A new clinical research and response network for epidemic infections is to hold it's first kick-off meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The African coaLition for Epidemic Research, Response and Training (ALERRT) aims to reduce the health and socio-economic impact of disease outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa. 

The aim of this network is to build strong partnerships between all research sites running studies on epidemic-prone infectious diseases, so that they can work together and develop a sustainable platform for research, that can respond to future outbreaks.  

The training and capacity building effort to form the 'training by research' component can be found here.  We will seek to enhance and maintain the operational research capacity and quality of the network, by developing and implementing a tailored training and capacity development programme, and a ‘community of practice’. 

Leading African and European partner organisations are championing this initiative.  Ahead of the kick-off meeting, 10-11 March 2018, the partners have already established a network of centres and clinics.