After an incredibly busy 2015, the LTFHC/WAVE is poised to launch into an impactful 2016 with a series of exciting programs, from direct service provision to critical infrastructure improvements affecting communities in the Lake Tanganyika Basin, and beyond:
Innovation in Malaria Control: In January, we will begin the first phase of our extensive research into bed net misuse and alternative vector control methods in water-based communities– a scoping exercise to gather extensive cross-sectoral baseline data that includes public health, socio-economic, fisheries, and environmental indicators in at least 65 villages along the Congolese coast of Lake Tanganyika.
Access Lake Tanganyika: Facilitated by the LTFHC/WAVE and supported by British Telecom and other telecom partners, this exciting public-private partnership to bring a comprehensive mobile network to the Lake Tanganyika Basin plans to conduct its first partners’ planning meeting in conjunction with the GSMA Mobile World Conference in February in Barcelona.
Continued Radio Network Expansion: We will expand our HF radio network to 18 additional remote health centers in the DRC, impacting an estimated 150,000 people where needs are most acute. We also have plans to develop and pilot a user-friendly medical informatics tablet application in cooperation with our tech partners.
Extending Family Planning to Kigoma Region: Year Two of our comprehensive contraception program, funded by Hivos International, will support family planning education, health care worker training, and long- and short-term contraception distribution in rural Kigoma, Tanzania.
Water Purification: Supported by P&G, we will begin a substantial distribution of water purification materials to remote areas in the DRC. These efforts will coincide with other LTFHC water, sanitation, and hygiene programming.
Water-based Health Care: Have We Missed the Boat? We will release our next white paper in 2016. This paper will provide an overview of issues facing the hundreds of millions of people who live near water and highlight innovative approaches to make the case for a new model of health care for littoral and coastal communities.
If you have not yet given in 2015, please consider a U.S. or U.K tax-deductible donation today to help us carry out these activities.
Thank you again for your support. Cheers to 2016!
