USAID RDM/A Regional Environment Office Weekly Report Week Ending February 22, 2008

Philippines and Indonesia Establish Twinning Relationship on Improved Sanitation 
With support from USAID, senior officials from Indonesia and the Philippines established a “twinning” arrangement on developing effective national sanitation policies and practices.   On February 18-19, an Indonesian delegation visited Manila to participate in intergovernmental discussions on sharing experience in developing new sanitation policies and practices.  The Indonesia delegation also participated in the Philippines launch of the International Year of Sanitation, held n Mandaluyong City and hosted by Mayor Benjamin Abalos, Jr.  The observational program also included visits to a wastewater testing laboratory and a public market hybrid treatment system in Muntinlupa City.

Philippine Government Launches International Year of Sanitation 
With support from USAID, the Philippine government, international organizations and other stakeholders joined hands to launch the International Year of Sanitation in the Philippines on February 18, 2008.  One launch highlight was Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque’s declaration that the country has made significant progress in achieving its Millennium Development Goal targets.  Throughout the year, participating organizations will organize a series of activities, including stakeholder meetings in Makati City and Visayas-Mindanao, and the second national sanitation summit, as well as various training programs and workshops. The United Nations designated 2008 the International Year of Sanitation to promote improved hygiene practices and action to provide proper sanitation for the 2.6 billion people who lack access to this basic human right.

USAID-sponsored training helps Indonesia fight wildlife crime and protects biodiversity 
Senior field officers from the Indonesian National Police (INP) have undergone special training in detecting and arresting organized crime syndicates who are looting its national forests.  Indonesian Police officers are joining Forestry and Customs officers for two and one-half weeks of the Wildlife Crime Investigation Course at the INP’s Criminal Investigations Training Center in Bogor, West Java.  The course was developed by the Indonesian government in consultation with the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN), and with support from US government wildlife law enforcement officers and two international conservation organizations, Wildlife Alliance and TRAFFIC.  The course is co-sponsored by the Indonesian National Police and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  Wildlife Alliance and its local partner PeunPa, together with TRAFFIC, are providing technical support for the course through the USAID-Sponsored ASEAN-WEN Support Program.