According to the CIA World Factbook, bacterial diarrhea is a very high risk of death to citizens of Togo. Lack of clean drinking water, hygiene regimens, and adequate sanitation systems are all linked to the spread of diarrhea in Togo.

Giving the gift of clean water is equivalent to giving a child, a mother, even a family, a chance at life in rural villages of West Africa.

BCB is at work building solar powered water pumps in Koussougba and surrounding villages in Togo. Part of  BCB’s work includes educating women on proper hygiene methods that women can share with families and other villagers.

Bringing clean drinking water to a rural village in West Africa or elsewhere is not the answer to reducing mortality rates from water-borne diseases in developing countries.

Clean water projects must be supplemented by a comprehensive hygienic and sanitation framework that addresses underlying causes of infection.

Without a water source, farmers cannot grow food. Mothers cannot cook balanced meals for their families. And perhaps the worst casualty that results from a lack of clean drinking water is the lose of time.

Walking to the next village or to the local water well takes hours away from women who could otherwise invest their time in entrepreneurial ventures that generate income for the family.

Instead, women in rural villages that do not have a clean water source are forced to walk miles for water. Of course, treks for water outside of her local village are very dangerous for women.

Women are exposed to innumerable dangers, simply for the sake of retrieving water for their families. Sadly, the water that she fetches may still be infected with microorganisms that cause diarrhea and other water-borne diseases.

Investing in clean water for rural villages in Africa and beyond is an investment in public health, gender equality, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

Access to safe water touches upon every level of human existence. Training women on effective methods to prevent the spread of communicable and life-threatening diseases is also a fundamental element to ending poverty in Togo and other parts of West Africa.

For every $50 that BCB raises for clean water projects in Togo, the Segal Foundation will match that gift up to $10,000.

There are still seven days, 189 hours, 11, 340 minutes, 680, 400 seconds to help BCB raise as much money as possible to improve the lives of women, children, and families in Togo.

The positive outcomes from investments in water and women in Togo are immeasurable. It takes a village to raise a child. But it also takes a healthy mother, a clean water source, and a sustainable solution to raise a healthy child.

Will you help BCB raise $5,000 by Friday, April 15, 2011?

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According to a press release by the EPA, “ENLACE has established and implemented a land use and comprehensive development plan that works to improve social, economic, and environmental conditions for 8 communities in the Cano Martin Pen Special Planning District.”

Poverty has been a threat to environmental sustainability in San Juan since the early twentieth century. Mass migrations of individuals and families to San Juan resulted in settlements being erected in the mangroves along the canal.

The Cano Martin Pena is a 3.5 mile long canal located in the San Juan Bay (SJB). The San Juan Bay is part of the National Estuary Program of the EPA. The Cano Martin Pena is so important because it connects the San Juan Bay and the San Jose Lagoon.

Toxins, pollution, and sedimentation in the Cano Martin Pena would have grave implications for the SJB and the San Jose Lagoon. Instituting policies and effective plans to mitigate the adverse affects of urbanization and lack of infrastructural development in the canal is key to controlling for damages in the region.

ENLACE is working toward water quality improvement in the Cano Martin Pena in several ways. Firstly, ENLACE partnered with the SJB National Estuary to test water quality in the canal. They are also working with the Ponce School of Medicine to study epidemiological data on the effects of residents’ repeated exposure to water polluted by sewage.

In terms of the Cano Martin Pena, private and public entities must cooperate on an immediate action plan for change in the canal. Protecting human health and ensuring economic development by conserving the environment is integral to seeing a more sustainable Puerto Rico in the twenty-first century.

Environmental justice is unique. It is difficult to enforce and almost impossible to incriminate. Yet, environmental injustice arguably puts more people at health, social, and economic risks than other crimes with more temporary affects.

Until effective systems are in place to  punish those who obstruct environmental justice, rewards for those who uphold it are crucial to protecting natural resources.

With the work of ENLACE, lives of local residents and inhabitants affected by poor quality water in the Cano Martin Pena will be changed for the better. And isn’t it by saving lives that we save the world?

