The Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Association (MENAHRA) was established as a legal regional organization in Beirut in May 2009, under the registration number 400.
The aims and objectives of MENAHRA include the following:
- To establish a forum for the exchange and the dissemination of information and experience on harm reduction
- To be a representative of the stakeholders on harm reduction in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and internationally
- To advocate for harm reduction in the MENA region
- To encourage harmony in the vision and goals of harm reduction in terms of approaches and strategies in the MENA region
- To strengthen the collaboration and mutual support between stakeholders in the MENA region
- To link with national, regional and international associations and other networks on harm reduction
- To support capacity building and technical assistance in harm reduction
- To strengthen civil society organizations in relation to promoting and delivering harm reduction interventions
MENAHRA is made up of four components – including three Knowledge Hubs situated respectively in Iran, Lebanon and Morocco, and a Network responsible for establishing links between professionals and activists working in the field. Soins Infirmiers et Developpment Communautaire (SIDC) in Lebanon is the hosting institution of MENAHRA and the home of the Network Interim Secretariat.
The Knowledge Hubs and the Network cover 22 countries from the MENA region, and also link with international networks and global partners on harm reduction.
Conference Rationale
MENAHRA is organizing the First Regional Conference on Harm Reduction in November 2009, in order to present the strategies of harm reduction for the region, discuss them, and advocate for their implementation. The Conference is anticipated to attract around 300 professionals and academics engaged in, or interested in adopting, harm reduction strategies.
Conference Goal:
To advocate and promote harm reduction in the countries of the MENA region and to foster networking between civil society organizations working in the field and other stakeholders
Conference Objectives:
- To exchange information and to share experiences and research on drug-related harms (such as HIV) and IDU between experts and civil society representatives from the region
- To update the participants on the latest evidence-based harm reduction programs in the world
- To advocate for a higher political commitment from stakeholders in the region
- To encourage the documentation of successful experiences in harm reduction, for further use in advocacy and experience sharing
- To promote, scale-up and to expand the MENAHRA Network activities
Conference Timing:
The length of the conference will be three days – from November 16th to November 18th 2009
Conference Venue:
The conference will be held in the Metropolitan Palace Hotel - a 5-star hotel located in Sin El Fil in Lebanon. The hotel is 15 minutes from the airport and downtown Beirut. In addition, the nearby Habtoor Grand Hotel is a ‘sister’ hotel that provides a large number of additional meeting rooms, a shopping mall, a spa and accommodation for delegates. Alternatively, delegates can also book accommodation at the PADOVA Hotel - a 4-star hotel that provides a free wireless service.
Conference Participants:
The conference is expected to attract around 300 delegates, including:
- Associations, institutions, networks and individuals involved in or seeking to implement harm reduction within the MENA Region
- Regional UN offices and other official authorities working on harm reduction, HIV/AIDS, and drugs
- Representatives from international organizations, networks and associations engaged in harm reduction
- Governmental, non governmental and private sector stakeholders.