THE PROTOCOL ON WATER AND HEALTH:

where health, environment and development policies meet

 

Water and health problems in our region

• 140 million (16%) do not have a household connection to a drinking-water supply

• 85 million (10%) do not have improved sanitation;• Over 41 million (5%) do not have access to safe

drinking-water• 13,500 deaths a year of children under 14 years of

age are due to poor water conditions• Emerging threats: protozoan infestations of drinking-

water supply systems, proliferation of Legionella, and potential health problems related to the increasingly complex chemical environment.

 

Protocol on Water and Health: a framework to address these issues

• Adopted in 1999 by 36 countries

• Entered into force in 2005• Ratified by 21 countries

 

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Status of ratification

Signatories Parties

 

Objective of the Protocol

Protect human health and well being by better water management

Sustainable development and MDGs

Poverty reduction Policies integration Cooperation between

sectors and countries

 

Core provisions

• Prevention, control and reduction of water-related diseases

• Outbreak detection, contingency planning and response

• Effective protection of water resources

• Provision of adequate supplies of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation

 

Objectives (a) Access to drinking water for everyone and  (b) Provision of sanitation for everyone

=>beyond MDG 7, target 10 =>framework for implementing the human right to

water

 

Pillars of the Protocol’s implementation

Targets and target dates

Programme of measures

Assessment of progress –review of

compliance

Support to implementation

Public information

Compliance Committee

International support: AHPFM

Surveillance and response

 

Targets and target dates

Within 2 years, each Party shall set targets on:• Water supply and sanitation• Water management • Health protection

=> tailored to country needs and capacity=> intersectoral cooperation, national dialogue,=> guidelines by 2009 by the Task Force on

Indicators and Reporting

 

Review and assessment of progress

Parties shall

• Collect and evaluate data on their progress towards the targets and on progress towards preventing, controlling or reducing water-related disease

• Review the progress made and publish an assessment of that progress against targets every three years.

• Report to the Meeting of the Parties => guidelines by 2009 by the Task Force on

Indicators and Reporting

 

Review of compliance

• ObligationParties shall review their compliance on the basis of the review and assessment of progress

• CharacteristicMultilateral arrangement of a non-confrontational, non-judicial and consultative nature

• Implementation: Compliance Committee– Composition– Trigger mechanisms– Measures

 

Surveillance and response

Within 3 years, each Party shall establish:

• Surveillance and early warning systems for identification of outbreaks or potential threats

• Contingency plans for response to outbreaks• National and local capacity to respond

=> Guidelines by 2009 by the Task Force on Surveillance

 

International cooperation

Parties shall cooperate and assist each other to implement the Protocol:

• Coordinated international action (harmonization of targets, indicators, surveillance systems, etc)

• Cooperation on transboundary waters

• International support for national action=> Ad Hoc Project Facilitation Mechanism:Improved formulation of projects, coordination of donor action, matching of needs and assistance

 

Public awareness, education and public information

Parties shall

• Take steps to enhance public awareness• Promote common understanding between sectors• Encourage education and training• Ensure that information is available to the public

 

Main advantages• Legally binding => ensures long-term commitment and

forms a basis for improved regulatory environment• Designed to support continuous progress with pace and

objectives tailored to countries’ priorities and capacities• Programme of work supports implementation and

harmonization in the region• International assistance coordinated and strengthened

through Ad Hoc Project Facilitation Mechanism• Offers a structured environment for government, NGOs

and business to develop long-term cooperation at national and international level

• Catalyses coordinated national actions by different stakeholders and promotes inter-sectoral cooperation

• Contain communication elements which facilitate public participation.

 

More information

http://www.unece.org/env/water/

http://www.euro.who.int/watsan