The first aim in the MoU is to promote follow-up in African countries of the Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol and the corresponding strategy for the African WHO region. Further aims are documentation of the alcohol situation in Africa, training of NGO leaders and government staff and technical support to policy development are other areas of priority. Furthermore, the MoU states that alcohol prevention strategies will be linked to key development challenges in Africa, eg. the prevention of HIV/AIDS, promotion of gender equality and removal of harmful gender roles and the eradication of poverty.
- It is critical to develop and implement more effective alcohol policies in many African countries, comments Morten Lønstad, Secretary General of FORUT (picture left). - This is underlined by the new 2010 figures for the Global Burden of Diseas. These figures suggest that alcohol is number one risk factor for death and disability in Southern Sub-Saharan Africa. In order to change this situation, international NGOs and inter-governmental institutions must collaborate in supporting policy development in Africa countries. > > > > Read More
