MINISTRY OF HEALTH & MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY. Seychelles National Climate Change and Health Adaptation Plan of Action,

Transcription

1 MINISTRY OF HEALTH & MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Seychelles National Climate Change and Health Adaptation Plan of Action, November, 2013

2 Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENT... I PREFACE... II LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS... III EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... IV BACKGROUND... 1 AIM AND OBJECTIVES... 4 METHODOLOGY... 5 BUDGET SUMMARY CONCLUSIONS BIBLIOGRAPHY ANNEX: DISTRICTS IN SEYCHELLES I

3 Acknowledgement Climate change is a significant and emerging threat to Public Heath which necessitates developing a comprehensive National action plan to protect human health and particularly the vulnerable population. The development of a Climate Change and Health National Action Plan (HNAP) for Seychelles is considered as the health adaptation process at national level, which includes as an output the development of a detailed health adaptation plan, as an organized programme of actions designed to achieve the national health adaptation goals, within a specific period of time and given available and potential additional resources. For this, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environment and Energy extends their special thanks to the multi-sectoral team which comprises of Dr. Shobha Hajarnis (Director General Public Health and Coordinator of the multi-sectoral core team), Dr. Cornelia Atsyor (WLO) Mr. Francois Albert (Meteorological Forecaster, Meteorological Department); Ms. Geralda Didon, (Director Public Health, Public Health Authority); Mr. Marcel Belmont, (Senior Meteorological Technician, Meteorological Department); Ms. Melina Josephine, (UNISEY); Mr. Selvan Pillay, (Director, Meteorological Services, Meteorological Department); Ms. Veronique Baker, (Department Disaster Risk Management); Mr. Jean Malbrook (Economist, Ministry of Health); and Mr. Joachim Didon, (Senior Statistician, Ministry of Health). Last and not the least, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environment and Energy would like to acknowledge the support of the World Health Organization (WHO); Dr. Bagayoko of Africa Regional Office, WHO Liaison Office, Seychelles and the consultant, Solomon M. Nzioka who facilitated the finalization of this plan of action. I

4 Preface The Seychelles National Action plan for Public Health Adaptation to Climate Change (SNPHACC) is a national document that will be used to ensure that the effect of climate change on health is addressed in a systematic manner. It sets out the plan with expected results clearly laid down to respond to the call when the ministers of Health and the ministers of Environment met through resolution AFR/RC61/R2 of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, and decision SS4/1 of the African Ministerial Conference on Environment, both adopted in September The plan of action includes a set of public health and environment interventions to strengthen its resilience for public health adaptation to climate change. Seychelles as a small island state has proven successful health and environmental indicators comparable to that of the developed world.,. The plan will be based on essential intervention such as risk and capacity assessments, capacity building, integrated environment and health surveillance, response, research, monitoring and evaluation and management and coordination, all through a multi-sect oral approach. Threats of climate change is felt worldwide and Seychelles being a small island state is very vulnerable to its effect on public health, recent January 2013 flash flood is a typical of such an event. The plan elaborated in this document will provide donors and technical agencies with a framework for the successful implementation of the programs and projects projected as partners in this important venture for lasting benefit to the future of our nation. Seychelles together with committed stakeholders and partners is committed to implementing all priority actions for through this five-year plan of action with an estimated cost of US$ 10 Million. II

5 Acronyms 1. AMCEN -Africa Ministerial Conference on Environment 2. CHAP - Climate Change and Health Adaptation Plan 3. DRDM -Department of Risk and Disaster Management 4. HNAP -Health National Adaptation Plan 5. IDSR -Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response 6. MOE -Ministry of Environment and Energy 7. MOH -Ministry of Health 8. NGOs -Non Governmental Organizations 9. NCCCC -National Climate Change Coordination Committee 10. SIDS -Small Island Developing States 11. TWC -Technical Working Committee 12. UNFCCC -United Nations Framework for Climate Change Convention 13. UNISEY -University of Seychelles 14. UNEP -United Nations Environment Programme 15. WHO -World Health Organization III

