2014 – Improving capacities to eliminate and prevent recurrence of obsolete pesticides as a model for tackling unused hazardous chemicals in the former Soviet Union

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The project is funded by the European Union (EU) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). Working with international and local partner organisations, and the Secretariat to the Rotterdam Convention, the project is seeking to cover twelve countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, The Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Currently, the project is operational in six former Soviet Republics – Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, and Ukraine.

In Armenia, the activities related to awareness raising on (obsolete) pesticides started on 15 August 2014 and will be accomplished by 14 May, 2015. The local project partner for this part of the project is AWHHE NGO.

The activities on awareness raising have two components and are implemented by AWHHE in coordination with FAO and jointly with the following partners:
• Milieukontakt International, the Netherlands
• Pesticide Action Network – the United Kingdom (PAN-UK)

Component 1: Awareness raising on Obsolete Pesticides
This project component is implemented in partnership with Milieukontakt International in the frame of “Improved pesticides and chemicals management in the former Soviet Union” project (http://milieukontakt.net/en/?p=1600 ).

AWHHE will conduct an awareness raising campaign on obsolete pesticides in 20 villages in four target regions (Tavush, Lori, Gegharkunik and Syunik) based on the results of a baseline study on farmers, local village people (most specifically women and children), community organizations, regional and national public agencies.

Component 2: Awareness raising on Pesticide Use
This project component is implemented in the frame of “Reducing pesticide risks and promoting alternatives in the former Soviet Union” project by PAN UK (http://www.pan-uk.org/projects/pan-uk-project-reducing-pesticide-risks-and-promoting-alternatives-in-the-former-soviet-union)

AWHHE conducted a baseline study on pesticide exposure in Armenia which captured data concerning high risk practices and exposure scenarios with a particular focus on women. This data was used to inform communications and awareness raising activity, to strengthen regulatory decision-making and to prepare for more in-depth studies of pesticide poisoning and its causes in the higher risk communities identified.

PAN-UK staff, accompanied by Rotterdam Convention Secretariat, recently visited Armenia to initiate the baseline study jointly with AWHHE. Detailed information is provided below:

For more information on the project please visit project website 
http://www.fao.org/in-action/pesticides-fsu/en/