The photo above is a picture of La Fortaleza in San Juan Bay

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The War of the Pacific between Bolivia and Peru in the late 19^th century led to major geopolitical, diplomatic, and economic restructuring that still negatively affects the region today.

In the early 1880s, Chile annexed the Peruvian province of Tarapacá and the Bolivian province of Litoral, both substantially mineral-rich territories. Bolivia was stripped of coastal access to the Pacific Ocean and became a landlocked country.

Since the 1884 Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Chile, Bolivian politicians including President Evo Morales, have consistently sought to reclaim access to the Pacific coastline in order to promote economic development and increase Bolivia’s international trade.

Recently, recovering maritime rights in Bolivia has made some headway. Last October, Peru granted La Paz, the capital city of Bolivia, access to a three-mile long strip of land, south of Peru’s Port of Ilo and 100 miles north of Tacna, a Peruvian city close to the northern Chilean border.

The agreement, called the Boliviamar secures a 99-year lease of the Port of Ilo and for a free-trade zone, which includes exemptions in the areas of customs duties, taxes, and labor law for Bolivia.

Bolivian President Evo Morales insisted this pact was an opportunity to open the intercontinental door to Bolivians. “The sea is for world trade, the sea is so that the products of our peoples can circulate and have access to these ports.”

The Boliviamar also requires construction of 245 miles of highway to connect Bolivia with the port facilities in southern Peru. According to Viviana Caro, the Bolivian Minister for Planning and Development, this will reduce goods transport from Bolivia into important Asian markets by some 40 per cent.

The Bolivian government also intends to invest $400 million in the development of the Port of Ilo to facilitate the import and export of goods, and to promote tourism.

Bolivia’s free access to its own international port is more than a mere diplomatic break-through. It represents a unique opportunity to boost Bolivia’s economy in several ways. Increased exports in Bolivian goods will generate more revenue for the country and strengthen its competitiveness on the global market.

Sustaining Bolivia’s economic development at a local and international level requires the cultivation of the country’s natural resources, including oil, gas, and other minerals. Trading these goods with neighboring countries and other entities will revolutionize marine trade in the region.

Providing marine access to Bolivia and developing its marine trade will promote economic growth and decrease rates of poverty by providing new employment opportunities for local residents. Marine trade will ultimately generate income for local artisans, farmers, and other small business owners who depend on mercantile trade for survival.

President Evo Morales stated, “Ninety-nine years, that gives us confidence to make significant investments in the Port of Ilo,” as the country seeks to encourage private companies to financially support that effort.”

By reducing duty payments to Chile, increasing exports, developing the tourism industry, and creating new jobs for Bolivians, coastal access will dramatically improve the lives of Bolivians and the economy of Bolivia.

Submitted by Guest Writer: Alice Jobard

The photo above is a picture of the Port of Ilo in Peru, taken by Bruno Moretti

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According to looktothestars.org, the single is part of Knowles’ commitment to bring reliable clean water resources to communities in Uganda, Cameroon, and Rwanda.”Water is a necessity, it’s not a privilege,” said Knowles.

In partnership with the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation’s Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN), proceeds from Kenya will provide clean drinking water, hygiene, and sanitation to communities where clean water is the difference between life and death.

Find Kenya at the Music for RAIN website. The single is available via donate to download, so the sky is the limit in terms of donations. The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation aims to raise approximately $10,000 for the Music for RAIN project, but Knowles supporters and water advocates can surely surpass this modest milestone.

Water is life for the body. Music is life for the soul. You might not be able to dig a well in Cameroon. But, you can always assist those who can. Download Kenya and donate to the Music for Rain project.

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FACE Africa is an organization that works specifically to bring clean water and improve sanitation in Liberia. In a previous article published on 16 February 2011, WaterWideWeb discussed the impact of the Liberian Civil War on water infrastructure and the post-conflict climate of the country.

In Hydropower to Empower Rural Village in Liberia, WaterWideWeb interviewed Kristin Stroup, energy specialist at the World Bank. Stroup detailed the impact that water, specifically with respect to hydroelectric projects, could improve the post conflict situation in Liberia.

