Latvijas Samariesu apvieniba (LSA), Latvia

The Samaritan Organisation in Latvia (LSA) was founded in September 1992 with the support of the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund in Bremen. From individual volunteer initiatives and distribution points for humanitarian relief goods the organisation has developed to become a stable and strong social relief organisation.

The Samaritan organisation in Latvia above all works in the fields of health welfare and social services. In addition, the LSA is one of the first organisations in Latvia which engages in First Aid training. The LSA has created a broad range of training offers in the field of nursing and offers home nurs-ing services. In cooperation with local authorities the organisation founded structural units in order to provide concrete services: A rehabilitation centre for children, who became victims of violence and for street children, a crisis centre for children and mothers, assisted living, accommodation for the homeless, social wards, etc. Since 1996 the LSA has also been working on an international level.

431 full-time and 10 voluntary employees contribute to the successful work of the Latvian Samaritan Organisation. 120 members support the organisation through their membership. The basis of the organisation is formed by 17 local federations.