6 Executive Summary Seychelles is an archipelago made up of 116 islands of which 37% are granitic and 63% coralline islands, most of the population live on the three main islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. The main ecosystem setting in Seychelles are coastal, highland- mountain, wetland and forest land. The policy of the Government of Seychelles is towards extensive protections of the forest zone and preserving the ecosystem. In support of this Government policy, Seychelles has hence joined other Africa countries in adapting the Pan-African Adaptation plan of action for the health sector. This framework was approved by the Ministers of Health during the sixty-first session of Regional Committee meeting in August 2011 under resolutionafr/rc61/r2 and was also adopted by the Ministers of Environment during the 4 th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) under Decision AMCEN/SS4/1. In both meetings the African Union Commission, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO), and other development partners were requested to support countries to implement the framework. The resulting plan of action has seven main components as follows: (i)risk Capacity Assessment (ii)capacity Building (iii)integrated Environment and Health Surveillance (iv)response (v)research (vi)monitoring and Evaluation, and (vii)management and Coordination. ( we need to explain briefly what each chapter aims at addressing) To conclude, it is notable that the Seychelles National Climate Change and Health Adaptation Plan provides a reference point for multi-sectoral management of climate sensitive health risk factors impacting on climate sensitive disease. Financing and implementation of this plan costed at US$ 10 million over five years is hence a joint responsibility of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and energy, and other relevant partners including international and civil organizations. IV

7 Background Seychelles has an estimated mid-year population of 89,949 in Eighty seven percent of the population lives on the Mahe Island and more than 90% of all economic activities are located on a narrow coastal plain of Mahe with an average elevation of only two meters above sea level (see annex) rendering Mahe vulnerable to the flooding with serious consequences. In addition, Seychelles has a very fragile natural environment, meaning that any environmental stress arising from over-exploitation or global phenomena, such as climate change, is immediately translated into impacts on livelihood. Seychelles unique and diverse biodiversity is under threat primarily from intense tourism development pressure, environmental degradationclimate change impact is already being experienced in the form of sea level rise, erosion, flash floods and effects of Tsunami, and disease vector proliferation are perceived to be of high risk to Seychelles. It is however believed that the impacts of climate change are likely to become more evident in the next ten years. There are Government ministries and departments which are directly or indirectly working in the area of Climate change and Health. There are also other entities working with a similar mandate including NGOs, research institutes, regulatory bodies, educational and private institutions. These mandates relate to conservation, monitoring, protecting, preservation, conserving and managing the environment, water and natural resources, and enhancing food security, with various local and international partners and stakeholders. There is however no formal mechanism in place to coordinate health and environment issues but there are several inter-sectoral committees and boards established. The two ministries collaborate on ad-hoc basis on events such as disease outbreak management, environmental pollution and other specific programs to address health and environmental matters. 1

8 There is a need to strengthen a joint mechanism for monitoring environmental risk factors and human health ecosystem integrity to address the issues of climate change and health and also establish a platform to disseminate research findings, such as a National Research website which includes Climate change and Health issues. Climate change impacts on public health including disease transmission mechanisms. Diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and diarrhoeal diseases and other water and vector borne diseases are highly sensitive to climate change. The United Nations notes that climate change will slow, and/or reverse the millennium development gains if contingency plans are not in place to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Adaptation to Climate change is also vitally important for food security and sustainable development. Therefore there is a need to undertake an assessment to identify climate sensitive risk factors and climate sensitive diseases to human health and also need to develop capacity building of human resources, to apply early warning information on climate sensitive diseases and similarly establish an early warning system for accurate forecasting of rainfall by providing equipment and supplies to respond to climate related health outcomes. Based on Decision CP16 of the UNFCCC COP 16, countries are committed to implement a set of public health and environment interventions to strengthen their resilience by developing and implementing national action plans for public health adaptation to climate change. Seychelles has hence joined other African countries in adopting the Pan-African Adaptation plan of action for the health sector. This plan based on the Africa Regional Framework for Public Health Adaptation to Climate Change was approved by the Ministers of Health during the sixty-first session of Regional Committee meeting in August 2011 under resolutionafr/rc61/r2 and was also adopted by the Ministers of Environment during the 4 th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) under Decision AMCEN/SS4/1. In both meetings the African Union Commission, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO), and other development partners were requested to support countries to implement the framework. 2