As celebrities walk a different sort of red carpet, they will raise awareness about the significance of water in improving the lives of Liberians. Liberian lives are still severely compromised by years of terror and infrastructural damage by rebel forces.

In Liberia, a civil war destroyed major infrastructure systems that provided clean water, sanitation, and other amenities to local villages. Now, mortality rates from water-borne diseases are soaring.

Celebrities such as Mutombo, Port, and Samuelson are making an impact on the movement to rebuild Liberia. In so doing, lives that are lost from preventable water-borne diseases in Liberia can now be secured.

Healing the wounds from years of war and violence in Liberia will take a concerted effort by local governments and NGOs. But, water is an indisputable facet of this effort of restoring Liberia and protecting its civilians.

Celebrities are stepping up the plate for the FACE Gala and combating infrastructural inequities that threaten to cripple a country. Now that’s something worth walking the red carpet for.

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Lack of infrastructural development and a water quality monitoring system pose a security threat to the region. Outbreaks of water-borne disease in rural areas could potentially devastate the two countries.

The Environment Security Initiative (ENVSEC), in partnership with the NATO Science for Peace and Security Program (SPS), has implemented a project to establish a water quality management system for both countries.

In an interview with WaterWideWeb, Dilorom Fayzieva, a partner with ENVSEC and SPS, discussed the purpose and progress of the microbiological monitoring project in Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. Please read the complete interview below.

EAB: How was quality of drinking water in the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan identified as a security issue that ENVSEC Initiative in partnership with NATO Science for Peace and Security Program could address?

DF: Microbiological quality of water is an important issue for the entire Central Asian Region, including Uzbekistan and Kyrgyz Republic. There are high risks of the spread of water-borne infections such as typhoid fever, bacterial dysentery and other types of diarrheal diseases in rural areas. These risks exist because access to the piped centralized drinking water sources in rural areas is approximately 50 to 60 percent on average for the whole region. Prevention of water-borne infection outbreaks amongst the population is attributed to the security issue. It is impossible to prevent any outbreaks of water-borne diseases without the creation of an adequate monitoring system, including organization of routine analysis of bacteriological parameters of water indicating water quality from the microbiological perspective.

EAB: What were some of the contaminants in the water supply prior to the project and what effects did they have on the local community?

DF: An increasing number of coli-form bacteria and fecal streptococci in different water sources used by the population create high risks of water-borne diseases in the local communities. These facts were revealed by the recent studies carried out in the Central Asian region by the various researchers like Semenza in Karakalpakstan in 1998 (USA), Herbst in Khorezm in 2002-2004 (Germany), D. Fayzieva and I.Usmanov in the western regions of Uzbekistan in the period of 2000-2010, and others. The high concerns of water-borne diseases are reflected in the regular national reports of the Ministries of Health Care of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. Improving the monitoring system on microbiological quality of water and ensuring that it was on par with international standards were identified as one of the key priorities of the Environmental Health Action Plans of those countries.

EAB: Are you working with any government or other entity to negotiate technology transfer and capacity building between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyz Republic?

DF: We are collaborating in order of negotiation, of technology transfer, and capacity building for improving of the quality of water analysis on bacteriological indicators between France, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyz Republic. Main partners in this issue are the Institute of Water Problems of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences and the Scientific Production Center of Preventive Medicine of the Health Ministry of the Kyrgyz Republic. End users of this project are the Republican Center for Sanitary-Epidemiological Surveillance of the Health Ministry of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Bishkek City Center for Sanitary-Epidemiological Surveillance of the Health Ministry of the Kyrgyz Republic. Water bacteriology laboratories of these organizations are equipped by modern type of basic equipment and first stage of the trainings took place at IPL, France within this project.

EAB: Please describe how drinking standards were brought up to international standards?

DF: The main purpose of the project is to improve of quality of water analysis through an international quality assurance system and to establish the same system in the national laboratories of those countries. For achieving of this purpose we are planning to create advanced reference laboratories on water bacteriology by equipping them and training of their personnel.

