2010-2020: It has already been 10 years since the REDAC (Study Network for Sickle Cell Disease in Central Africa) was born following its first congress held in Kinshasa in May 2010, following a reflection matured during the Congress in Brazil in 2009. The year 2020 was for us the opportunity to organize a joint international congress with REDAO in Accra, which was planned for July 2020, just after the World Congress of UNESCO (Global NSCD) planned for March 2020 in Paris.

Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has turned everything upside down: neither of its two major events will take place anymore; but time has not stopped: REDAC has indeed blown out its 10 candles!

Our commitment to our Association's motto, "Actions are better than good intentions," compels us to organize a workshop to celebrate this anniversary, despite the unfavorable weather and circumstances. Our significant interest in the fight against sickle cell disease in Africa justifies this choice and the workshop's theme: "Sickle Cell Disease in the Era of Covid-19."

This workshop will be organized both in person and virtually in order to ensure maximum exchange between partners from the South and the North.

The REDAC website has also recently been redesigned to better meet the expectations of its various members, partners, and friends. REDAC remains open to all forms of collaboration aimed at promoting quality healthcare in Africa and developing research where Africans are key players.

This pandemic, which we hope will end as soon as possible, will not be an obstacle to the desire to further develop links between African networks and a fruitful partnership with partners in the North.