Source Weekly 2009, 01

Published - 03 Feb 09

International

Guinea worm: 'close to eradication', says Carter Center

The US-based Carter Center says that health workers are on the verge of eradicating Guinea worm, a parasitical disease that has affected millions of people in Africa and Asia. Cases have been cut by 99.7% and there are hopes that the disease will be completely wiped out by 2010.

WASH in schools: Dubai Cares and global partners discuss common approach

Dubai Cares chaired the first in a series of roundtable forums on the link between water and sanitation and primary education programmes in developing countries. The roundtable defined statistical indicators on the proposed link and discussed the creation of an agreed unified programme model.

Climate change: millions fear death as water resources are depleted, Tearfund report

National plans for managing water are failing to consider the impacts of climate change, resulting in devastating consequences for the world’s poorest people. Tearfund says at least $50 billion a year of new money is needed to help developing countries adapt to climate change.

US President Barack Obama: “…let clean waters flow”

In his inauguration speech on 20 January 2009, President Barack Obama highlighted the importance of water in poverty reduction.

Liberia: invading caterpillars pollute water and destroy crops, national emergency declared

Millions of invading caterpillars have forced thousands of Liberians to flee their homes and the situation is “getting worse”. The caterpillars have destroyed crops, entered houses and contaminated water sources with their faeces.

Africa: Lake Victoria Region Water and Sanitation Initiative

SNV, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Gender and Water Alliance and UNESCO-IHE have entered into a partnership arrangement with UN-Habitat for the implementation of the capacity building component of the Lake Victoria Region Water and Sanitation (LVWATSAN) Initiative.

Mozambique: “model institutions” in hygiene campaign

According to Health Minister Ivo Garrido, the national hygiene and sanitation campaign, launched at the beginning of 2008, has succeeded in creating a series of “model institutions” across Mozambique. The idea is that these model institutions would set an example of good hygiene and sanitation to be followed by others.

Zimbabwe: worst-case cholera scenario getting worse

By 28 January 2009, the cholera death toll in Zimbabwe had climbed to 3,028. The US-based International medical rights organisation, Physicians for Human Rights, have labeled Zimbabwe’s health crisis a ‘crime’ that should be the subject of an investigation by the International Criminal Court.

Palestine, Gaza: US$ 25 million needed to restore water and sanitation services

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) flash appeal for Gaza includes US$ 25 million to restore water and sanitation following Israel's military action. While 70% of the wells had been restored, there was still a risk of water contamination from sewage leaks.

First Arab Water Forum: addressing regional and country specific water challenges

The 1st Arab Water Forum (AWF) was held on 16-19 November 2008 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It focussed on presenting and discussing the progress of the MENA/Arab Region’s preparatory processes towards the 5th World Water Forum (WWF5).

South Asia: SACOSAN-III recognises sanitation and safe drinking water as a basic right

In its final declaration, the Third Asian Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN-III), which ended in New Delhi, India, on 21 November 2008, recognised access to sanitation and safe drinking water as a basic right.

India: national survey shows that 70% of schools in seven states have no toilets

A national survey in India has revealed that 70% of elementary schools in seven states are without toilet facilities, while 20% of schools in over 10 states have no drinking water.

India, Andhra Pradesh: lowest number of working toilets

The Indian state of Andhra Pradesh has the lowest number of working toilets in the country. This is despite the state heading the list of states constructing the most toilets.

Pakistan: changing behaviour to stop open defecation

1,500 activists have been trained in Pakistan, as part of the Community-Led Total Sanitation campaign, to try and persuade people to stop the practice of open defecation. Although the majority of the activists are men, much of their success is due to the women behind them.

Ecuador: Texaco toxic past haunts Chevron as judgment looms

Oil companies have caused one of the worst environmental and human health disasters in the Amazon basin and depending on how an Ecuadorean judge rules in a lawsuit it could result in the costliest corporate ecological catastrophe in world history.

Colombia: Government aims to modernize 1,500 small water, sewerage utilities in 2009

Colombia’s environment ministry is offering technical assistance, training and software to small and rural municipalities to create and strengthen potable water and sanitation utilities, to improve business efficiency, ensure better services and, in some cases, a decrease in water rates.

PERUSAN 2008: “Proposals for Sustainable Sanitation” launched

Approximately 1,200 people attended the opening ceremony of the First Peruvian Conference on Sanitation, PERUSAN 2008.

Mr. Toilet, World Toilet Association founder Sim Jae-duck, died

The Korean sanitation campaigner, founder and first president of the World Toilet Association (WTA), nicknamed "Mr. Toilet", Sim Jae-duck died on 14 January 2009.

Ron Rivera, potter devoted to clean water, dies at 60

Mr. Rivera died on 3 Sep 2008 after contracting falciparum malaria.

UN President appoints Canadian as new Senior Advisor on water

President of the 63rd session of the United Nations Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann appointed Maude Barlow, national chairperson of the Council of Canadians and founder of the Blue Planet Project, as the first Senior Advisor on water issues.

