Selection pour Sources Nouvelles No. 64 14.4.08
Informations générales (max 3)
- World Water Day: walking and talking for water most popular 2008 events
- Human rights: the Netherlands officially recognises the right to water
- USA: Congressman Payne champions International Year of Sanitation
Afrique Sub-Saharienne (max 3)
- Ghana: children take the lead on World Water Day
- Nigeria: federal government backs construction of million latrines
- Zimbabwe, Bulawayo: engulfed by sewage
Europe et Amérique du Nord (max 1)
Pas de nouvelles.
Autres régions (max 2)
- Egypt: lack of proper sanitation systems threatens groundwater, health
- Latin America: governments sign multilateral water cooperation agreement
Leçons d’expériences (max 3)
- South Africa: parish pump politics - the politics of water supply
- Harmonisation and alignment: lessons for donors from the water sector
Technologies à suivre (max 3)
- Arsenic removal: field testing the Kanchan Arsenic Filter in Cambodia
Funding opportunities (max 1) Je n’avais pas d’autres pour Technologies a suivre
et “running for water” me semblai tres interesante
- Sanitation: update on global funds
- Running for water
Publications récentes (max 2)
- Opportunities for sanitation marketing in Uganda
- The EMPOWERS approach to water governance : guidelines, methods and
tools
Nouvelles vagues Web (1).
- Flickr: new groups for World Water Day and sanitation
Acteurs du secteur (1)
- East Africa: Population, Health, and Environment network launched
Evénements et conférences (Tu peux choisir an outre si tu veux)
- Coupling Sustainable Sanitation and Groundwater Protection
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INTERNATIONAL
WORLD WATER DAY: walking and talking for water most popular 2008 events
Although Sanitation Matters! is the theme for 2008, walking and talking for
water are the most popular events listed on the World Water Day site
[http://www.worldwaterday.org] maintained by IRC.
>From all over the world 89 WWD 2008 events had been submitted until 19
March 2008. One third came from organisations in the developing world, with
11 events from India, and some of them at least dealing with the 2008
sanitation theme. The other 18 developing countries that have WWD events
listed are: Argentina, Cambodia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana,
Gyana, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Senegal, Tanzania.
As always the USA with 26 local events has the bulk of local WWD actions
this year; most of these focus on walking, hiking, and talking on local
water issues. Canada has eight WWD 2008 events. There are 11
Global/internet events and 15 from developed countries registered.
Related web site: World Water Day ‘08
[http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/] [official UN-Water site]
Source: Dick de Jong, moderator WWD site, 19 Mar 2008
——————–
HUMAN RIGHTS: the Netherlands officially recognises the right to water
In the opening of the 7th Session [1] of the UN Human Rights Council in
Geneva on 3 March 2008, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Verhagen,
announced that the Netherlands is to recognise the right to water as a
human right. Verhagen called on the Human Rights Council to make haste in
reaching consensus on the right to water. He said that recognising the
right to water as a human right would not solve the pressing issue of
illness and high mortality rates, but was certain that it would be a
powerful incentive to increase access to water for the poor. With the
recognition of the right to water as a human right, the Netherlands will be
able to point out to the governments of developing countries that they must
do everything in their power to fulfill their people’s right to water.
Last year, on World Water Day, 22 March 2007, Minister for Development
Cooperation, Bert Koenders, announced that he wanted the Netherlands to
play a prominent role in getting the right to water recognised as a human
right. Koenders said that this is necessary to make water a political
priority and that he wanted Dutch embassies to push for the right to water
at country level [2].
[1] UN Human Rights Council. 7th Session
[http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/7session/index.htm]
[2] Netherlands: new Minister for Development Cooperation to push for right
to water, Source Weekly [http://www.irc.nl/page/35778], 10 Apr 2007
Related web sites:
* COHRE - Centre On Housing Rights and Evictions – Right to Water
[http://www.cohre.org/view_page.php?page_id=187]
* Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) - Human Rights
and Access to Water [http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/index.htm]
* The Right to Water [http://www.righttowater.org.uk/]
* World Water Council - Right to Water
[http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/index.php?id=1748]
Source: Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs [http://tinyurl.com/2rye6t],
3 March 2008
——————–
USA: Congressman Payne champions International Year of Sanitation
Congressman Donald M. Payne, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa
and Global Health [1] has introduced a concurrent resolution [2] supporting
the United Nations’ declaration of 2008 as the International Year of
Sanitation.
