Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
T +995 32 75 19 03/04
F +995 32 75 19 05
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]
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UNEP/WHO project "Demonstrating and Scaling up Sustainable Alternatives to
DDT for the control of vector borne diseases in Southern Caucasus and
Central Asia"
Dear Colleagues,
Let us inform you that, UNEP is involved in a number of joint UNEP/WHO
projects related to support IVM/IPM approaches in several regions in the
world.
This huge regional UNEP/WHO /Milieukontakt project implies safeguard
(repackage and collect) priority quantities of DDT in countries like
Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. These are in the
framework of Malaria Vector control.
The main idea behind these projects is to convert traditional ‘chemicals
application’ approaches towards a more sustainable approach focusing on
biological and environmental interventions suitable for the particular
region.
As you are aware of, in the past many countries applied DDT in vector
control.
GEF, the Global Environment Facility, is the financial instrument to co-fund
actions which are in line with the objectives of the Stockholm Convention.
According to the Stockholm Convention, Parties should pay attention to the
development and promotion of alternatives to DDT use in vector control.
Though DDT is officially not in use in malaria vector control anymore, the
current government structures in many countries are still partly based on a
"chemicals application" approach. This allows -in principle- the possibility
of reverting to the use of -cheap- DDT in situations where donor funding is
reduced or absent and when emergency situations arise.
Based on POPs knowledge (some countries are in the development or have even
completed their National Implementation Plans – NIPs) and based on previous
contacts (amongst others two workshops held earlier this year in the region)
countries which can be involved in a project can be Azerbaijan, Tajikistan,
Kyrgyzstan and Georgia. All countries have ratified the Stockholm Convention
which is a prerequisite for obtaining GEF funding.
For the development of this Full Sized Project, expertise from WHO, UNEP and
specially recruited consultants will be made available.
Once the Full sized Project will be approved, countries will receive GEF
co-funding to implement activities as described in the project document.
For the current project, main activities envisaged are:
* the demonstration of alternatives to DDT in malaria vector control;
* support national capacity planning in planning and implementation
of IVM/IPM
* cleaning up of some smaller but prioritized stockpiles of POPs
(mainly DDT)
* support existing regional information dissemination mechanisms.
The 4 components are broadly defined in order to allow very country specific
details and wishes to be included at a later stage.
Execution of project activities is envisaged through a group of partners
(including relevant national ministries, local NGO’s, the international
Dutch based NGO Milieukontakt International, and WHO EURO and local
offices).
Contact Agency to GEF is UNEP.
Project duration: The PPG will probably take about 1 year, the Full Sized
Project can take 5 years.
The purpose of this letter is, besides informing you about the project
initiative, requesting your support in order to obtain a formal Endorsment
Letter from the GEF Focal point in your country.
It is expected that the countries will need to provide (in-kind) co-funding
for the execution of the project.
We kindly to support this new project and ask your written approval to
Dr. Elkhan Gasimov, WHO contact person at [email protected] and to GEF Focal
Point is Hussein Bagirov, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, at
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]
Please Cc this e-mail to Jan Betlem ([email protected] ).
A format for the Support Letter is attached here with (see attachment).
The deadline of submission of Support Letters is 30 September 2007.
Your support is highly appreciated!!!