Global Water Partnership appoints new Executive Secretary

The Global Water Partnership (GWP) announced the appointment of Dr. Ania Grobicki as the GWP Executive Secretary, effective March 11, 2009.

Petition calls for reinstatement of suspended South African water expert

The Federation for a Sustainable Environment has handed over a petition to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) demanding the reinstatement of water research scientist Dr Anthony Turton.

Catarina de Albuquerque: appointed as Independent Expert on right to water and sanitation

In September 2008 the Human Rights Council appointed Ms. Catarina de Albuquerque as Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

Chab Chean: Cambodian comedian takes rural sanitation to the Kingdom’s TVs

TV personality and comedian Chab Chean has been chosen as the government's spokesperson in a push to promote sanitation throughout the countryside.

Bangladesh: Dr. Mujibur Rahman left ITN-Bangladesh

Dr. Md. Mujibur Rahman, Professor of Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering Division, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has left the Directorship of ITN-Bangladesh.

Chief, WASH, UNICEF, Pakistan

UNICEF is looking for a Chief, WASH, for its office in Islamabad, Pakistan. The chief will provide technical support to other sectoral programmes and provincial/earthquake recovery districts.

Apply before Monday 09 February 2009

WASH Specialist, L3, UNICEF, Haiti

Based in Port-au-Pronce, the WASH specialist will be esponsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene component of the Child Survival and Development programme.

Apply before Monday 09 February 2009

Junior Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Advisor, SNV, Nepal

The Jr. WASH Advisor's primary role is to contribute to capacity building of WASH clients (local government and NGOs) in the Western Portfolio of Nepal.

Apply before Friday 13 February 2009

Water supply: impact on gender and income in Gujarat, India

This paper investigates the impact of domestic water supply on economic development and gender relations in rural households in a drought-prone area of Gujarat, India.

Microfinance: improving access to water supply and sanitation in urban India

Preliminary results of research in India suggest that microlending may be an effective means of helping households in communities with existing trunk infrastructure to access improved water supply and sanitation services in their homes.

Community-managed toilets: Tiruchirappalli sets a good example

The city of Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, India, is setting a good example with its community-managed toilets (CMTs). The city authorities, communities and NGOs have joined forces to install nearly 340 CMTs, most of which also have bathing and washing facilities.

Sanitation: willingness to pay in Bangladesh

A recently published study report offers economic insights into the sanitation-related strategies of the BRAC Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Programme in Bangladesh. The results indicate that about 80% of households were willing to pay for improved sanitation services.

Terafil water filters: clay filters promise clean drinking water in villages in Jharkand, India

Two villages in East Singhbhum district, Jharkand state, India, are to host a pilot project to promote the use of Terafil filters. Terafil filters consist of porous terracotta discs produced from a mixture of red clay, river sand and wood saw dust, without using chemicals.

Microfinance: unique partnership aims to spur innovation in India’s sanitation sector

Dutch NGO WASTE and micro insurance company TATA-AIG have jointly developed a way to improve sanitation using health insurance products based on customer demand. Health insurance premiums will be tailored to the sanitation situation of the target group, so that better sanitation means lower premiums.

Conflict mediation in the water and sanitation sector

This thematic overview paper explores current thinking about conflict management in the water and sanitation sector and is meant for individuals who want to understand more about the way to analyse, understand and help to manage conflicts.

Appropriate technology for water and sanitation: a business development toolkit

This toolkit explains the principles of doing business in poverty-stricken areas, offers a step-by-step business development approach and provides practical tools, tips and background information.

Local governance for basic urban services

This booklet presents a summary of IRC activities within the BUS framework, carried out over a five-year period (2003-2007) through an Agreement of Cooperation with UNCHS (UN-Habitat).

Community-Led Total Sanitation

This web site aims to be the global hub for CLTS. It contains practical information about the approach, information on CLTS in different countries, research papers, relevant news and events and other materials.

Water Week 2009: Tackling Global Water Challenges

Washington, DC, USA, 17-20 Feb 2009

Annual event organised by the World Bank. The topics this year include climate change, the food crisis, keeping the momentum for the MDGs, and the global economic crisis.

World Water Day 2009 - Shared Water - Shared Opportunities

Global, 22 March 2009

The UN General Assembly designated 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. In 2009 special focus will be placed on transboundary waters.

2009 World Water Week in Stockholm

Stockholm, Sweden, 16-22 August 2009

Theme: Responding to Global Change: Accessing Water for the Common Good with Special Focus on Transboundary Waters

1st IWA Development Congress

Mexico City, Mexico, 15-19 November 2009

This event will bring together 1,000 international water and sanitation professionals to discuss emerging solutions, developments and approaches to sustainable water and sanitation management and exchange knowledge on all aspects of service delivery in low and middle income countries, with a special focus on Latin America.