9 Whilst the Ministry of Health has developed the National Health Strategic Framework, the Ministry of Environment and Energy has the Seychelles Sustainable Development Strategy, there are no clear linkages established between the two Ministries for strategic and operational planning mechanisms. Similarly though the issue of climate change and health is addressed by many policies there is no clear budget line allocated for its implementation. Therefore, the Seychelles National Climate Change and Health Adaptation Plan of Action (-2018) has been developed to facilitate joint collaboration between Health and environment sector to address climate change and health impact. 3

10 Aim and Objectives The Framework for Public Health Adaptation to Climate Change is intended to provide a comprehensive and evidence-based coordinated response of the health sector adaptation needs to climate change adaptation needs of African countries in order to support the commitments and priorities of African governments. The main objective of the Seychelles National Climate Change and Health Adaptation Plan of Action is to minimize the adverse public health effects of climate change. The specific objectives are: a) To identify health risks associated with climate change in Seychelles b) To strengthen core national capacities that enable health systems to prepare for and effectively respond to climate change threats to human helath c) To facilitate the implementation of integrated essential public health and environment intventions for the management of both short and long term helath risks resulting from climate change d) To facilitated operational and applied research on health adaptation needs and solutions e) To disseminate lessons learnt and experiences in order to facilitate the implementation of adaptation strategies in other sectors. 4

11 Methodology The implementation of the Framework is a joint responsibility of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and other relevant ministries, under the context of the Health and Environment Strategic Alliance. To develop this plan of action, the task group consisted of multi-sectoral professionals with different expertise coming from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and Energy and Ministry of Education and WHO. For this purpose, the Annex II template of WHO was used as guidelines to support the implementation of the National Health Adaptation to Climate Change Process (HNAP). The review was grouped in two categories: ongoing and supplementary activities. Ongoing activities already exist and are being implemented in various public health and environment programmes. Supplementary activities are those that will further support resilience and public health adaptation to climate change and require additional planning; the focus of this Plan of Action Each of the seven components was evaluated in the Seychelles context based on the expected results defined under the regional framework. With contributions and much brainstorming from the panel of experts, Seychelles HNAP and Macro budget was finalized.( Table 1) Table 1: Implementation Matrix for Component 1: Risk and capacity atablessessment Expected results On-going activities Supplementary activities Time frame Climate sensitive environmental risk factors to human health identified and risk levels Assessment of climate change sensitive risks to human health (SANA); Undertake assessment to identify climate sensitive risk factors and climate sensitive diseases to human Q1-Q2 5 Responsible institutions Suggested milestones and further details to be considered when designing the HNAP Climate sensitive risk factors and climate sensitive diseases to human health identified (linkages between health outcomes and climate factors) Nutritional aspects, food-borne diseases, Water- Budget ( US$)

12 determined health borne diseases, Air-borne and respiratory diseases, Occupational diseases, Extreme weather events (e.g. extreme temperatures, droughts, floods) Baseline situation of national capacities for the sound management of identified risks established Gaps in core capacities identified Preliminary studies on the effect of climate change on some sensitive risks/ conditions National profiles on general capacities and capacity gaps available under personnel management Identification of Human and technology needs assessment for climate sensitive diseases Identification of human and technology needs assessment for measuring meteorological factors Use of harmonized regional methodologies for vulnerability, risk and capacity assessment Baselines for nationally prioritized climate-sensitive diseases established Assess capacity gaps for human resources and technological needs for management of early warning information on climate sensitive diseases Establish early warning systems for accurate forecasting of rainfall and other climate factors Q1-Q2 Q1-Q2 Q1-Q2 Q1-Q2 Comprehensive health vulnerability and adaptation assessment (V&A) conducted Capacity assessment conducted, including technical, organizational (human and financial resources) and institutional capacities, evaluation report on the implementation status of national plans for the development of human resources for health Capacity gaps for human resources and technological needs for management of early warning information on climate sensitive diseases identified Human and technology needs for measuring meteorological factors identified $1,000,000 6