“Sanitation is the foundation of health, dignity and progress. Economic
and social development are its offshoot. It affects everything from a
girl’s ability to go to school to work productivity. Every dollar
invested in sanitation translates to an average of $7.00 in economic
benefit in developing countries”, Payne said. “With this resolution, I
hope the United States will renew its commitment to this Millennium
Development Goal target [for water and sanitation] and the Paul Simon Water
for the Poor Act [3].”
[1] US House of Representatives: Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health
[http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/sub_africa.asp]
[2] H.CON.RES.318. Supporting the goals and ideals of the International
Year of Sanitation. Legislation text
[http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.CON.RES.318:]
[3] USA: Congress approves US$ 300 million for Water for Poor Act, Source
Weekly [http://www.irc.nl/page/38883], 24 Jan 2008
Contact: Congressman Donald M. Payne, contact page
[http://www.house.gov/payne/contact/index.html]
Related web site: International Year of Sanitation [http://esa.un.org/iys/]
Source: United States House of Representatives - Congressman Donald M.
Payne press release [http://tinyurl.com/2tmvrw], 14 March 2008
*********************
AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA
GHANA: children take the lead on World Water Day
The Tuma Kavi Development Association in Tamale is organising a range of
World Water Day 2008 events. A number of “Child-to-Child” Health
and Environment clubs in rural areas of Ghana’s Northern Region will be
participating in special WWD events in Tamale. They include poster drawing
contests; recording a radio talk show on water and sanitation issues to be
aired on the local Justice FM; and a child-centred workshop launching a new
handwashing programme in village schools.
See the Tuma Kavi World Water Day event photos
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/thefatbuddha/collections/72157604142437865/]
collection.
Source: Tuma Kavi Development Association, WWD site
[http://www.worldwaterday.org/page/1368]
——————–
NIGERIA: federal government backs construction of million latrines
The Federal Government has expressed willingness to support the
construction of one million latrines throughout the country.
In his welcome address at the celebration of the 2008 World Water Day, the
Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr. Sayyadi Abba Ruma, said
the ministry will collaborate with other relevant agencies in the
sanitation sub-sector to attain the International Year of Sanitation
targets which include hand washing campaign as well as building one million
latrines.
The minister further stressed that the ministry would improve partnership
with donor agencies in Nigeria to improve systems for the control of water
borne diseases that undermine health care, raise cost and burden girls and
women.
Source: Misbahu Bashir, Daily Trust / allAfrica.com
[http://allafrica.com/stories/200803200268.html], 20 Mar 2008
——————–
ZIMBABWE, BULAWAYO: engulfed by sewage
Sewer pipes in Bulawayo are blocked, resulting in sewage overflowing into
the streets from manholes. The city’s unsanitary conditions has left
residents fearful of a fresh outbreak of cholera. Service delivery has
collapsed in Bulawayo, after local authorities recently announced that the
municipality was insolvent and unable to cater to the needs of its almost
two million residents.
“Our major problem is a shortage of manpower to deal with more than
500 reported cases of sewer bursts,” says Phathisa Nyathi, the city
municipality’s spokesman.
Most of the families can no longer afford standard toilet paper and have to
resort to newspapers or torn pieces of cardboard boxes for their ablutions,
says council worker Jotham Ncube. Blockages are also occurring from the
accumulation of sand in sewer pipes. “People use river sand to clean
their soot-covered pots” and the dirty water is then flushed down the
toilet.
Magwegwe Residents Association chairman Bazara Banyana rejects the argument
that apportioned blame on residents. He says residents cannot be expected
to condone the absence of services when the residents pay rates and taxes
to the council in the expectation of the provision of those services.
