Regional meeting of malaria and vector control programme managers from HANMAT countries

A meeting of malaria and vector control programme managers from member countries of the Horn of Africa Network for Monitoring Antimalarial Treatment (HANMAT) was held in Djibouti City on 9–12 December 2024. It was organized by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean in collaboration with WHO headquarters and the WHO Regional Office for Africa. The meeting brought together delegates from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Yemen, as well as experts and international partners, to review progress and challenges in malaria control and elimination across the participating countries.

The objectives of the workshop were to:

1. review progress and challenges in malaria control and elimination across HANMAT countries;
2. develop country-specific plans for drug resistance monitoring, histidine-rich protein 2 and 3 (HRP2/3) gene deletion management and vector control strategies;
3. strengthen cross-border collaboration and data sharing;
4. explore the impact of climate change and invasive vectors on vector-borne disease (VBD) control efforts;
5. share updates on innovative tools and approaches, such as genetically modified mosquitoes (GMM).

Attending organizations included the Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Baylor University, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, International Organization for Migration, King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (University of London), Naval Medical