13 Component 2: Capacity building Expected results On-going activities National core Implementation capacities for of national sector the sound plans of action for management strengthening of public national health risks capacities in related to health (IDSR climate 2010) and change made meteorological available aspects Supplementary activities Prepare capacity-building plans specific to climate-change adaptation to fill the gaps identified from vulnerability assessments Curricula developed on health management of public health impact of climate change undertaken for country core team, tertiary institutions Train national experts, civil societies in various climate change and health areas including, meteorological early warning systems, environmental and public health risks management Provide equipment and supplies to respond to climate related health outcomes Time frame Q3-Q4 Q1-Q Responsible institutions / Int. Partners / Int. Partners Suggested milestones and further details to be considered when designing the HNAP Capacity building plans designed covering technical, organizational (human and financial resources) and institutional capacities Review and mainstream (integrate) climate, health and environmental linkages in curricula for postsecondary institutions Trainings on health impacts of climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessment conducted targeting public health research institutions All District health coordinators and regional public health officers trained on application of early warning information on key climate sensitive diseases, including vulnerability reduction Acquire and installation of weather radar system to capture rainfall density, wind speed and direction for micro-climatic variations Budget ( US$) $4,000,000 7

14 Component 3: Integrated environment and health surveillance Expected results On-going activities Supplementary activities Time frame Timely, evidencebased decisions are taken for the sound management of public health risks related to climate change Early-warning systems for management of environmental climate-sensitive risk factors in limited areas; such as flooding in low lying areas Ad hoc and limited surveillance of certain climate-sensitive environmental riskfactors: water quality, air quality in some areas Undertake eco-geological surveys to identify highly vulnerable areas to climate change Strengthen early-warning systems for the management of climatesensitive risk factors and climate sensitive diseases Undertake country-wide integrated surveillance of all identified climatesensitive risk factors and climatesensitive diseases Capacity of health sector institutions to respond to climatesensitive health risks based on early warning information improved Q3-Q4 Q1-Q Q3-Q Q3-Q Responsible institutions Suggested milestones and further details to be considered when designing the HNAP Highly vulnerable areas to climate change and variability identified An early warning and response system with timely information on likely incidence of climate-sensitive risk factors and climate sensitive diseases established and coordination with the DRR sector ensured climate-sensitive diseases are integrated in the IDSR surveillance system climate-sensitive risk factors are integrated in the environment surveillance system Relevant meteorological information for early warning provided periodically (seasonal weather predictions) Budget ( US$) Develop a platform to validation integrate, interpret and disseminate data from environmental and disease surveillance Mapping and strengthening existing processes and relevant stakeholders on EWS at national and regional level related to EWS (e.g. Climate- HEALTH Africa, GFCS, FEWSs) Q3-Q Platform to integrate, interpret and disseminate data from environmental and disease surveillance developed at national level Risk mapping and mapping of existing Early Warning Systems at national and regional levels Establishment of partnership with WMO and national meteorological services for the implementation of the EWRS under the GFCS framework and response systems $1,000,000 8

