Protection of Human Environment

Inadequate shelter, contaminated food, and indoor air pollution are important environmental threats to poor households and communities in rural and urban areas.

Polluted and scarce water resources and the contamination of soils by toxic chemicals emitted by industrial, agricultural and municipal waste have drastically increased the cost of water treatment and vector control.

Despite commendable efforts by governments and development partners, 45% of African people lack access to safe water and adequate sanitation.

As a consequence, infectious diseases linked to poor environmental conditions kill one out of every five children, diarrhea and acute respiratory infections are two of the top killers of children, and cholera is endemic in at least a dozen countries in the region.

It is evident that these environmental health conditions are closely linked to poverty and the broader set of developmental challenges that countries face.

In order to address the above problems and challenges, the protection of human environment area of work covers a broad range of risk assessment and normative work.

With health and sustainable development high on the agenda, the programme ensures the:
Provision of technical guidance to countries on environmental health impact assessment
Strengthening environmental health measures and mitigation of harmful effects.

Technical support to countries in the development and implementation of pro-poor environmental and health policies and legislations.

Promotion of integrated and holistic community-based approaches that target the highly vulnerable.