12.10.2022 - NordAN board sent today a letter to the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus and the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Kluge, expressing concern about the continued presence of World Health Organization’s (WHO) Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) office in Moscow, Russia, in the context of the war in Ukraine.
As a civil society partner of WHO Europe, NordAN believes it is critical that, in these extraordinary times, the central international organization promoting health for all people declare its position clearly and without the potential of being misrepresented.
"As a result of this unprovoked war and committed atrocities, Russia is currently subject to sanctions from a number of countries, including several WHO member states. By continuing to maintain its NCD office in Moscow and accepting funding from Russia, WHO is sending a message that it does not take the sanctions seriously and undermines international efforts to stop the aggressor," the letter states.
NordAN board consequently asks the WHO Europe to relocate the NCD office as soon as possible, which would align with the existing sanctions package. This action would send a strong message that the WHO does not condone violence and aggression, and that it is committed to promoting peace and stability and that Ukrainian lives matter.
It would also ensure that Putin's regime does not abuse the critical work that the NCD office undertakes on a daily basis in order to further its own interests through the use of health diplomacy.
Read the full LETTER
Nordic Alcohol and Drug Policy Network (NordAN) was formed in September 2000, as a network of non-governmental organizations committed to reducing the consumption of alcohol and other drugs, who backed an evidence-based alcohol and drug policies, and who did not receive funding from the commercial alcohol industry. Today NordAN has over 60 non-governmental, voluntary member organizations in all eight Nordic and Baltic countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden), all active in the field of alcohol and drugs.