15 Component 4: Response Expected results On-going activities Supplementary activities Time frame Responsibl e Reduced public health impact of climate change Ad hoc environmental management with public health objectives for all new developments Awareness raising and educational activities for treatment and conservation of drinking water, through promotion of hygiene and sanitation in areas vulnerable to climate change impacts (flooding, drought) Updating of national contingency action plans in relation to environmental emergencies including climatechange induced disasters; management of the intersectoral coordination committee on disasters and emergencies On-going adaptation projects in some coastal areas Review and enforce regulations on environmental and health impact assessments in the context of climate change and health Revise and enforce regulations on main environmental determinants of health (air, water, food, housing and air) revised to reflect climate change and climate variability risks Review and update relevant public health programmes and undertake social mobilization and communication for behaviour change to take into consideration climate change adaptation to support resilience of local communities (e.g. climate resilient water-safety plans) Social mobilization interventions for safe nutrition; strengthen food safety programmes as well as promotion of breastfeeding Include and implement climate sensitive risk factors and related disaster risk reduction interventions in national disaster reduction plans; strengthening of national disaster management intersectoral coordination committee Scale-up climate proofing interventions for climate-sensitive health impacts: Strengthen early diagnosis and adequate treatment of climate sensitive conditions Identify on-going activities within relevant public health programmes that can contribute to climate change adaptation Q1-Q Q1-Q institutions Suggested milestones and further details to be considered when designing the HNAP Reviewed regulations to fully address impacts of climate change on public health Awareness raising activities on the health impacts of climate change and adaptation options conducted targeting general population Environmental management programmes, focusing on health oriented ecosystem services protection and promotion, promoted Climate sensitive disease prevention measures undertaken in areas of heightened health risk arising from climate change and variability Climate sensitive health risks included under national disaster reduction strategy and plans Relevant public health programmes and activities reviewed and updated to take into consideration climate change adaptation (e.g. communicable diseases, NCDs) Budget ( US$) $1,500,000 9

16 Component 5: Research Expected results On-going activities Supplementary activities Time frame Local knowledge on climate healthrisk factors, their management and indigenous adaptation strategies documented and disseminated Climate change adaptation research undertaken by multiple institutions, but uncoordinated and with limited use of results Establish research and policy dialogue to guide development and implementation of research agenda on climate change and health Establish national climate-change knowledge- management institution and networks and expertise to coordinate research activities and manage databases, and disseminate climate change and related health information Q1-Q Q1-Q Responsible institutions / UNISEY Suggested milestones and further details to be considered when designing the HNAP Research policy and guidelines on climate change and health established National research agenda on climate change and health defined and implemented Climate-change knowledge management institution to coordinate research activities, manage databases, and disseminate climate change and related health information identified/established Budget ( US$) Harness of indigenous knowledge on climate change and coping mechanism Promote community-based resilience measure for reduction of health-related risks Review/ update research performed in relation to public health adaptation to climate change Q1-Q4 / UNISEY / UNISEY Community participation in vulnerability reduction assessments and knowledge management promoted Research performed on public health adaptation to climate change reviewed/ updated $1,000,000 10

17 Component 6: Monitoring and evaluation Expected results On-going activities Supplementary activities Time frame Programme implemented effectively and in a timely manner Process, result and impact indicators of the programme assessed, documented and disseminated Annual progress reports Monitoring and evaluation of national disease control programmes as well as national action plans for environment protection A mixed policy and technical operations climate change committee in place with limited health representation First and second National communication to UNFCCC undertaken, with limited health inputs Prepare monitoring and evaluation framework of the implementation of the Health National Adaptation Plan Develop process, result and impact indicators for the programme (climate sensitive risk factors and health outcomes) at national level Revamp and restructure the program management to promote policy, resource mobilization and guide technical operations Prepare and disseminate project implementation quarterly reports and approved annual accounts Include key review on health perspectives in annual assessments and reporting to UNFCCC Q2-Q3 Q2-Q3 Q1-Q2 Quarterly And Annual reports Q1-Q2 Responsible institutions NCCC & TWC TWC / UNISEY NCCC & TWC Suggested milestones and further details to be considered when designing the HNAP Monitoring and evaluation procedures and annual work plans in place Process, results and impact indicators for health vulnerability to climate change and health systems resilience at national level developed High level Inter-agency representation in the National Climate Coordination Committee (NCCC) and terms of reference developed and adopted Specific terms of reference adopted and multidisciplinary National Climate Change Technical Working Committee (TWC) in place Project implementation quarterly reports and approved annual accounts disseminated Identify responsible unit/section to channel and process all health related UNFCCC annual assessments and communication Budget ( US$) $1,000,000 11