EAB: If you project did not take place, what would the negative outcome on the Uzbekistan and Kyrgyz Republic would there be?

DF: In the absence of quality assurance system, it is impossible to get accurate and reliable data on prevention of outbreaks cannot occur. Finally, it creates high risk of these infections among population and worsening of sanitary-epidemiological conditions by increasing the mortality rates from water-borne diseases.

EAB: Please discuss the short and long term positive outcome of your project.

DF: A short-term outcome is the creation of the reference laboratories on water bacteriology by equipping them and training national personnel on the international water quality standards. Long term outcomes include sharing the project experience throughout other countries of Central Asian region.

EAB: Thank you for interviewing with WaterWideWeb.

DF: You’re welcome.

In a country like Uzbekistan, where a majority of revenue is generated by agricultural production, ensuring a safe water supply serves to secure the economic system as well. Decreasing rates of poverty and decreasing rates of mortality from water-borne diseases allow these countries to develop beyond a stunted period of economic growth and development.

Threats of the spread of water-borne disease and high mortality rates from them are often associated with countries in Africa and Southeast Asia. In fact, similar problems exist in Central Asia. The struggle to update the international standards on water supply is an endeavor that the entire world faces.

Countries in Central Asia and Eastern Europe struggle from the adverse affects of poor water quality because historically, these countries did not have in place the technology and capacity to develop and manage water quality. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 left a region of independent countries that, while not subject to land borders with neighboring lands, still had to manage issues of ensuring peace and security in the region, beginning with the provision of clean drinking water. sharing this themes.

The photo above is a picture of water in Kyrgyzstan

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Kristin Stroup, energy specialist in the Africa Energy Department of the World Bank, told WaterWideWeb, “The 35 kilowatt micro-hydropower plant in Yandohun was built in the 1970’s. During its few years of operation, it contributed significantly to the local community, and facilitated operation of a 24-hour health-care facility there that served many surrounding communities.”

Yandohun is a village of 2,000 people in the remote area of Lofa County in northwestern Liberia. The micro-hydropower plant that generated power for the community was in part constructed and operated by local residents. The micro-hydropower plant was the sole source of reliable energy for the community since Yandohun is outside of the electrical grid of the capital city of Monrovia.

With financing from the Dutch Trustfund under its AFREA program,  the World Bank is launching a rehabilitation project for Yandohun’s micro-hydropower plant. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2012.

“Rehabilitation of the plant at 60 kilowatts will allow for meeting basic needs and will also allow for improved educational facilities, including adult education which is extremely important in the post-conflict setting,” continued Stroup.

In Yandohun, the capacity to manage an improved micro-hydropower facility already exists since community members who operated the first hydropower plant still live there. Thus, the World Bank is investing in the community’s existing skill sets while implementing a low-cost renewable energy approach. “The community has a very strong organizational structure and cooperative approach, including rebuilding the town hall with pooled funds and labor,” noted Stroup.

Agricultural production is significant to the local economy of Yanhodun. Rice farming, milling, cultivation of coffee and cocoa are all part of the agricultural output of the area. Mechanized processes powered by the future micro-hydropower facility have the potential to increase revenues generated by the sale of agricultural products by local farmers.

World Bank funding for the energy plant includes hands-on training for additional local community members who will learn to manage and operate the facility. Engaging local residents in the development process and use of local natural resources empowers the community.  Dependability on foreign assistance for medium and long-term progress is diminished, which is especially crucial to post-conflict settings as well.

“The micro-hydropower plant rehabilitation project at Yandohun is part of the World Bank’s commitment to the expansion of energy access in rural areas and an emphasis on renewable, sustainable technologies as part of a least-cost expansion plan,” Stroup added.  

The pilot operation in Yandohun offers a prime example of how an investment in a renewable energy source can truly revitalize a community that was once destroyed by war. Before encounters with rebel troops, Yandohun had operational educational facilities, a health facility, and a thriving fish farm.

