Press Release 15 September 2014

15 Sep 2014

Prevention of Disease and Disability is focus of annual NTD NGDO Network meeting

Network gathering to be held in Paris, September 24-25, 2014

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) affect the poorest, most neglected populations in the developing world. Those afflicted live in remote, rural areas, urban slums, or conflict zones where there is little money for medication and health care. One sixth of the world's population — more than one billion people — suffers from one or more NTD. These NTDs share a common strategy of community-based interventions that can be integrated to strengthen health care systems. The Neglected Tropical Disease NGDO Network (NNN) was established in October 2009 to create a global forum for nongovernmental development organizations (NGDOs) working to control onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, soil transmitted helminths, trachoma, and leprosy. NGDOS are a critical player in global health and are uniquely placed, given their field-based programmes and experience, to reach the world’s most underserved populations who suffer from NTDs. The NGDOs work independently and as a group to alleviate the suffering and poverty caused by these diseases. “The NNN provides a forum for NGDOs, donors, and governments of endemic countries to come together and share experiences and best practices. Over 70 organizations will be represented at this year’s meeting. Only by working together will we achieve the global targets established by the World Health Organization,” says Kim Koporc, chair of the NNN. More than 150 participants from the member organizations based around the globe will attend the meeting. Cross-cutting issues such as morbidity management and disability prevention and the importance of water, sanitation and hygiene in preventing neglected tropical diseases will be a focus of this year’s meeting. For additional information on the NTD NGDO Network or its annual meeting in Paris please contact Lisa Rotondo, NNN Vice-Chair, at lrotondo [at] rti [dot] org and visit http://ntdngdonetwork.org/. ### The 2014 NNN meeting is supported through the generosity of the following: Organisation pour la Prévention de la Cécité (OPC); Children Without Worms; The End Fund; The USAID-funded ENVISION project; International Trachoma Initiative; Mectizan Donation Program; RTI International; Sightsavers International; and Thea Foundation