CPAR (Canadian Physicians for Aid & Relief)

CPAR (Canadian Physicians for Aid & Relief) Building health systems capacity and supporting healthy lives in low resourced regions of Africa.

CPAR builds relationships with communities from a foundation of equality and respect. CPAR understands that community members themselves are the experts and that the success of our work stems from our ability to support the processes whereby community members empower themselves to take control of their own and their family’s futures. A healthy community does not simply mean that this community will survive the hardships of tomorrow or the next day – it means that their children’s children will survive and thrive over many years. CPAR’s work is a long term commitment to change in rural Africa which is reflected in the way we build healthy communities. We work with communities to build long-term sustainable solutions as well as the community capacity and ownership that will allow them to endure.

As the African proverb reminds us: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. That spirit gui...
02/06/2026

As the African proverb reminds us: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

That spirit guided today’s conversation hosted by World Accord on building stronger, more effective partnerships in international development!

In today’s context, partnerships are no longer optional, they’re essential to sustaining and scaling impact.

CPAR’s Executive Director, Kathrina Loeffler, was honoured to moderate a panel and roundtable discussions bringing together voices from civil society, the private sector, associations, and academia, all around the same table.

We explored how complementary strengths drive sustainability, the many forms partnerships can take, and the real challenges that come with collaboration, from differing expectations to funding structures and shared risk. Open dialogue, shared goals, and intentional partnership design emerged as key ways forward.

Grateful for the thoughtful exchange and collective commitment in the room today.

Through the ESWA project in Ethiopia, CPAR worked closely with Freedom from Fistula in the Amhara Region and Hamlin Fist...
02/06/2026

Through the ESWA project in Ethiopia, CPAR worked closely with Freedom from Fistula in the Amhara Region and Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Oromia — trusted organizations providing specialized, life-changing care for women affected by obstetric fistula.

By partnering with institutions rooted in their communities, we strengthened referral pathways, connected women to essential services, and helped reinforce local health systems that continue to serve women long after a project ends.

Behind every improved health service is a network of people and institutions working together.In rural Tanzania, CPAR’s ...
02/05/2026

Behind every improved health service is a network of people and institutions working together.

In rural Tanzania, CPAR’s Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies project is shaped and strengthened through partnerships with local organizations that bring deep expertise and long-term presence. A key partner, Haydom Institute of Health Sciences, is leading a research initiative to assess the effectiveness of point-of-care obstetrical ultrasound in rural health clinics, in partnership with the Virtual Health Hub. CPAR also works closely with UMATU and district and regional health authorities to ensure maternal health services are community-rooted and built to last.

This , we are proud to highlight the partnerships that make progress possible and the local expertise that helps turn innovation into real care for women and families.

CPAR est fier de mettre en œuvre le Projet 302, une initiative financée par Transports Canada visant à promouvoir l’auto...
02/03/2026

CPAR est fier de mettre en œuvre le Projet 302, une initiative financée par Transports Canada visant à promouvoir l’autonomisation des jeunes en Éthiopie.

Lors d’une récente visite au Canada, la directrice pays de CPAR Éthiopie a rencontré des représentants de Transports Canada, en compagnie de la directrice générale de CPAR et de collègues de CPAR Canada. Cette rencontre a permis de faire le point sur l’avancement du Projet 302, d’échanger sur les bonnes pratiques et de réfléchir aux principaux enseignements tirés de la mise en œuvre sur le terrain.

Les échanges ont mis en évidence l’importance de la collaboration, de l’apprentissage et de partenariats solides pour générer des retombées significatives et durables, ancrées dans les communautés.

Nous remercions Transports Canada pour son soutien continu et pour cette occasion de renforcer ce partenariat important à mesure que le Projet 302 progresse.

CPAR is proud to be implementing Project 302, a Transport Canada funded initiative advancing youth empowerment in Ethiop...
02/03/2026

CPAR is proud to be implementing Project 302, a Transport Canada funded initiative advancing youth empowerment in Ethiopia.

During a recent visit to Canada, CPAR Ethiopia’s Country Manager, alongside CPAR’s Executive Director and colleagues from CPAR Canada, met with Transport Canada staff. The meeting provided an opportunity to share progress on Project 302, exchange best practices, and reflect on key lessons emerging from implementation on the ground.

The discussion underscored the importance of collaboration, learning, and strong partnerships in delivering meaningful, community-driven impact.

CPAR is grateful to Transport Canada for their continued support and for the opportunity to connect, learn, and strengthen this important partnership as Project 302 moves forward.

International Development Week 2026! This week, we celebrate the power of partnerships, collaboration, and community-dri...
02/02/2026

International Development Week 2026!

