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International Programs

Africa

Desert and Mountains

EPA’s environmental program in Africa is focused on addressing Africa’s growing urban and industrial pollution issues, such as air quality, water quality, electronics waste and indoor air from cookstoves. EPA expertise is assisting Africa with pollution-related issues before they become overwhelming and before their impacts irreparably damage the African and global environment.

EPA programs in Africa are designed to protect human health, particularly vulnerable populations such as children and the poor. Addressing Good Environmental Governance, EPA programs in Africa:

  • support the development of environmental laws, regulations and standards;
  • strengthen capacity for enforcement of and compliance with environmental laws, environmental inspections, and environmental impact assessments;
  • promote public participation; and
  • support development of improved management approaches in African environmental agencies.

Global Water Safety Conference

November 2012: Almost 300 attendees from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and Australia participated in the Global Water Safety Conference: Improving Service Delivery and Protecting Public Health Exit EPA disclaimer in Kampala, Uganda . The conference was organized by the International Water Association (IWA), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Water and Sewerage Corporation of Uganda (NWSC), with support from EPA through a grant to strengthen Water Safety Plans (WSPs) in East Africa.

Nairobi Water staff pictured with Lek Kadeli, EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Research and Development, who gave the conference opening speech.

In Kampala, the day before the conference, Nairobi Water Exit EPA disclaimer was announced as the IWA/EPA East Africa Water Safety Award Winner. Nairobi Water won the award for demonstrated good Water Safety Plan preparation and stakeholder engagement, for having integrated Water Safety Planning in its business plans and budget as well as developing a WSP through their Water Operator Partnership with Moshi Water and Mombasa Water.

Also at the Global Water Conference, the Africa Water Safety Plan Network was launched and held its first strategy meeting, and the WSP Training Package was released. The week also included specific attention to clean water service delivery in informal settlements and women as leaders in water safety.

Learn more about our key activities in Africa:

Contacts

For additional information on EPA's work in Africa, contact:

Cristina Mercurio
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of International and Tribal Affairs (2670R)
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
E-mail: mercurio.cristina@epa.gov
(202) 564-6481

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