MIAN is an organization of enthusiastic volunteers who work on the basis of a mission. That mission is: As an organization of volunteers we provide professional advice on organizing solidarity in containing and insuring risks. We work on behalf of the most vulnerable people in society, in particular those in developing countries. We operate on the basis of reciprocity and from a co-operative point of view. Our advice focuses on local needs and fits in with the local culture and structure. This mission is fulfilled by making use of the knowledge and experience of professionals, either on-site or from the Netherlands. MIAN never operates independently. Usually, we join in with existing activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the countries themselves, which in turn are supported by Dutch financiers of development projects. The introduction of micro-insurance almost always takes place after the target group has become accustomed to micro-finance. There is not much point in talking about insurance if the people have not yet heard of savings and loans.