Who we are
MAGNA operates internationally and provides assistance to children and their families in need, including victims of natural disasters, wars and conflicts. In the field, we have doctors, paramedics, as well as technical and other experts who provide humanitarian aid and treat children and their families.
Our principles
We are independent
Our decision to provide assistance is based on our assessment and needs, independent of political, economic or religious interests.
We try to freely assess needs, approach the population without restrictions and directly provide assistance. We base our activity on the need for free access to victims and full independence in our projects. We distribute our resources directly to ensure that they reach the majority of target groups of the population.
We are impartial
We treat and provide assistance to people as needed.
It does not matter what country they are from, what religion they profess or what their political affiliation is.
We do not accept any form of discrimination based on race, gender, ethnic origin, religion, nationality, belief or social class.
We prioritize those who are in the most serious and immediate danger.
We are transparent
MAGNA is committed to full and transparent access to its beneficiaries, partners and financial donors by providing access to information on the allocation and management of funds.
The organization undertakes to provide all the necessary tools to ensure proper management of its activities.
Conceptualization, implementation, management and evaluation of MAGNA programs always take place at a high level of professionalism. We use our experience to maximize efficiency and resources.
We speak about what we see
We document testimonies from the forgotten parts of the world in which we find ourselves and bring them to the public.
If we witness extreme violence against individuals or groups – we speak about it publicly. Our decision to do so is always guided only by our mission – to alleviate suffering, protect life and respect basic human rights.
First mission
In 2002, AIDS …. Cambodia. Thousands of people fell victim to the AIDS pandemic that hit the country and caused a huge loss of life. Parents who succumbed to the disease – it is reported that up to 250,000 people died of AIDS-related diseases during this period – were left with orphans, many of whom were infected at birth and died on the streets without any medical help.
Martin Bandžák and Denisa Augustínová became eyewitnesses of this tragedy. Pragmatically and with great commitment, they began to solve the situation and opened a facility for the treatment of infected children in the capital, Phnom Penh. They provided them with antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, which saved many lives. They called teams of medical professionals from Slovakia to the country, trained local doctors and involved them in the work. In a few months, MAGNA started treating its first patient and became one of the first organizations to start treating HIV/AIDS children.
How we are run
MAGNA was founded in Slovakia in 2001 and subsequently opened offices in various corners of the world as part of its global network.
The Slovak office of MAGNA is also the operational section and is in charge of organizing MAGNA humanitarian missions around the world. Other sections (Czech Republic, France and US) support the organization’s medical humanitarian operations through recruitment, fundraising, communication and awareness raising.