integrating biodiversity conservation, health and community development
DESCRIPTION
This presentation is about a development project in Uganda, "Integrated Biodiversity Conservation, Health and Community Development around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park" Presentation by Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, GDN Award for the Most Innovative Development Project GDN 14th Annual Conference Manila, Philippines June 19-21, 2013TRANSCRIPT
Integrated Biodiversity Conservation, Health and Community Development around Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park, SW Uganda
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Ashoka Fellow
Founder, Conservation Through Public HealthJapan MIDP Award Presentation
19th June 2013
Presentation Outline
• Problem
• Solution
• Replication
• Need for support
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Problem
The Innovation
• Ashoka Fellowship for leading social entrepreneurs in 2007
• Merging Uganda’s wildlife management and rural public health programs to create common resources for both people and animals
Conservation Through Public Health
Mission• Promotes biodiversity conservation by enabling
people, wildlife and livestock to coexist through improving their health and livelihoods in and around Africa’s protected areas
Vision• People, wildlife and livestock living in balance
health and harmony with local communities acting as stewards of their environment.
The Solution
Three integrated programs:
• Wildlife Conservation
• Community Health
• Sustainable Livelihoods
Wildlife Health
Water Conservation/Hygiene and
Sanitation
Village Health and Conservation Teams
• Recognized Ministry of Health (MOH) structure
• Monthly Data collectionfor MOH and UWA
• Hygiene and sanitation• Family planning
• Disease identification and
referrals(TB, scabies,
HIV/AIDS, diarrhea)
• Nutrition• Conservation education
Achievements – Public Health
• 12 fold increase in modern family planning new users within four years
• improved hygiene and sanitation indicators (increase in hand washing facilities, clean water storage and drinking containers)
• 11 fold increase in TB suspect patients identified
Achievements - Conservation
• Improved conservation attitudes and practices
- agriculture (soil and water conservation)
- reduced poaching
- greater protection for gorillas on community land.
• Reduced incidences of wildlife disease
Sustainability
• How to continue VHCTs - Village Health (and Conservation) Teamsbeyond donor funding?
• Supporting VHCTs with income generating projects and Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLAs)
Innovation - Sustainability of VHCTs in Kanungu District, Bwindi
• Bicycles (adopted by MOH)
• Cupboards (for CBDEPO providers)
• Livestock
• VSLAs
VHCT income generating projects
Sustainability of VHCTs - VSLAs
• Two Village Savings and Loans Associations in 2 parishes
• 25 members (15 VHCTs and 10 others)
• $0.4 to $2 contribution per weekly sitting
• 10% Interest rate over 3 months lending period
• Promote group cohesion and a unified local support system
Sustainability of VHCTs - VSLAs
• School fees, family emergency; business
• 100% paying back rate
• No volunteer drop outs in 6 years
• Welfare fund for meetings with CTPH
• VSLAs successful because of no external funding and common goal (VHCTs)
A Sustainable and Scalable Model
• VHCTs or VHTs or CBDs
• Income generating projects (livestock, honey etc.)
• VSLAs
• Link to MOH, UWA
• Lasting social and environmental impact
VHCT model replicated, but a challenge for MOH to sustain
• Kisoro District with high human and gorilla conflict
• Queen Elizabeth National Park (savannah)
• Virunga National Park (DRC)
• Lake Victoria Basin (Kenya and Uganda) with CTPH playing an advocacy role.
Locations planned for replication around protected areas
• Similarities
• high human population densities;
• park encroachment;
• human and wildlife conflict
• Limited access to social services
• Poverty
• Water scarcity
• Differences
• Ecosystems (savannah, freshwater, mountain)
• History of protected area formation
• Conservation threats
• Culture
• Diversity of ethnic groups
• Mount Elgon
Replication in all districts by MOH
Sustaining VHTs – so far
• Policy change - CBDEPO
• Bicycles
The Future
• Livestock or other income generating projects with VSLAs
Budget to establish VHCT income generating project and VSLA in one location
Item Amount (USD)
Personnel 9,384
Travel 2,640
Meetings and Trainings 8,400
Supplies (livestock) 2,676
Other costs 2,400
Indirect Costs 4,500
Total Project costs 30,000
Conclusion
• By integrating conservation, public health and microfinance, through supporting Village Health and Conservation Teams with Village Saving and Loan Associations, we have developed a sustainable and scalable model for uninterrupted provision of community based social services, meeting the health and livelihoods needs of both people and animals.