Ingrid Mayobodo, inhabitant of Bualawo, suggests the council should at
least spray the pools of sewage effluent with insecticide to control
mosquito breeding or use disinfectants to suppress the nauseating
stench.”
Source: IRIN News [http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=77288], 14
Mar 2008
Related news: Zimbabwe, Bulawayo: water in short supply despite rain,
Source Weekly [http://www.irc.nl/page/39313], 28 Feb 2008
*******************
Other regions
EGYPT: lack of proper sanitation systems threatens groundwater, health
Nearly all Egyptians - 98 per cent of the population - have access to piped
water but only some have proper sanitation facilities. Not much attention
has been paid to the effective and safe disposal of sewage, especially in
rural areas, specialists told IRIN, the humanitarian news and analysis of
the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
In rural areas - deserts and agricultural areas alike - only 58 per cent of
inhabitants have access to any kind of sanitation, said Rania El-Essawi,
water, environment and sanitation officer at the Cairo office of UNICEF.
Most rural sanitation is primitive, and does not involve a proper sewage
system. UNICEF promotes intermediate sanitation technology, such as
ensuring that latrines are properly built, and attempting to provide basic
sanitation services to families until they can access a more advanced
sewage system, El-Essawi said.
Source: IRIN [http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=77066], 3 Mar
2008
************
LATIN AMERICA: governments sign multilateral water cooperation agreement
Government representatives from Chile, Spain, Peru and Uruguay signed an
international technical cooperation agreement on water resources and the
expansion of drinking water and sanitation services. Planned activities for
this EUR 4 million multilateral initiative include the installation of a
non-conventional wastewater treatment system in Uruguayan department
Canelones, the training of technicians, and strengthening of local,
national and regional water and sanitation institutions. The agreement was
signed in Montevideo, Uruguay, on 29 February 2008. Other Latin American
countries are expected to join the initiative in the near future.
Related news:Latin America: Spain launches US$ 1.5 billion Water Fund,
Source Weekly [http://www.irc.nl/page/38521], 10 Dec 2007
Source: Business News Americas
[http://www.bnamericas.com/story.jsp?sector=4&idioma=I¬icia=425716]
[subscription site], 29 Feb 2008
***************
LESSONS LEARNED
SOUTH AFRICA: parish pump politics - the politics of water supply
The energy put in international campaigns against dams, water privatisation
or Coca Cola is not matched by the vigour and rigour with which these
campaigners tackle the larger and more serious challenges of public
organisation and sustainability in the water sector. “Indeed, it could be
argued that they distract from the more serious work to the detriment of
their wider communities,” argues Mike Muller, former Director-General of
the Department of Water Affairs in a recent paper [1] in Programme in
Development Studies. This tension between a rights-based approach to
service provision and the politics of sustainability and conservation is
one of the parallel debates that influenced South Africa’s first decade of
democracy. There is a technical debate about the nature of the water supply
challenge. There is an institutional politics around budget allocation,
between and within spheres or levels of government. The interplay between
these parallel dynamics is about the politics of the South African
transition to democracy. But South Africa is not an island. So, finally,
there is the global water debate, with its human rights, economic,
anti-privatisation/imperialism and environmental dimensions. The focus of
this paper is on how these different politics are playing out and how they
impact on South Africans, particularly the poor who have perhaps the most
to gain or lose.
[1] Muller, M. (2007). Parish pump politics : the politics of water supply
in South Africa. Progress in development studies ; vol. 7, no. 1 : p.
33-45. DOI: 10.1177/146499340600700104
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/146499340600700104]
[copies can be obtained from the author: Mike Muller, Visiting Adjunct
Professor, Graduate School of Public and Development Management, University
of the Witwatersrand, mailto:mikemuller1949@gmail.com]
Related article: South Africa: could water meters be unconstitutional?,
Source Weekly [http://www.irc.nl/page/38727], 22 Jan 2008
——————–
HARMONISATION AND ALIGNMENT: lessons for donors from the water sector
The Harmonisation and Alignment (H&A) agenda offers important
opportunities for the water sector. Lessons from seven Danida-supported
water projects suggest that this framework has increased awareness about
H&A at the country level, but that progress in implementing these
agendas is patchy and heavily constrained by national, political and
socio-economic contexts, authors of a new ODI project briefing [1] write.
