HCRI Inaugural Lecture: John Borton - The 20 Year Life of Merlin 1993-2013

The 20 Year Life of Merlin 1993-2013: What does it tell us about the evolution of the humanitarian sector?

Medical Emergency Relief International, Merlin, was founded by three friends in 1993, as a UK humanitarian agency specialising in the provision of frontline health care in areas of conflict and natural disaster, and in strengthening national health systems in fragile states. From its establishment Merlin grew rapidly to become a significant actor in many international humanitarian operations including Rwanda, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone, Liberia, Pakistan, Haiti, Myanmar and Libya.

Merlin played an important role in developing responses to diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), Lassa Fever and malaria. It made a significant contribution to the evolution of the United Nations’ Cluster System for coordinating humanitarian operations, and to international policy on health care provision and approaches to health system strengthening in fragile states. In 2011 its annual income peaked at £69 million. But, from then on, the organisation experienced financial difficulties and in 2013 ‘joined forces’ with Save the Children and most of its programmes transitioned to Save the Children – a process that was completed in early 2015.

Drawing on his role as PI on the recently completed Merlin History Project, John Borton will provide an overview of Merlin’s life, its achievements and the factors contributing to its transition into Save the Children. He will conclude with a reflection on the critical changes that have taken place in the humanitarian sector over this 20 year period.

John will be joined in this lecture by Paula Sansom MBE (Deputy Health Director - Programmes at GOAL UK) and Jenny Chapman and Dr Eleanor Davey from HCRI.