The Start of MEPO
MEPO was founded in 1997 in Innsbruck, Austria by Ensieh Edinger-Taheri, Dr.Mostafa Vaziri and a group of concerned and dedicated individuals with the goal of serving the needy people through the contributions of time, money, medicines and supplies made by caring, supportive people around the world.
Dr. Vaziri, a physician, then launched MEPO into action in June 1998 by establishing MEPO Nepal in Kathmandu, Nepal, and serving as coordinator and volunteer doctor.

MEPO in Nepal
MEPO Nepal became a registered non-governmental organization, and for the next two years served the people of Nepal through running a free clinic in Kathmandu, conducting free health camps in remote areas of Nepal, and providing assistance to numerous families and organizations around Nepal, such as orphanages, leprosy villages, etc. This work was made possible solely through the generous contributions of donors all over the world.

Despite the broad scope and reach of MEPO's work, it remained a small organization, having only one paid staff member in Nepal, plus Dr. Vaziri as full-time volunteer doctor. The local members of the MEPO Nepal Committee also served in a volunteer capacity. Other volunteers such as nurses, doctors and medical students also served for short times with MEPO periodically helping in health camps particularly, or in local clinics.

MEPO Goes Beyond Nepal
In June 2000, MEPO expanded operations on a short-term basis to Afghani refugees in Pakistan, and Afghanistan itself. Due to the great need there, MEPO began devoting some of its resources towards the people in those desperate situations, while maintaining operations in Nepal.

In December 2001, MEPO made the difficult decision to suspend its work in Nepal due to the deteriorating conditions and lack of safety caused by civil war. After numerous short trips to western Afghanistan during the spring of 2002, MEPO decided in August 2002 to relocate and concentrate its resources in Afghanistan. MEPO’s work in Kabul began in September 2002 with the establishment of a clinic and orphanage in the city, and work continues to this day.