18 Component 7: Management and coordination Expected results On-going activities Supplementary activities Time frame Programme expected results are achieved Country Task Teams for the Libreville Declaration Fragmented ad hoc resource mobilization Develop coordination mechanism for health and environment issues between the Country Task Team on Libreville implementation and the Climate Change and Health Technical working Committee Promote advocacy and awareness for continued government allocation of resources for public-health adaptation to climate change Strengthen national capacity for accessing global climate change funding Undertake systematic and comprehensive resource mobilization and logistics management activities to support national action plan by preparing and submitting proposals to access climate change funding Q1-Q2 Q1-Q2 Q1-Q2 Q1-Q4 Responsible institutions TWC & CTT / / UNISEY NCCC & TWC Suggested milestones and further details to be considered when designing the HNAP Coordination mechanism between Country Task Team on Libreville implementation and the Climate Change and Health Technical working Committee developed Create specific National budget line to address climate change public health adaptation Process established on how to access global funds for health adaptation to climate change (i.e. existing entry points to access global climate finance for health adaptation) Support national advisory stakeholders policy dialogue forum Budget ( US$) $500,000 12

19 Table 2: Gantt chart For Implementing Component Expected results Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 1. Risk and capacity assessment Climate sensitive environmental risk factors to human health identified and risk levels determined Baseline situation of national capacities for the sound management of identified risks established Gaps in core capacities identified 2. Capacity building Prepare capacity-building plans specific to climate-change adaptation to fill the gaps identified from vulnerability assessments Curricula developed on health management of public health impact of climate change undertaken for country core team, tertiary institutions Train national experts, civil societies in various climate change and health areas including, meteorological early warning systems, environmental and public health risks management Provide equipment and supplies to respond to climate related health outcomes 3. Integrated Timely, evidence-based decisions are environment and taken for the sound management of health surveillance public health risks related to climate change 4. Response Reduced public health impact of climate change 5. Research Local knowledge on climate healthrisk factors, their management and indigenous adaptation strategies documented and disseminated 6. Monitoring and evaluation 7. Management and coordination Programme implemented effectively and in a timely manner Process, result and impact indicators of the programme assessed, documented and disseminated Annual progress reports Country Task Teams for the Libreville Declaration 13

20 Budget Summary Seychelles HNAP Macro budget (10mil. $) Component Risk and capacity assessment Capacity building Integrated environment and health surveillance Response Research Monitoring and evaluation Management and coordination Total $ 1,000,000 4,000,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 1,000, ,000 10,000,000 % 10% 40% 10% 15% 10% 10% 5% 100% Seychelles HNAP Macro budget (10mil.$) Monitoring and evaluation 10% Research 10% Response 15% Management and coordination 5% Risk and capacity assessment 10% Capacity building 40% Integrated environment and health surveillance 10% 14

21 Conclusions The Seychelles National Climate Change and Health Adaptation Plan provides a reference point for multi-sectoral management of climate sensitive health risk factors impacting on climate sensitive disease. Financing and implementation of this plan costed at US$ 10 million over five years is hence a joint responsibility of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and energy, and other relevant partners including international and civil organizations. 15

22 Bibliography 1. Country Task Team, Seychelles National Plan of Joint Action for the Implementation of the Libreville Declaration on Health and Environment in Africa 2. Country Task Team, Seychelles Situation Analysis and Need Assessment Report of Libreville Declaration Government of Seychelles, Seychelles Sustainable Development Strategy , Volume 1 & 2 4. The Seychelles National Climate Change Committee, November Seychelles Climate Change Strategy 5. UNEP, Africa Environment Outlook-3 report 6. National Statistics Bureau, Seychelles in Figures 7. National Statistics Bureau, Population and Vital Statistics. 8. WHO/UNEP, The Libreville Declaration on Health and Environment in Africa, 9. WHO, Africa Regional framework on Public Health Adaptation to Climate Change ( ) 16

23 Annex: Districts in Seychelles 17