Decreasing rates of poverty, improving access to healthcare, and promoting childhood and adult education is implicated in the successful rehabilitation of Yandohun’s hydropower facility. Solutions to Liberia’s systemic post-conflict issues should be cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.

Technology transfer and capacity building in rural communities that are not in close proximity to the capital city of Monrovia are crucial to including all levels of Liberia’s population in the energy plan. “Using hydropower for the benefit of communities should facilitate the sustainable development of a key piece of Liberia’s rural electrification agenda,” concluded Stroup.

The photo above is of school children in Liberia. It is a UN Photo taken by John Issac.

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The Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC) launched a project from 2008 into late 2010, for the Upper Pripyat. The end goal of ENVSEC’s project in the Pripyat River was to establish an “environmentally safe, ecologically viable, and mutually acceptable allocation of water,” between Belarus and Ukraine.

Nickolai Denisov, in the lead as ENVSEC Regional Desk Officer of the Pripyat River Project told WaterWideWeb, “During the Soviet Union, the Pripyat River Basin was managed by a Belarusian organization. There were administrative borders but not state borders between Belarus and Ukraine then. After the Soviet Union broke up, it became difficult for Belarusian organizations to manage water infrastructure on the Ukrainian side of the river.”

Historically, Ukraine did not have the resources or the capacity to maintenance water infrastructure that affected water flow in the Pripyat River. Belarus had the tools to upkeep water infrastructure but crossing into Ukraine was difficult.

Tools and procedures to manage water resources between Belarus and Ukraine, and all of the states of the Soviet Union for that matter, were non-existent. Thus, countries had to navigate a complex web of environmental and politically charged issues that they were previously immune to.

The Pripyat River flows into the Dnieper Canal. Thus, water level oversight is of utmost importance to both countries for safety and security reasons. A number of ecosystems including lakes and wetlands rely on the flow and water level of the Pripyat River for survival.

Careful monitoring of the river’s flows, especially during times of low water levels and floods, ensures an environmentally sustainable river system and timely flood warning sent to the country of Belarus when the river’s waters begin to rise.

 The capability component of the Pripyat River was developed under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)’s Science for Peace and Security Programme. It is the start of setting up a flood warning system between the countries.” Belarus and Ukraine did not have dialogue, nor did they reach a viable solution to address flood warnings in the Pripyat River prior to NATO’s efforts.

Monitoring the river’s water levels during flood seasons was not timely enough for Belarus to be equipped and ready to respond to floods. NATO is helping to install scaling stations that measure the river’s water levels accurately. This tool will help the two countries to share information about flood potentials and some capacities to respond to these occurrences will improve. According to Dr Alexei Iarochevit, Ukrainian Co-Director of the project, the first station has been installed and inaugurated in Lutsk, Ukraine, in February 2011.”

“The whole point of this process was not just infrastructure. The issue of setting a formal set of rules that could further negotiations between the countries had to be discussed,” continued Denisov. Threats to public health, agricultural production, or economic development are not primary concerns with respect to the Pripyat River Basin. “A coordinated regime to address the issue of resource management needed to occur.”

The Upper Pripyat River is fairly clean.  The impact on the Upper Pripyat due to the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident in 1986 was relatively moderate. “The bottleneck issue between Belarus and Ukraine was the absence of agreed proceedings for updating infrastructure. Now, that bottleneck is removed and the countries can move forward with negotiations,” assured Denisov.

Reaching a solid foundation for negotiations in the Pripyat River Basin is a primary step in stabilizing natural resource management in a region that has struggled with this issue since the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Water infrastructure and maintenance has major implications on a regions ability to develop economically and to advance technologically. Coordinating efforts between the countries with respect to the Pripyat River removes a hindrance to progress between Belarus and Ukraine.

Water and security concerns vary depending on a region of the world, and the unique history of countries involved in negotiation. Mortality rates from water-borne diseases may not be high, nor is agricultural output suffering due to inadequate water supply for irrigated farming. But, traces of stalled development and impending financial consequences due to faulty water infrastructure were evident in Belarus and Ukraine.

