AEGiS-IFRC: Ouagadougou Commitment for a better future for Africa

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Ouagadougou Commitment for a better future for Africa

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cresent Societies - 25 September 2000

A candle lighting ceremony to remember the millions of Africans who have died from HIV/AIDS and other diseases marked the closure of the 5th Pan African Conference in Ouagadougou on September 25. Representatives at the Conference lit the candles to form a cross and a crescent after formally signing the Ouagadougou Commitment, a declaration to act on issues of public health and food security.

The Commitment requires all African Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to implement a 10-year plan of action to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, malnutrition, vaccine preventable diseases and other illnesses, which will make a radical difference to the lives of people on the continent.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic was recognised as an "unprecedented humanitarian disaster" in Africa that is having a knock-on effect on the economic development of the continent. The signatories will be obliged to scale up dramatically the Red Cross and Red Crescent response to the crisis through prevention, care and support of HIV/AIDS sufferers and their families as well as advocating for affordable drugs.

"The world will only win the fight against AIDS if we act faster than the virus," said International Federation President, Astrid Heiberg in her closing speech. At the core of that action are a potential two million volunteers who can help people to change their behaviour through information, education and prevention. "They are key to the success of our plans because they can provide basic care and compassion, and it is because of that compassion that we obtain respect and are listened to," she added.

Food security, one of the two main themes of the conference was recognised as a strategic priority for the next decade with each African National Society developing its own approach to improving access to food. Participants agreed that "a right to food is a right to life," and in order to ensure that right, early warning systems were declared a necessity.

"The results of this conference are an inspiration and a challenge to us all," said Bekele Geleta, director of the Federation's Africa department. "I am sure that the collective determination of all those present will make a real impact on people's lives across the continent."

The conference, which ended with a colourful display by drummers, dancers and singers from Burkina Faso, will meet again in Algeria in four years time.
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