For Immediate Release
Press Release
Today, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with FHI 360, hosted a side meeting on “Dataquest: Advancing Knowledge and Action at the Environment/Climate and Health Nexus” at the Prince Mahidol Award Conference (PMAC) 2023.
The event unpacked the complex relationships between health, climate change, environment, and biodiversity. Experts from global and regional organizations, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), EcoHealth Alliance, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), USAID, and FHI 360 shared field-tested innovations, models, and tools to generate and use data pertaining to the environment/climate-health nexus.
Dr. Karen M. St. Germain, Director, Earth Science Division, NASA, delivered a keynote statement highlighting the significant role that geospatial data and technologies plays in supporting decision-making in natural resource management, natural disaster mitigation and response, and adaptation to the impacts of climate change. USAID’s Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA), in partnership with NASA, recently launched SERVIR-Southeast Asia, a joint initiative supporting governments, regional institutions, and communities in Southeast Asia countries to use publicly available satellite data to prepare for and respond to disasters, manage natural resources, and improve food security. SERVIR-Southeast Asia builds on the success of the eight-year SERVIR-Mekong activity that trained more than 1,500 people, mobilized more than $500,000, and developed 21 tools to enhance climate adaptation and mitigation in the region.
During the panel discussion, Bhushan Tuladhar, Chief of Party of the USAID Clean Air program in Nepal, implemented by FHI 360, shared how the project uses citizen science to combat air pollution by installing air quality sensors that generate data across 18 municipalities in the Kathmandu valley. The project supports government, civil society, and the private sector in identifying, testing and scaling up local solutions to the poor air quality in the Kathmandu valley, and equips them with knowledge and skills to make data-backed decisions that improve the health of the environment and of the local population.
Dr. Catherine Machalaba, Principal Scientist of Health and Policy at EcoHealth Alliance underlined the intersection of human and environmental health. She stated “Through available data, the health and environment communities must work together to shape more preventive solutions with a range of sectors, including early warning systems and actions to reduce the risk of climate-sensitive infectious diseases and protect biodiversity. Scientists, governments, industry, consumers, communities and multilateral organizations all have a meaningful role to play in sustainable development that promotes the health of our environment and our own species.”
At the plenary session, USAID/RDMA and FHI 360 reiterated their commitments to work with communities, regional institutions, governments and other key stakeholders in sharing and translating data into better decision-making and solutions, as well as transitioning from knowledge to action within the climate-health nexus in the Asia-Pacific region.
About USAID
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the world's premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID's work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. Please visit www.usaid.gov/asia-regional or @USAIDAsia on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
About FHI 360
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender equality, youth, research, technology, communication and social marketing — creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries and all U.S. states and territories. Please visit www.fhi360.org for more information.