Responding to shared stewardship of water resources promotes peace and increased dialogue between transboundary countries. Long-term effects of NATO and ENVSEC’s work in the Pripyat River are not yet quantifiable, but are certainly promising in a region where transboundary river management was once an outstanding issue.

Photo Credit: Nickolai Denisov & ENVSEC

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Unfortunately, information on cholera cases in Haiti’s rural villages is unknown and the number of lives affected by cholera could be far greater than what the international community is currently aware of.

Reports indicate that the number of new cholera cases has dropped to 4,000 per week as compared to 12,000 new cases per week in November 2010. Measures to care for cholera patients, such as delivering oral rehydration treatments, are preventing fatalities for Haitians. But, these short-term treatments are not a sustainable solution to the cholera epidemic.

Haiti’s rainy season is around the bed and proper infrastructure, including latrines and water treatment plans, have not been implemented to protect the country against another surge in cholera. The rainy season will send the bacteria through rivers and streams that could re-infect people who have already been treated for the disease.

The cholera epidemic has gripped Haitians in a culture of fear with regard to water. Wesley Laine, Program Manager of International Action (IA) told WaterWideWeb, “There’s a lot of fear when it comes to water in Haiti right now.” Laine was born in Haiti and just returned to the United States from a two week trip to Haiti.

Haitians are so afraid of cholera that they are drinking soda or going thirsty due to fear of the cholera bacteria in the water, explained Laine.

There is no shortage of well-intentioned organizations eager to deliver aid to communities suffering at the hands of cholera and other systemic inequities that are hindering progress in the country. But, delivering aid and supplies is not the same as implementing a long-term strategy to rebuild a country crippled by poor infrastructural development, amputees from the January 2010 earthquake, politically tense times, and the cholera epidemic.The country needs more than a shipment of water bottles, water packets, and chlorinator installments shipped in by aid groups. “Now, folks are fed up with NGOs. They want a sustainable solution instead of relying on foreign-aid groups that perpetuate dependency,” continued Laine. “Haitians are saying, ‘Don’t take our faucets. Fix our water’,” concluded Laine.

The American Red Cross launched response efforts to the cholera epidemic in Haiti since October 2010. Abi Weaver, Senior Communications Officer of the American Red Cross Delegation-Haiti told WaterWideWeb, “As of 12 January 2010, the American Red Cross has spent more than $4.5 million so far on the cholera response, and we plan to spend millions more.” Funds from the American Red Cross are spent on necessary supplies such as chlorine tablets, soap, and oral rehydration solutions.

Although aid organizations , such as IA and ARC are investing money, man power, and resources into a full throttle relief campaign, these efforts will have a relatively temporary impact on the overall condition of Haitians.

Unless the Haitian government takes action to provide a framework to make greatest use of these reactive, not proactive approaches, dollars spent in aid relief are essentially funneled into a permanent cycle of disaster relief. None of that money will be spent on a viable project that truly services the Haitian people, who are in limbo from two natural disasters. Rebuilding Haiti requires a strong governmental leadership to make headway into the future.

The only proactive approach to truly serving Haitians is constructing wastewater treatment facilities that are separate from facilities providing water for human consumption. Unless these projects are constructed in a timely manner, Haiti will remain a Republic of NGOs, a place where Haitians are constantly looking for a hand up but are always given a hand out.

 The Direction Nationale de l’Eau Potable et de Assainissement (DINEPA) is the organization currently operating in Haiti to manage water related issues. After Haiti’s January 2010 earthquake, DINEPA worked on securing clean water resources for Haitians. Organizations, including IA, are collaborating with DINEPA in delivering clean water supplies to Haitians.

The cholera epidemic in Haiti temporarily subsided, but experts are not promising that the epidemic has been completely warded off. With cases in the rural villages of the south and other remote areas unaccounted for, the cholera epidemic could still be spreading at incalculable rates.

Immediate aid to disease outbreaks is important in times like the cholera epidemic in Haiti. However, these aid efforts need to be balanced with a plan for municipal water providers, international standard establishment, and a nationally controlled water plan that will remove Haiti from perpetual disaster response.