Important lessons for donors are:
* In harmonisation start small with SWAps road maps and built from there.
* In alignment, keep engagement flexible and pragmatic.
* Donors need to revise internal incentives for changing their individual
ways of operation, allowing country ownership to grow.
The sector’s progress towards H&A remains piecemeal; substantial
differences occur between countries and within the water supply, water
resources management and sanitation sub-sectors. Future efforts in H&A
need to reach down to decentralised levels of government, in tandem with
strengthening implementation capacity.
[1] Welle, K., Nicol, A. Steenbergen, F. van (2008). Why is harmonisation
and alignment difficult for donors? : lessons from the water sector. (ODI
project briefing ; no. 6). London, UK, Overseas Development Institute
(ODI). 4-page PDF [http://tinyurl.com/3y4ycq]
Related publication: Danida (2006). Harmonisation and alignment in water
sector programmes and initiatives : good practice paper. Download here
[http://water.dccd.cursum.net/default.aspx?ActiveCAID=229195]
Related news: Aid harmonisation: Denmark takes the lead in the water
sector, Source Weekly [http://www.irc.nl/page/28432], 16 Mar 2006
Contact: Katharine Welle, ODI, UK, e-mail [mailto:k.welle@odi.org.uk]
***************
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
ARSENIC REMOVAL: field testing the Kanchan Arsenic Filter in Cambodia
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is funding a Pilot and Demonstration
Activity (PDA) to test the suitability of the Kanchan Arsenic Filter (KAF)
for Cambodia’s rural areas.
The KAF is the product of 7 years of extensive testing in rural Nepal by
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The filter is a low-cost
household-level technology using simple materials such as gravel and iron
nails, and requires neither external energy nor material input for its
operation and maintenance. Testing is also ongoing in Bangladesh.
The KAF performance verification process in Cambodia consists of 3 phases:
laboratory study, field technical research, and pilot demonstration. The
laboratory study phase was completed in 2006 by the Institute of Technology
of Cambodia (ITC) with support from the Centre for Affordable Water and
Sanitation Technology (CAWST) and MIT. It showed that the KAF consistently
removes over 90% of arsenic, total coliforms, and E.coli from
arsenic-contaminated groundwater near Phnom Penh. The formation of red rust
using small nails proved to be crucial for filter performance.
The PDA will support phases 2 and 3 of the KAF performance verification
process.
[1] MIT - Kanchan Arsenic Filter Project
[http://web.mit.edu/watsan/worldbank_summary.htm]. Contact: Susan Murcott,
Senior Lecturer, IT, mailto:murcott@mit.edu
Contact: Davin Uy, Director of Research and Development, Institute of
Technology of Cambodia, mailto:davinuy@itc.edu.kh
Source: ADB [http://www.adb.org/Water/PDA/CAM/pda-cam-200801.asp], Feb 2008
***********
FUNDING
SANITATION: update on global funds
The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) launched the
Global Sanitation Fund on 14 March 2008 [1]. A month earlier in Durban,
Carolien van der Voorden of the WSSCC said that the first roll out would be
in at least 7 countries, including Uganda, Madagascar and Nepal [2]. WSSCC
Executive Director Jon Lane said in a radio interview that he hopes the
fund will operate with US$ 100 million [EUR 64.8 million] a year [3]. The
Netherlands have kick-started the fund with US$ 44 million [EUR 28.5
million], Dutch media reports [4].
In an open letter calling for increased Canadian investment in sanitation,
the Sanitation & Water Action Network (SWAN) Canada urged the Canadian
Minister of International Cooperation to support the Global Sanitation Fund
[5]
A separate initiative, the World Sanitation Fund Project, was announced in
2007 by the World Toilet Organization (WTO) and Ashoka - Innovators for the
Public [6]. This fund aims to leverage public and private sources of
capital to fund new projects, policies or action plans to be implemented
within three to five years. More will be made known at the World Sanitation
Fund Forum (WSFF), which will be held together with the World Toilet Summit
and Expo from 4-6 November 2008 in Macau [7].
