HUMAN ACCESS has participated with a delegation consisting of Dr. Zakir Al-Yousifi and Dr. Esameldin Awad in the 14th annual Neglected Tropical Diseases NGO Network (NNN) Conference, which was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 19 – 21 September 2023.

Since 2009, HUMAN ACCESS has regularly participated in the conference as a founding member.

As part of the conference, HUMAN ACCESS delegation at the meeting of the Oncho (NGDO) Group made a presentation about the program to eradicate onchocerciasis from Yemen, the program’s accomplishments during the past phase, current challenges resulting from the conflict in Yemen, and recommendations that the program deems appropriate to address and overcome these challenges.

As HUMAN ACCESS' presentation was commented on by both the group leader, Dr. Francesca, and Ms. Lindsay Rikers, the Carter Center's representative, it was recommended that Yemen be supported in eliminating onchocerciasis.

A group of donors will be contacted to help fund the preparation of an epidemiological mapping of the disease and the conduct of epidemiological and entomological surveys.

On the sidelines of the conference, the association’s delegation held meetings with a number of conference members, including representatives of international organizations, NGOs, the presidency of the conference, as well as the presidency of the Oncho group.

The association’s delegation also participated in the regional meeting for Africa.

It is noteworthy that HUMAN ACCESS has been invited to participate in the next NGDO meeting in Senegal on 1 and 2 November 2023.