MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: DKV Insurance, Intermón Oxfam, Fundacion Alli Causai to Provide Health Microinsurance in Ecuador

Intermón Oxfam, the Spanish partner of UK-based nonprofit Oxfam International, has partnered with DKV Insurance (DKV), a subsidiary of the Germany-based reinsurance company Munich Re, to provide microinsurance in the Tungurahua region of South Quito, Ecuador. Ecuadorian healthcare foundation Fundacion Alli Causai (FAC), which focuses on local rural health issues, is also participating [1].

DKV designed the microinsurance system for indigenous families and rural communities, whereby members are protected for USD 2 per month under a medical insurance policy linked with a hospital. FAC acts as a cooperative, pooling members’ payments to ensure that there is enough to cover the predicted costs. DKV also has sent a team of three insurance experts to “periodically ensure [the project’s] economic sufficiency and guarantee its sustainability.”

Mr Vinicio Villalba, director of Intermón Oxfam, said, “DKV has understood the focus on rights that Intermón Oxfam works with. It has demonstrated commitment to a ‘Southern’ country, helping poor people fight for their rights and achieve a quality of life and level of dignity that strengthens their roles as citizens.”

Financial details on FAC and the number of people served by the microinsurance program are not available.

By Nisha Koul, Research Associate

About Intermón Oxfam: Intermón Oxfam is a Spain-based charitable foundation and partner of Oxfam International, a UK-based nonprofit aiming to find solutions to world poverty and injustice. As of 2010, Intermón Oxfam has seven offices in Spain and 46 shops selling fairly traded goods. It has 16 offices in other countries and operations in 46 countries. Its primary activities include advocacy, research, capacity building and humanitarian assistance.

About Oxfam International: Oxfam International was established in 1995 as a confederation of 14 organizations working to reduce poverty. Oxfam’s name is derived from its founding member, the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief, which began operating in Britain in 1942 advocating for food supplies to be sent to women and children in Greece during the Second World War. Oxfam International has since grown into a network of member organizations serving 99 countries with disaster relief, advocacy and policy research and aiming to provide long-term solutions for poverty eradication. As of March 2010, Oxfam International reports GBP 2.4 million (USD 3.9 million) in assets.

Sources and Additional Resources:

[1] Guardian.co.uk story, June 2011, “Microinsurance and its role in healthcare”, http://www.guardian.co.uk/journalismcompetition/microinsurance-and-its-role-in-healthcare

MicroCapital.org story, February 8, 2011, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Liberty Mutual Offers Low-Cost Health Insurance in Colombia, Includes Payment Through Gas Company,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-liberty-mutual-offers-low-cost-health-insurance-in-colombia-includes-payment-through-gas-company-2/

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Intermón Oxfam, https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Intermon

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Oxfam International, https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Oxfam+International

Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/

Similar Posts: