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HPAP Updates: Training in Geospatial Information Technologies and more

• December 16, 2020
• GAHP admin
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In October and November, work on Health and Pollution Action Plans (HPAP) made progress in Thailand, Indonesia, Senegal, Tajikistan and Madagascar. Here is a summary:

Training in Geospatial Information Technologies 

On November 24 and 25, GAHP and Miami University’s Geospatial Analysis Center welcomed 14 environmental professionals from Southeast Asia to an intensive, virtual two-day training program in open source earth observation and geospatial information (GIS) technologies.

The event was created particularly to support GAHP’s HPAP in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, to help local NGO Yayasan Tambuhak Sinta (YTS) implement a project, which includes raising the capacity of local government to collect data for air quality monitoring.

The training aims to help organizations expand their comprehensive pollution monitoring, research, and communication activities, especially with community members and policymakers.

Madagascar Moves Towards Implementation of HPAP

Madagascar, the first country to complete an HPAP in 2018, took important steps to implement their plan in November. The government convened an interministerial meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, to discuss the implementation of a sustainable management plan for pollution in the country. Representatives from 14 different government ministries and agencies met to discuss setting up a national task force for pollution management, coordinating actions and responsibilities of concerned institutions, and defining effective measures and solutions for each affected sector.

Dialogue on Open Field Burning in Thailand

As part of Thailand’s HPAP process, the Thai Environment institute hosted a stakeholder meeting in Thailand on open field burning with support from Pure Earth, GAHP and UNEP on October 26 and 27.

During this two-day stakeholder dialogue, various government agencies, including the Pollution Control Board, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Industry, and the Ministry of Interior, as well as farmers, identified challenges, discussed ongoing practices and possible ways to overcome them.

Final HPAP Workshop in Senegal

On October 28, GAHP and Pure Earth held a final HPAP workshop in Dakar, Senegal, before the scheduled final meeting on December 15. The workshop and the development of the HPAP was supported by both USAID and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. There were 24 participants, including representatives from the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Health. Workshop participants were wearing masks and distanced from each other.

Completion of HPAP in Tajikistan

On October 30, GAHP and Pure Earth held a meeting in Dushanbe marking the completion of HPAP in Tajikistan. The meeting and the development of the HPAP was supported by both USAID and the EU. There were 36 participants, including representatives of national and local NGOs, Committee of Nature Protection, Center for Implementation of Stockholm Convention, Blacksmith Institute/Pure Earth, Peshsaf, Rushdi Diyor, FSD, and national experts. Workshop participants were wearing masks and socially distanced from each other.