Movimento per la Lotta contro la Fame nel Mondo

The Movimento per la Lotta contro la Fame nel Mondo (MLFM), known in English as the Movement for the Fight against Hunger in the World, is an Italian non-governmental organisation headquartered in Lodi. It was recognised as an NGO in 1983 by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its first nucleus formed around 1964, when Arnaldo Moretti, then president of Azione Cattolica, gathered collaborators to support missionaries of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, in connection with the association Mani Tese. The initial office was in the bishop's curia and was moved the following year to via Togliatti 18 in Lodi to mark the Movement's autonomy from diocesan missionary activities. In 1982, one year before obtaining NGO recognition, MLFM joined FOCSIV, the Federation of Christian Organisations for International Voluntary Service. MLFM operates in the Global South with development projects, providing means and expertise while always involving local populations. Its first realisation was a large agricultural enterprise at Khammand in India, followed by an orphanage at Munugodu and various more sporadic interventions. The Movement later decided to concentrate its interventions in Africa to improve focus and avoid excessive dispersion of resources. Its communication and coordination core remains in Lodi, where projects more closely linked to environmental awareness and active citizenship are run. In Africa, MLFM works in several regions with varied objectives, always centred on development and the leading role of local people. Many projects aim to bring clean and safe water and energy, with positive effects on hygiene, health and the environment, through the construction of aqueducts, fountains and other sanitary structures. Other initiatives focus on child protection, with reception centres providing medical, educational and spiritual assistance. Projects on the digital divide install computer labs and organise courses on PC and web use to foster inclusion and social cohesion among younger generations. MLFM also intervenes to teach advanced techniques so that local populations can provide for their own sustenance, in line with the UN's first Millennium Goal of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger. Specific projects listed by the organisation include, in Albania, 'Alle periferie d'Europa'; in Rwanda, the Gatsibo and Gicumbi aqueducts, the Izere Centre at Byumba, the large Byumba aqueduct, the electrical line in Gatsibo District and the Madre della Provvidenza primary school; in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a reception house for girls accused of witchcraft at Ek'Abana, the Fomulac hospital at Katana, and digital-divide projects at Mbobero and Nyamocola; in Ethiopia, digital-divide projects at Wolisso; and in Tanzania, Juco at Morogoro. In Haiti, MLFM has been present in the municipality of Torbeck, Sud Department, since 2008 with water development projects and training and awareness activities for beneficiaries; the 12 January 2010 earthquake made previously built structures insufficient after the region had to host displaced people from the capital, increasing the population by 30%, so the project was integrated with further drinking-water infrastructure and Water and Sanitation training.

The first nucleus of MLFM developed around 1964, when Arnaldo Moretti, president of Azione Cattolica, decided to gather collaborators to offer support to missionaries of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions in connection with the association Mani Tese. The initial headquarters was placed in the bishop's curia, but the following year it was moved to via Togliatti 18 in Lodi to indicate the Movement's autonomy from diocesan missionary activities. Over the years the Movement opened up to the outside and walked alone, though always operating in close harmony with missionaries and Christian-inspired organisations in various parts of the world. In 1982, one year before obtaining recognition as an NGO, it joined the Federation of Christian Organisations for International Voluntary Service (FOCSIV). In 1983 it was recognised as an NGO by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic. The first realisation of the movement was a large agricultural enterprise at Khammand, in India, followed by an orphanage at Munugodu, as well as various more sporadic interventions. The Movement subsequently decided to focus its interventions in Africa in order, above all, to obtain better focus and avoid excessive dispersion of resources. The core of MLFM's communication and coordination is centred in the city of Lodi, where projects more closely linked to environmental awareness and active citizenship are held. MLFM operates in the Global South with development projects, for which it provides means and expertise without ever excluding the essential involvement of local populations. Activity in Italy is also very important, including fundraising to support its activities and awareness-raising, with the aim of spreading information and a culture of solidarity, equality and peace among peoples.

• 2010

  After the 12 January earthquake in Haiti, projects are expanded with additional drinking-water infrastructure and Water and Sanitation training.

• 2008

  MLFM begins presence in Torbeck, Haiti, with water development projects.

• 1983

  Recognised as an NGO by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• 1982

  MLFM joins FOCSIV, the Federation of Christian Organisations for International Voluntary Service.

• 1965

  Headquarters moves to via Togliatti 18 in Lodi to mark autonomy from diocesan missionary activities.

• 1964

  First nucleus of MLFM forms around Arnaldo Moretti in Lodi.

Italian Catholic-inspired NGO focused on development cooperation, water, child protection and digital inclusion in the Global South, with strong local participation.

• Gatsibo aqueduct (Rwanda)

• Gicumbi aqueduct (Rwanda)

• Izere Centre at Byumba (Rwanda)

• Large Byumba aqueduct (Rwanda)

• Electrical line in Gatsibo District (Rwanda)

• Madre della Provvidenza primary school (Rwanda)

• Reception house for girls accused of witchcraft at Ek'Abana (DRC)

• Fomulac hospital at Katana (DRC)

• Digital-divide projects at Mbobero and Nyamocola (DRC)

• Digital-divide projects at Wolisso (Ethiopia)

• Juco at Morogoro (Tanzania)

• Water projects in Torbeck, Sud Department (Haiti)

• Alle periferie d'Europa (Albania)

1. 1Movimento Lotta Fame nel Mondomlfm.it
2. 2Chi siamo | Movimento Lotta Fame nel Mondomlfm.it
3. 3Struttura | Movimento Lotta Fame nel Mondomlfm.it
4. 4Trasparenza | Movimento Lotta Fame nel Mondomlfm.it
5. 5Movimento per la lotta contro la fame nel mondoit.wikipedia.org
6. 6Wikidata Q3866639wikidata.org