Description of organisation

CHEERing is an ISO certified, Greek-registered NGO which has been dedicated to preventive and improved health in
refugee populations in Greece since 2018. CHEERing provides direct support in refugee camps; training for other NGOs;
and international student training in emergency management and frontline humanitarian support. CHEERing incorporates
beneficiary participation at all levels, hiring refugees into management and staff positions and enhancing their established
skills and background knowledge by providing additional training such as first aid certification, Greek language, and
integration.
Since inception, CHEERing has run weekly “Grow Clinics” for mothers and children, at Attika
area camps and shelters offering preventive care and referrals for more serious medical issues that have
been missed due to lack of access to health care among refugees.
The organization is directed by founders Anne Merewood, PhD, MPH, and Airinie Azhar, MPH. Dr Merewood has extensive
experience of leading preventive health programs and is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Boston University
Schools of Medicine and Public Health. Dr Merewood’s career has been in public health, research and evaluation, and she is a passionate football fan with experience in managing US-based international youth teams. Our Associate Directors, Farzana Hakimi and Feraydon Rahimi are both former refugees, reflecting our commitment to integration of the community served into all our work.