Our Story
Kirk Humanitarian is a family philanthropy whose mission is to accelerate the availability, access, uptake, and use of United Nations International Multiple Micronutrient Antenatal Preparation Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (UNIMMAP MMS) for women at risk of maternal malnutrition to create a healthier and more equitable world.
Our History
Spencer and Kristen Kirk established Kirk Humanitarian in 2002 because we believe every family should have the opportunity to see their children grow into healthy adults, regardless of where they live.
After consulting with global health experts about areas of greatest need, opportunity, and impact, we decided to focus on one impactful intervention: UNIMMAP MMS. These supplements are safe, affordable, and have a proven track record of positively impacting the health and well-being of pregnant women and their newborns.
UNIMMAP MMS, which contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals, has been the standard of care in high-income countries for many years, but less than 1 in 10 women in low- and middle-income countries have access to it. For the past 20 years, Kirk Humanitarian has addressed this inequity by purchasing high-quality, safe, and affordable UNIMMAP MMS prenatal supplements and donating them to qualified low- and middle-income country governments and NGOs at no cost.
Our Milestones
UNIMMAP MMS Product
Over two decades, our family foundation has purchased and donated enough UNIMMAP MMS prenatal supplements to reach 43 million pregnant women in more than 104 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). During this time, we issued forward purchase agreements to lower costs and increase manufacturing capacity to reach the benchmark price of $2.15 for a 180-count bottle, making it comparable to the cost of iron-folic acid supplements (IFA), the current standard of care for pregnant women in most LMICs. In 2021, we collaborated with our manufacturing partner to produce a halal-certified product for Muslim women.
Research & Advocacy
Kirk Humanitarian supports implementation research programs aimed at collecting valuable experiences and generating practical guidance for the introduction of MMS. With this research, we aim to understand and overcome barriers and facilitate the widespread adoption, acceptance, and adherence to MMS in LMICs. Our advocacy efforts aim to elevate awareness about the proven benefits of MMS in LMICs, support policy changes at both international and national levels, and establish a network of strategic partners to engage governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in adopting MMS.
Manufacturing & Supply
Kirk Humanitarian has played a pivotal role in expanding the number of manufacturers that can produce a global/regional supply of MMS. With partners, Kirk Humanitarian developed open-source expert consensus product specifications, a comprehensive set of guidelines that any manufacturer can use, free of charge, to make high-quality UNIMMAP MMS. Additionally, we funded a resource paper aimed at helping national health systems address supply-related challenges when transitioning from IFA to MMS.