Facing Africa, a British charity dedicated to treating children and adults with facial deformity due to noma has returned to Addis Ababa for its 22nd mission.

Noma is a condition that results in severe facial disfigurement. It is caused by a gum infection that rapidly spreads into the cheeks and lips. It only occurs in malnourished people that have no access to medical care. Today it is only commonly seen in sub Saharan Africa.

In our team of 20, consisting of surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and members of the charity are working out of the Nordic Medical Centre in Addis and over the next two weeks will treat many patients from all over Ethiopia.

Facing Africa organises two missions a year to Ethiopia and undertakes up to 100 complex reconstructions a year.

You can find out more about the work of Facing Africa at www.facingafrica.org