aid work: Robert Bergman, International Director 0709‑37 33 10 robert.bergman@humanbridge.se
For questions related to Human Bridge and textile handling: Lars Råsberg, Secretary General 076‑797 99 14 lars.rasberg@humanbridge.se
Where Our Shipments Go
Project efforts in the form of deliveries of medical supplies, clothing, and essential goods are carried out to around 20–30 countries each year. Most of these countries are located in Africa, Eastern Europe, or the Middle East, but destinations in Asia are also included on the recipient list. All efforts are carried out in cooperation with local partners, who are responsible for distribution and reporting of the projects.
The countries to which Human Bridge sent shipments in 2017 — including medical supplies and clothing — are marked in blue on the map. In some cases, there are several recipients within the same country.
Eastern Europe: Moldova, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Hungary Baltics: Estonia, Latvia Africa: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania Balkans: Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Greece, Kosovo, Serbia Middle East: Iraq