It is time for Haiti to be led out of the gripping culture of fear that leave citizens afraid to even take a sip of water. Organizations have endless well intentioned plans to help, but the road to unsustainable use and lack of infrastructural development is paved with good intentions. Now it is time for the government to take solid action that can be supported by both private and international actors. It’s time to truly help Haiti…sustainably.

The photo above was provided by International Action

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The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is working in Tanzania through one of its University Twinning Networks (UNITWIN) to enhance socio-economic development in the field of marine resources.

The UNITWIN program is designed to cultivate scientific inquiry and advance knowledge in academic disciplines. In 2009, the UNITWIN Cooperation Program in Marine Biology and Sustainable Development for East Africa was established at the University of Dar Es-Salaam in the Republic of Tanzania, in collaboration with the Bangor University of Wales, United Kingdom.

Dr. Ntahondi Nyandui, Associate Director of IMS told WaterWideWeb, “Tanzania needs to promote the sustainable use of these resources.” Over the past two years, the IMS has worked in Tanzania to promote a sustainable agenda for marine resources. Please read the complete interview with Nyandui below.

EAB: What are some of the most immediate threats to marine biology and sustainable development in East Africa?

NN: Marine and coastal ecosystems are degrading due to unsustainable use, pollution, and effects of global climate change. Degradation of these marine and coastal ecosystems risks loss in livelihoods and a rise in poverty. Unsustainable exploitation of marine and coastal resources is threatening biodiversity. Poverty in the region hinders sustainable use of marine and coastal resources.

EAB: How does UNESCO and most specifically the UNITWIN Cooperation Program in Marine Biology and Sustainable Development  aim to mitigate adverse effects from those threats?

NN: We’re focusing on capacity building for Tanzanians. Obtaining quality scientific information and developing skills would contribute to better management of coastal resources and the marine environment.

EAB: Please detail the capacity building practices that you hope to implement in Tanzania.

NN: Training marine scientists at the postgraduate level with required skills. IMS will be assisted in improving the delivery of existing MSc courses, the development of a new MSc in marine environmental science and climate change, the development of decision support tools for management of marine and coastal resources and environment, and the development of products and outreach services for public use.

EAB: Can you describe how the program will achieve its objective specifically in reference to cultural and societal development of communities sharing the coast?

NN: We already have other programs and projects that deal with outreach and community services. For the current project, research for some of the post-graduate students will touch on issues of societal development.

EAB: What marine resources are unique to this area and why is preserving them a top agenda item for UNESCO?

NN: Coral reefs, sea grass beds, and mangroves are high in biodiversity and productivity in this area. These resources attract fisheries which is vitally important to coastal livelihood in Tanzania. Generating revenue for the coastal communities of Tanzania is largely contingent upon the condition of marine coastal resources.

EAB: Have you established the “Regional Pole of Excellence in Marine Sciences and Technology” yet? If so, please describe it here.

NN: The goal is to build the IMS into a center of excellence in marine sciences in East Africa. The IMS is expected to become unique in the region. Already, its capacity to provide postgraduate training in marine sciences and to undertake quality research has established the IMS as a viable center of study.

EAB: What Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is this project helping to achieve?

NN: The project works on several MDGs including environmental sustainability, alleviating poverty and hunger, promoting gender equality in higher education, and global partnerships in information sharing, training for development.

EAB: Thank you for your time interviewing with WaterWideWeb.org.

NN: You’re welcome.

 Advancing the academic study of marine coastal environments in Tanzania will supports members of the local community to effectively engage policy makers in decisions about marine conservation. The erosion of marine environments has immediate ramifications for residents of the area. Lobbying for national policy on marine conservation is possible if policy makers are presented with timely and quantifiable data about marine coastal environments.

Establishing a center of information that can assess marine sustainability in Tanzania is the first step to restoring compromised marine environments along the coast of East Africa. Statistics and analytic data will provide the information necessary for implementing effective conservation strategies in the region.

The photo above is a UN Photo taken by Milton Grant.

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