[1] WSSCC - Global Sanitation Fund
[http://www.wsscc.org/en/what-we-do/global-sanitation-fund/index.htm].
Contact: mailto:wsscc@who.int
[2] 5th SuSanA steering group meeting in Durban, South Africa, February
2008. Minutes [PDF] [http://tinyurl.com/228pxa]
[3] WRS [http://tinyurl.com/2ycj49], 12 Mar 2008
[4] NRC [http://tinyurl.com/23n5mo] [in Dutch], 21 Mar 2008
[5] SWAN Canada [http://www.swancanada.org/english/news.html], 20 Mar 2008.
Contact: mailto:info@swancanada.org
[6] The World Sanitation Fund Project [http://tinyurl.com/2abx9f]
Contact: Amanda C. Fox, Social Financial Services, Ashoka, USA,
mailto:afox@ashoka.org ; WTO, Singapore, mailto:info@worldtoilet.org
[7] World Sanitation Fund Forum [http://tinyurl.com/2hkoyf]
————–
Running for water
Six Maasai Warriors from Northern Tanzania left their country for the first time
to run the Flora London Marathon on the 13 April 2008 and raise money to provide
their dry village with clean water.
The Maasai’s traditional way of life is increasingly
under threat due to drought combined with the effects of climate-change,
deforestation and over-grazing. Children, adults and animals are often forced to drink contaminated
water and their village, Elaui, is constantly victim to disease, famine and drought.
As a result, two out of every three children born in the village die before the age of five.
The Maasai’s hope, that by running the Flora London Marathon, they will raise enough
money to provide a clean water source for the community. The money raised will
fund a sonar ground survey, which will help locate subterranean water.
Test holes will be drilled to ascertain the quality and quantity of the water
discovered. A full bore hole will then be drilled and a concrete cap and pump unit fitted.
A conservative estimate cost for this process depending on the findings is about £20,000 to £60,000.
Isaya, the Maasai warrior who is leading the tribe’s marathon attempt, says:
“Our elders told us that we can do it because we have been running all over for
killing a lion and herding cattle. We can help them by getting them clean water so
right now all of us are training very hard because we want to do it to make life easier for the Maasai people.”
Paul Martin, the Greenforce Expedition Leader who is helping the Maasai turn
their marathon dream into reality and will be running alongside them, explains: “
Greenforce, an international aid organisation, has worked with the Maasai tribe since 2005
at their invitation. They soon asked us to teach them English and it was during a lesson
that the Maasai first heard the word ‘marathon’.
To support the Maasai and help them provide their community with clean water,
please donate money at: www.maasaimarathon.org
Source: Press release
For more information see: www.maasaimarathon.org
*******************
NEW PUBLICATIONS
Opportunities for sanitation marketing in Uganda
Outlaw, T.; Jenkins, M. and Scott, B. (2007) Opportunities for sanitation
marketing in Uganda. Washington, DC, USA, USAID. – viii, 53 p. – 21
ref.
This report presents a brief overview of the Uganda sanitation sector and a
presentation of key findings from the trip made by a team of consultants
from the Hygiene Improvement Project to Uganda. It provides multiple
options - both short- and long-term - or building the various components of
an effective sanitation marketing programme in Uganda. The goal of the HIP
consultant team visit to Uganda was to identify activities needed to
develop a stand-alone sanitation marketing programme - including activities
such as formative research, best practice options for rural latrine design,
a consumer guide on technology options, a supply-chain study, training and
certification of masons and artisans, and a road-map for district level
sanitation marketing. In addition, the team sought to provide a set of
options for those interested in making targeted contributions to enhance
other organisations’ ongoing programmes - including sanitation marketing
advocacy materials and outreach activities, assistance for the Community
Sanitation Center, a public-private partnership for cement supply, messages
for the WASH drama series, and technical assistance to micro-credit
initiatives. Estimates of the resource requirements needed to implement
these activities are presented in the recommendation section.