This week, we celebrate the power of partnerships, collaboration, and community-driven solutions in international development. The theme for IDW 2026 is “Prosperity through Partnership”, a reminder that sustainable change happens when communities, civil society, the public and private sector work together.

At CPAR, we work with local organizations, governments, and academic partners to strengthen health, education, and livelihoods. Together with our partners, we co-create solutions that respond to local priorities and deliver lasting impact.

Prosperity through Partnerships!This International Development Week 2026, we are excited to be part of a timely conversa...
01/28/2026

Prosperity through Partnerships!

This International Development Week 2026, we are excited to be part of a timely conversation on how cross-sector collaboration can drive real, lasting global impact.

📍 Building Better Partnerships: Cross-Sector Collaboration for Global Impact
🗓 February 6, 2026 | 1:00 PM (ET)
📌 Ottawa – Heartwood House

CPAR’s Executive Director, Kathrina Loeffler, will moderate a cross-sector panel featuring perspectives from civil society, finance, academia, and organizations working in partnership with local communities, followed by facilitated roundtable discussions.

The session will explore what makes partnerships effective, where collaboration often breaks down, and how we can strengthen joint impact in international development.

Thank you World Accord for hosting this important conversation. We look forward to learning, connecting, and building better partnerships together.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/building-better-partnerships-cross-sector-collaboration-for-global-impact-tickets-1980208527010?aff=oddtdtcreator

A new year. New opportunities. The same shared commitment to change. ✨ Thank you for standing with CPAR in 2025 and help...
01/01/2026

A new year. New opportunities. The same shared commitment to change. ✨

Thank you for standing with CPAR in 2025 and helping turn our vision into action. We look forward to all we’ll accomplish together in 2026!

As the year comes to a close, your Gift of Change can do double duty. Support CPAR’s work alongside communities to stren...
12/30/2025

As the year comes to a close, your Gift of Change can do double duty.

Support CPAR’s work alongside communities to strengthen health systems — and receive a tax receipt for this year when you donate before December 31.

Make your year-end gift count: cpar.ca/donate

When you give a Gift of Change, you support farmers, health workers, and community leaders who work every day to improve...
12/29/2025

When you give a Gift of Change, you support farmers, health workers, and community leaders who work every day to improve health and food security in a changing climate.

This holiday season, choose a gift grounded in care, equity, and sustainability.

Donate: https://www.cpar.ca/how-to-help/gifts-of-change

Happy Holidays from CPAR! 😊Wishing you joy, peace, and hope this season. Thank you for helping us create lasting change!...
12/23/2025

Happy Holidays from CPAR! 😊

Wishing you joy, peace, and hope this season. Thank you for helping us create lasting change!🙏

Des voix calmes aux aux leaders confiants.Lorsque le Projet 302, financé par Transports Canada, a lancé sa formation aux...
12/15/2025

Des voix calmes aux aux leaders confiants.

Lorsque le Projet 302, financé par Transports Canada, a lancé sa formation aux compétences interpersonnelles pour les élèves du secondaire défavorisés, plusiers sont arrivés avec hésitation – réservés, incertains et réticents à s’exprimer. Au fil des séances, tout a commencé à changer.

Grâce à des activités interactives, les élèves ont découvert plus que des connaissances : ils ont trouvé la confiance en soi, la réflexion critique et des compétences en leadership.

Un étudiant a partagé :
« Cette entraînement m’a aidé à voir à la fois mes forces et mes limites. J’ai réalisé que je pouvais m’améliorer non seulement dans mes études, mais aussi dans ma façon de me rapporter aux autres et de prendre des décisions. »

À la fin, les participants autrefois silencieux menaient des discussions, exprimaient leurs opinions et relevaient les défis avec assurance et clarté. Ils ont quitté le programme non seulement avec de nouvelles compétences, mais aussi avec une nouvelle vision d’eux-mêmes comme agents de changement et futurs leaders.

C’est là tout l’impact transformateur du Projet 302 – honorer l’héritage de la tragédie du vol ET-302 en dotant les jeunes des outils pour s’épanouir.

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Our Story

Founded by Canadian doctors in 1984 in response to the famine in Ethiopia, CPAR is a non-profit organization working to build stronger health systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, connecting Canadian doctors and other healthcare professionals, academics and assembled experts with health professionals, vulnerable communities, governments and diverse organizations in Ethiopia, Malawi and Tanzania.

As local health systems deal with poverty, disease, accidents, epidemics, challenged infrastructure and climate change, CPAR’s ‘made in Canada’ approach is helping to improve health system capacity and improve lives for thousands of families and their communities. Through our programming, CPAR supports the achievement of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development (link) through programming that:

•Improves health systems capacity