Burundi’s First Lady, Madam Angeline Ndayishimiye, has been recognised after Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza, the organisation she chairs, won the institutional category of the 2026 United Nations Population Award.
The United Nations presented the award at its headquarters in New York. It recognises the foundation’s work in healthcare capacity building, girls’ education and community health awareness across Burundi.
Its initiatives include campaigns that promote the prevention and early detection of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany and a long-standing partner of the First Lady’s office since 2020, congratulated the foundation on the award.
Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative, said the recognition reflected years of joint efforts to improve healthcare and well-being in Burundi.
She also expressed particular pride in the award because of the depth of the partnership.
The honour marks the second major UN recognition for Madam Ndayishimiye. In 2023, she won the individual category of the same award for her leadership on health and well-being issues in Burundi.
Merck Foundation Burundi partnership earns major UN recognition
The collaboration between Merck Foundation and the Burundian government brings together complementary roles.
As First Lady and Ambassador for Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” campaign, Madam Ndayishimiye has led advocacy efforts and worked with government ministries.
Her work includes identifying beneficiaries, supporting the reintegration of trained health professionals into the public health system and challenging stigma around issues such as child marriage, gender-based violence and infertility.
Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza has focused on putting programmes into action. One of its key initiatives is the “Educating Linda” girls’ education programme.
The programme provides annual scholarships to 40 high-achieving but disadvantaged Burundian schoolgirls. It also distributes school supplies and storybooks across the country.
Healthcare capacity building strengthens Burundi’s medical services
The partnership has delivered gains in medical training and healthcare capacity building.
Merck Foundation has funded 55 scholarships for Burundian doctors in underserved medical specialties.
It has also supported the training of Burundi’s first fertility specialists, embryologists and technicians.
That work helped pave the way for the country’s first public IVF centre.
The partners have extended similar training efforts to cancer care and diabetes care, helping Burundi build specialist skills within its own healthcare system.
Dr Kelej said the foundation’s approach focuses on developing local expertise rather than creating dependency.
The goal is to ensure trained specialists remain in their home health systems and continue serving their communities.
Girls’ education and community health awareness remain priorities
The work extends beyond medical training.
The partnership has used media campaigns, children’s storybooks, songs and community awareness drives to address sensitive social and health issues.
These initiatives support the First Lady’s advocacy work while bringing health information and social awareness to communities across Burundi.
The partnership continues to focus on healthcare capacity, girls’ education, women’s empowerment and wider social change.
Dr Kelej congratulated the foundation’s team and reaffirmed Merck Foundation’s commitment to expanding its partnership with Burundi and other countries across Africa.
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