Situation Analysis and Needs Assessment in Rwanda Air Pollution, Occupational Safety and Health, and Climate Change Dr Etienne RUGIGANA Dr Theoneste NTAKIRUTIMANA Regional Workshop on Planning for the Global Environmental and Occupational Health (GEOHealth) Hub for Interdisciplinary Research and Training Project Sheraton Hotel; Kampala Uganda; 22 April 2015

Objectives of the situational analysis and needs assessment to assess the health effect of environmental exposures related to air pollution (both indoor and outdoor) and to identify the most critical gaps in these areas to assess the existing country profile on occupational health and safety and to identify the most critical gaps in these areas to assess the health effect of climate change and to identify the most critical gaps in these areas Document and identify critical gaps in policy, regulatory and organizational frameworks

Methodology Document and literature review of both gray and peer-reviewed publications: Line Ministries including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Natural Resources and Ministry of Disasters Management and Refugee Affairs. Authorities related to thematic areas, including the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) Academic Institutions, including the University of Rwanda, School of Public Health

Situational Analysis: Air Pollution and Health The rapid urbanization of Kigali City was accompanied by a tremendous increase in the flow of fuel wood and charcoal. In Rwanda, more than 80 percent of the population principally comprising the rural poor are exposed to dangerous levels of Indoor Air Pollution It has been found that over 85% of Rwandans depend on wood for domestic energy because alternative sources of energy are unreliable and unaffordable for the majority of Rwandans, leading to extensive deforestation

Situational Analysis: Air Pollution and Health The fuel wood inflow has increased by 87% from the annual supply of 8,776,080 kg in October 1999 to 15,321,600 kg in September 2004. At the same time, the charcoal flows into Kigali have increased by 95% from the annual supply of 2,031,934 kg in October 1999 to 3,960,600kg in October 2004. Throughout Rwanda, the main sources of lighting energy are firewood (52 %) and charcoal (39.5 %) are by far the main sources of energy used,. The percentage increase of the prices from 1995 to 2005 represents 600% for firewood and 1250% for charcoal. It manifests that the demand for wood resources is exceeding an exhausted supply and the situation will continue to decline as far as no measures are taken by the Government to reverse that situation.

Need assessment/ gap: Air Pollution and Health Limited institutional capacity and technical infrastructure such as funding, equipment and human resource have been identified. The regulatory regime on air pollution control and reduction still has to be improved in Rwanda. Limited information is another challenge due to the lack of systematic quantitative assessment of the magnitude of the air quality due to inadequate capacity and resources The level of public awareness on the air pollution problems and associated adverse effect to human health and environment is still low.

Situational Analysis: Climate change and Health 1. Increase in average annual temperatures During the past 36 years, the average annual temperature in Kigali has increased gradually by 0.9 ºC (from 19.8 ºC in 1971 to 20.7 ºC in 2007) 2. Irregular and unpredictable rainfall irregular and unpredictable rainfall patterns, with less weather predictability for farmers an increase in more extreme rainfall events leads to the increase of floods , landslides, loss of human being, assets etc. prolonged periods without rain and an extension of the dry season (decennial drought 1991-2000) tendency towards progressively shorter rainy seasons

FLOODS IN NYABIHU DISTRICT, RWANDA

Needs Assessment/Gaps: Climate Change Inadequate capacity of Environmental Health and climate change personnel in terms of numbers and trainings Inadequate funding of Environmental Health & Climate Change Services The responsibility for climate change services in Rwanda is currently shared between various ministries and government agencies Fragmented policy framework and weak coordination

Situational Analysis: Occupational safety and Health The Government of Rwanda has put in place National legislation promoting Occupational Safety and Health at workplace Rwandan Constitution of 2003 as amended to date which in its article 49 determines that every citizen is entitled to a Healthy and satisfying OSH; Law no 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating Labour in Rwanda, in its articles 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, and 96, on Health and Safety at Workplace; Laws enacted by the government of Rwanda promote the improvement of workplace, well-being of workers, Social Security and Health etc. Measures have been set to mitigate hazards at workplace Occupational safety health inspections done by the ministry of labor and public service Installation fire extinguishers in every institution, public places, markets, schools, shops Medical insurance that allows employees to get medical treatment in case of any health threat. (RSSB insurance, Private health insurances)

Situational Analysis: Occupational safety and Health (cont’) Rwanda has ratified several regional and International conventions related to Occupational Safety and Health. These include: ILO Convention n°12 on Workmen's Compensation (Agriculture), 1921 ; ILO Convention n°17 on Workmen's Compensation (Accidents), 1925; ILO Convention n°18 on Workmen's Compensation (Occupational Diseases), 1925; ILO Convention n°19 on Equality of Treatment (Accident Compensation), 1925; ILO Convention n°42 on Workmen's Compensation (Occupational Diseases) (Revised), 1934; ILO Convention n°62 on Safety Provisions (Building), 1937; ILO Convention n° 118 on Equality of Treatment (Social Security), 1962; and ILO Convention n° 81 on Labour Inspection, 1947.

Needs Assessment/Gaps: Occupational Safety and Health Improving the knowledge and skills of OSH personnels Advocating for the integration of OSH in National Curriculum; Integrating Health and Safety into vocational, professional and inspectorate training arrangements; Encouraging development of suitable OSH training resources; Researching improved methods of OSH skills development; Exploring partnerships between areas concerned with Public and Occupational Health; Improving communication with National and International OHS research bodies; Developing Rwanda National Standards of Occupational Competence in OSH

Conclusion/Recommendations The results of situation analyses and need assessment for Air pollution, Climate Change, occupational safety and Health show a number of common problems/ gaps weak coordination between implementing institutions Financial Constraints Lack of trainings in OSH, air pollution and climate change Insufficient of skilled professionals in the aforementioned areas

Thank you!!! Murakoze!