Mission East


Mission East is a Danish relief and development NGO that aims to help vulnerable people in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia and support local communities' capacity to organize and help themselves through activities ranging from emergency relief during disasters to long-term development aid. Many of the countries where Mission East has programmes are considered ‘fragile’ contexts, where Mission East works in the humanitarian-development nexus. The organization also focuses on the strengthening of  rights for marginalized groups, including women and people with disabilities, and their inclusion in society. Mission East implements projects both directly and together with local and international partners to strengthen the relevance, impact and sustainability of the programs. Mission East has offices in Afghanistan, Armenia, Iraq, Lebanon, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Syria and Tajikistan.
Mission East was founded in 1991 by Rene Hartzner and his son Dr. Kim Hartzner, who was managing director of the organization until July 2020.
Mission East is headquartered in Hellerup, Denmark and in Brussels, Belgium.

2021 New Managing Director

On January 1, 2021, Mission East welcomed a new managing director. Betina Gollander-Jensen comes from a position as international manager in Caritas Denmark and has a long career in the development and emergency aid. Betina Gollander-Jensen has a bachelor's degree in Danish from the University of Copenhagen and a master's degree in International Studies and Social Science from Roskilde University. She was seconded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to South Africa, Uganda and Sudan and by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a senior advisor to the Danish Embassy and to the Kenyan Ministry of Refugees.

2020 Restructuring

In early July 2020, Kim Hartzner chose to resign from his position as secretary general in order to instead assume a role as founder and fundraiser for the organization on a consulting basis.

Sectoral Expertise

Mission East focuses on:
  • Rural community development
  • Disaster Response
Core sectors of operation are:
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Category:Development charities based in Denmark