Middle East Refugee Aid (MERA), a nonprofit and UNC student-run organization, was founded by UNC seniors Bilal Azzam and Tala Jazairi in 2022. The group’s mission is to reduce health disparities in refugee communities through literacy-based interventions. This year, MERA established a student organization on campus to leverage resources and make a positive impact. The group’s board includes Azzam, Jazairi, Salma Hakam (director of public health), Aabia Saeed, and Adam Sherif.
Recently, MERA was honored with the Robert E. Bryan Public Service Award from the Carolina Center for Public Service for exceptional engagement and service to the state of North Carolina. Hakam expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the group’s commitment to making a difference.
As director of medical aid at MERA, Azzam highlighted the importance of health literacy in all initiatives. After consulting with health professionals upon founding, MERA leaders learned that many refugee communities lack awareness of how to use available medical and dental supplies. To address this issue, MERA incorporates educational curricula on preventative health into refugee camps. By doing so, the group believes it can address healthcare challenges before they arise. MERA’s efforts extend both locally and globally as they promote equitable healthcare access for refugees everywhere.
