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On-Demand
GXC 2025 Online Virtual Conference - Mental Health Without Borders

Harm Reduction and Civil Society in the MENA Region: Policy, Practice, and Future Directions

Elias Aaraj 🇱🇧
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Description

This session explores the vital role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in advancing harm reduction, HIV/AIDS response, and human rights across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Despite ongoing challenges such as political instability, punitive drug laws, limited funding, stigma, and humanitarian crises, CSOs like MENAHRA continue to deliver life-saving services to people who use drugs (PWUD) and communities affected by HIV/AIDS. Participants will gain insight into how CSOs navigate restrictive policy environments, engage with decision-makers, and adapt their services during conflict, displacement, and public health emergencies. The session will highlight both successes and barriers—such as criminalization of drug use, gender disparities, service gaps for refugees and migrants, and the impact of international funding shifts on sustainability.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience, Elie Aaraj will share real-world examples from Lebanon and other MENA countries, focusing on community engagement, policy advocacy, capacity building, and regional collaboration. The session emphasizes MENAHRA’s mission to enhance the health and human rights of PWUD through advocacy, evidence-based practices, gender inclusion, and the empowerment of affected communities. Future strategies for sustainable harm reduction in the MENA region and beyond will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe harm reduction strategies currently implemented by civil society organizations in the MENA region.

  • Analyze how policy and legal frameworks impact access to HIV and drug-related services.

  • Identify key challenges and strengths within CSO-led harm reduction and HIV programming.

  • Evaluate future opportunities for advocacy, community empowerment, and evidence-based practices.

Educational Goal

This session aims to strengthen participants’ clinical understanding of harm reduction and integrated care models for people who use drugs and other vulnerable populations in the MENA region. Attendees will gain greater competence in applying evidence-based, biopsychosocial approaches that support improved patient outcomes, cultural responsiveness, and ethical practice in diverse clinical settings.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Nurse
  • Physician
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Elias Aaraj 🇱🇧
Founder and Former Director of the Association Soins Infirmiers et Développement Communautaire-SIDC, which was established in 1987. Elie Aaraj completed his Maitrise degree in Community Health at the St Joseph University, Lebanon after going on to complete BS Nursing at the Lebanese University in 1982. He worked in 2 hospitals in Lebanon, before becoming the Director of the Nurse-Aid Technical School at Hayek Hospital, Beirut. He is the Founding President of the Order of Nurses in Lebanon Council member of the Municipality of Sin El Fil for 2 terms (1998 & 2004) He is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Association-MENAHRA, a regional NGO working towards promoting and advocating for harm reduction within the MENA region. President of the Regional/Arab Network Against AIDS-RANAA (2008 – 2018). Mr. Aaraj has undertaken more than ten major pieces of research on HIV, drug use prevention and Harm Reduction and the role of civil society organizations. Mr. Aaraj is currently a member of the Developing Country NGO Delegation (DCNGO) at the Board of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and a member of the advisory board at the faculty of health sciences at Sagesse University. Holder of “Medaille Marcelle Hochar” Award (2005) from the Lebanese Red Cross Nursing Association, the National Rolleston Award (2011) from Harm Reduction International. The “Kim Mo IM” Award for policy innovation and Impact, International Council of Nursing (2019)

Financially Sponsored By

  • GXC Events - The Global Exchange Conference