Established in: 2000
Global presence: Worldwide

Cordaid was founded in The Hague. Its mission is to address structural poverty, provide medical aid, aid to the most disadvantaged, as well as emergency and refugee relief. Its foundation consisted of a merger of three Dutch Catholic development organizations: Memisa Medicus Mundi (created in 1925), Mensen in Nood (People in Need, created in 1914) and Lenten Campaign/Bilance.

The history of these organizations goes back to the beginning of the 20th century, providing relief to World War I refugees in the Netherlands and doing medical missionary work abroad. For decades these organizations provided health care, famine relief, shelter, and other forms of assistance in dozens of countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

In 2015, when forced migration, displacement, and conflict had become key drivers of global dynamics, Cordaid shifted its focus to conflict-affected and volatile countries and to addressing causes of fragility.

In January 2021, the Protestant organization ICCO joined forces with Cordaid, realizing the largest merger in the Dutch development sector to this day.

With ICCO, Cordaid expanded its scope and its fields of expertise, including climate resilient food systems and food security.