Outreach Mongolia 2008/06/10
Several years after the first approach from Mongolia the International President Sven-Olov Carlsson and the Executive Director Esbjörn Hörnberg visited Ministries and NGOs in Mongolia in an effort to try and find networking partners in alcohol policy. The invitation came from the Ministry of Health and the trip took place in August together with Cees Goos, Senior Consultant of the WHO.
Mongolia is the same size as Spain, France and Germany combined but has a population of only 2,9 million people where about 40% are nomads and almost 40% live in the capital Ulan Bator. It is quite a poor country with harsh living conditions and climate. There are several institutions for drug and alcohol addicts but their conditions are quite poor. The government adopted a health policy in 2003 but it lacks in implementation. Even though people see the problem caused by alcohol they are not sure they need to address the alcohol use itself.
IOGT International has been asked to help out and facilitate methods to the organizations, both professionals and NGOs, who wish to improve the standard of work. The first year IOGT International will support the translation of material as well inviting partners to participate in events in the region in order to learn more and also meet other organisations in the network.
Jenny Gustafsson
IOGT International office
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