Inside Rescue.co: The Game-Changing Emergency Response Network Saving Lives Across East Africa

In a region where emergency healthcare is often inaccessible, Rescue.co is rewriting the narrative.

Founded in 2016 by Caitlin Dolkart and Maria Rabinovich, the organization is revolutionizing emergency response in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—leveraging cutting-edge technology and a vast network of responders to bridge critical gaps in the healthcare system.

The Alarming Reality: Why Rescue.co’s Mission Matters

Each year in Kenya, more than 5,000 maternal deaths and 33,000 newborn fatalities occur, with over 200,000 mothers and infants in need of emergency care. Shockingly, only 3% of health facilities provide advanced maternity services, while 15% of annual births require urgent intervention.

With one-third of newborn deaths happening within the first 24 hours of life, often due to inadequate care for preterm babies or treatable infections, Rescue.co’s lifesaving emergency response system could prevent up to 75% of these deaths.

How Rescue.co is Disrupting Emergency Healthcare

At the heart of Rescue.co's innovation is Flare, a real-time emergency response platform that connects first responders—including ambulance drivers, security personnel, and pilots—through an intelligent dispatch system.

Rather than owning its own fleet, Rescue.co collaborates with over 1,000 first responders, including:

• 800+ ambulances (Medical Taxi, Basic Life Support, and Advanced Life Support)
• 70 aircraft for emergency evacuations across Africa
• Tow trucks and security teams for roadside emergencies

Operating 24/7, the organization’s dispatch centre is staffed with doctors, nurses, and paramedics, ensuring the right response is deployed in under 30 minutes in cities and within an hour in rural areas.

Beyond Medical Aid: Roadside & Air Rescue

Rescue.co extends its services beyond medical emergencies, offering:

1. Roadside Assistance & Security – Nationwide network of 130+ providers offering towing, fuel delivery, and tyre changes, plus security help for people in distress.
2. Air Evacuations – Rapid response for emergencies in remote locations like Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kenya, Maasai Mara, and Northern Kenya.

Whether it's a hypertensive patient on safari or a hiker suffering from altitude sickness, Rescue.co ensures swift medical evacuation to the nearest advanced facility.

Affordable Emergency Coverage for All

Rescue.co provides three affordable plans to ensure everyone can access life-saving help:

1. Annual Coverage – Individuals, families, and businesses from Ksh4,000 per year
2. Safe Travels Plan – 30-day coverage for tourists at Ksh3,900
3. Roadside Assistance – Annual vehicle coverage for Ksh7,500 per year

Scaling Impact: From Mamalink to Job Creation

Rescue.co’s Mamalink hotline—designed for pregnant women in Nairobi—has helped over 15,000 mothers and newborns by dispatching emergency transport at critical moments.

Their work has also fueled job creation, employing over 1,000 Kenyans and expanding revenue for local first responders, while forging partnerships with governments, donors, and private entities to scale their reach.

Need Help? Here’s How to Get Emergency Assistance with Rescue.co

1. Call 0711 911 911 or press the SOS button on their website.
2. Provide your name, location, and details of the emergency.
3. Follow expert instructions while waiting for responders.

Rescue.co is changing the future of emergency response in East Africa—one life at a time.