Download document [http://www.hip.watsan.net/]
——————–
The EMPOWERS approach to water governance : guidelines, methods and tools
Moriarty, P; Batchelor, C.; Abd-Alhadi, F.T.; Laban, P. and Fahmy, H.
(2007). The EMPOWERS approach to water governance : guidelines, methods and
tools. Amman, Jordan, INWRDAM. - 153 p. – Includes glossary. - ISBN
978-9957-8624-6-6
This book contains guidelines, methods and tools for use in processes of
planning and dialogue within and between local and intermediate levels. It
describes a practical and logical framework of activities based on the
involvement of those who use and manage water. The guidelines advocate a
process of collaboration through dialogue, to bring about a change in the
way water sector professionals and water users work with each other. The
first three chapters of the guidelines act as an explanation of the overall
approach. Chapter 4 contains a detailed description of the individual
phases and sub-phases of the management cycle for the intermediate and
local levels. Chapter 5 contains a comprehensive set of methods and tools
for working with the approach.
Download document [http://www.empowers.info/page/3344]
****************
NEW ON THE NET
FLICKR: new groups for World Water Day and sanitation
A number of interesting water and sanitation photo collections can be found
on Flickr, the online photo sharing web site.
Launched in time for World Water Day 2008, “Our World, Our Water”
invites photos and discussion of all things water to bring awareness and
galvanise action on issues of water stress, water-related disasters, poor
water quality and water justice around the world. This group invites photos
of all your World Water Day 2008 events, campaigns and celebrations.
Web site: http://www.flickr.com/groups/ourworldourwater/
Members of the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSaNa) have set up a
Flickr group on “Sustainable Sanitation”. So far most of the
photos deal with ecological sanitation (ecosan).
Web site: http://www.flickr.com/groups/sanitation/
Several sets of photos on sanitation (including school sanitation, ecosan
and wastewater treatment) in India can be found in the Flickr collection
managed by India Water Portal.
Web site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/indiawaterportal
*************
EAST AFRICA: Population, Health, and Environment network launched
The Population, Health, and Environment (PHE) East Africa Network was
launched on 16 November 2007 at the Population, Health, and Environment
East Africa Conference in Addis Aababa, Ethiopia. The Population Reference
Bureau was the lead organizer of the conference and also the facilitating
organization for a coalition building workshop.
The USAID supported East Africa PHE Network will:
* Serve as a communication mechanism for sharing lessons learned and best
practices in integrated programme design and implementation.
* Enhance communication among different stakeholders (researchers,
development planners, and programme managers) working to achieve PHE
objectives in East Africa.
* Increase stakeholder knowledge and interest in PHE linkages at the
national and regional levels.
* Disseminate PHE research and data.
Source: Environmental health at USAID
[http://www.ehproject.org/phe/phe-e_africa.html], Feb 2008
**************
Events
Coupling Sustainable Sanitation and Groundwater Protection
Hannover, Germany,
14-17 October 2008
Organised by: Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR)
(Germany), Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
(Germany) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
The Symposium will focus on applicable solutions for the protection of
groundwater against anthropogenic domestic effluents in the context of
developing countries. It will address the gap between technical approaches
and political challenges and provide a forum for international decision
makers to get in contact with practitioners. This will help the political
level to recognise planning challenges and find practical solutions for
sustainable sanitation
Programme:
* keynotes: links between groundwater protection and sanitation
* statements: international efforts for improved sanitation and
groundwater protection
* session 1: sanitation concepts and their relevance for groundwater
protection
* session 2: existing approaches covering sustainable sanitation and
groundwater protection
* market of opportunities and poster exhibition with best practices and
case studies
* high level panel on progress in coupling sustainable sanitation and
groundwater protection
* field trip
Contact: BGR, mailto:symposium2008@bgr.de, Dr. Thomas Himmelsbach, tel.:
+49-511-6433794 or Andrea Wachtler, tel.: +49-511-6432985
More information: [http://tinyurl.com/2fyxja]
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