The French Red Cross Society (the CRF) and the French Development Agency (the AFD) have announced the signing of a five-year partnership agreement. The aim is to bring together their expertise in assisting developing countries - particularly in the field of health.

It is a step that is very much of the moment. The two organisations have in fact decided to try to combat the "brain drain" that is proving a serious disruption to the health systems of the world’s poorest countries -primarily in Africa.

Their undertaking seems to be a direct response to the appeal recently made by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development to take action against the exodus of healthcare professionals from these countries.

The CRF and the AFD have decided to "train the national medical staff (of the countries in need), to protect them financially so as to stop them leaving their country, to support them technically and provide them with continuing training".

The two organisations have also reached agreement on helping developing countries in their reconstruction efforts following natural disasters.

D/Destinationsanté