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Global IBD and Crohn’s & Colitis Resources

International organisations that help people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis wherever they live, and where to start if your country doesn’t have its own page here.

Your country doesn’t have its own page here? Start here.

Contact your national patient association for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): IFCCA’s list of member associations gives contact details for one in each member country. If your country isn’t on the list, ask your IBD team or hospital whether there is a local patient group.
To understand Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, read What is IBD? or find help by topic. Both apply wherever you live.
Feeling very unwell? See when to get urgent help for when to contact a doctor the same day and when to call your local emergency number.
If you’re struggling to cope, Find A Helpline lists free crisis lines in many countries.

Global Organisations

International organisations working on Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, useful wherever you live.

International Federation of Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis Associations (IFCCA)

International federation of 51 national IBD patient associations Works worldwide

Patient Advocacy
Health Consumer Organisation
Educational Resources
Public Awareness

IFCCA brings together 51 national Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis patient associations. Based in Brussels, it was known as EFCCA (the European Federation) until June 2025, when it became an international federation. It works to raise awareness and improve life for people with IBD, including through the IFCCA Magazine and its IFCCA Academy education programmes. It coordinates World IBD Day on 19 May each year, with events in more than 50 countries. Learn more about IFCCA

For Health Professionals and Researchers

These organisations work mainly with doctors, nurses, dietitians and researchers. They are listed for completeness; if you live with IBD, the organisations above are usually the better place to start.

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World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO)

Global federation of more than 100 national member societies worldwide Works worldwide

Charity
Health Professional Body
Medical Research Organisation
Clinical Guidelines
Educational Resources
Research Updates

The World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) is a global federation of more than 100 national member societies working to improve digestive health worldwide by training healthcare providers. It develops and maintains the WGO Global Guidelines and Cascades (including guidance on IBD), which spell out best-practice care adapted to the resources each region actually has, and are translated into multiple languages. Learn more about WGO

501(c)(3) charity: IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (EIN 38-2887598)

International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IOIBD)

International research network spanning 6 continents Works worldwide

Medical Research Organisation
Research Updates
Clinical Guidelines

The International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IOIBD) is an international group of clinicians and scientists advancing IBD care, education and research through collaboration across borders. Its members work in task forces (epidemiology, clinical trials, pathobiology, surgery) and shape the shared definitions of IBD, along with the treatment targets and endpoints used in everyday practice and in clinical trials. Learn more about IOIBD