Integration of health, population and environment programs in Madagascar : midterm progress report

Rapid destruction of Madagascar's forests and ecological corridors, coupled with a growing population, initiated USAID's efforts to assist non-governmental organizations, united under the name Voahary Salama, to link and integrate health, population and environment (natural resource management) delivery approaches. USAID supported the implementation of integrated activities in 120 Malagasy communities to increase family planning, practice less destructive natural resource management methods, increase food production, use forest resources in more sustainable ways, cross-train field agents in both population and environment, and work with schools to educate students on the environment and reproductive health. Key activities were :  1) building an enabling environment through local partnerships and organizational development; 2) developing and testing models for integrating population, health and environment;  3) providing support to NGOs for program implementation; and 4) monitoring, evaluation and operations research.

This report summarizes progress from 1999 - 2001 in planning and implementing these activities, and emphasizes the fact that community water supply, safe water, sanitation and hygiene plays a major role in improving healthy living conditions for all. These first two years focused on developing the conceptual framework, establishing the local office, developing and testing model approaches, conducting a baseline study and supporting the  Voahary Salama partnership, a consortium of funding, technical support and implementing partners, working on integrating health, population and environmental activities in Madagascar. Although the dissemination has begun, most of the work is scheduled in the last year of the activities, when results will be clear.