Research Results (CC) / Résultats de recherches (CC)
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Item General assessment of immunocompetence by nutritional classification(Centro Internacional de Investigaciones Médicas?, Cali?, 1982) Fundación Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas; Saravia, N.G.Item New pathways to resilience : outcomes of the climate change adaptation in Africa research and capacity building program 2006-2012(Climate Change Adaptation in Africa (CCAA), Ottawa, ON, 2012) O’Neill, MaryThis report draws on conclusions found in the final report and evaluation of Climate Change Adaptation in Africa. It also integrates available online resources in an interactive summary, along with results from the program. The report is structured into five sections: Starting points; Foundations; Outcomes; People; Legacy. Throughout this report, links are embedded to program and project resources, with directions for delving further into its scientific findings. Internal links allow navigation from many directions. Evaluation findings indicate that the project succeeded in building a range of capacities among African researchers, communities, and organizations, but less so those of decision-makers.Item Public perception and economic implications of bottled water consumption in underprivileged urban areas(Springer, 2012-07) Massoud, M.A.; Maroun, R.; Abdelnabi, H.; Jamali, I.I.; El-Fadel, M.This paper presents a comparative assessment of public perception of drinking water quality in two underprivileged urban areas in Lebanon and Jordan with nearly similar cultural and demographic characteristics. It compares the quality of bottled water to the quality of the drinking water supplied through the public network and examines the economic implications of bottled water consumption in the two study areas. Participants' perception of the quality of drinking water provided via the public network was generally negative, and bottled water was perceived to be of better quality in both areas, thus affecting drinkingwater preferences and consumption patterns. The results reveal that the quality of bottled water is questionable in areas that lack enforcement of water quality standards, thus adding to the burden of an already disadvantaged community. Both areas demonstrated a considerable cost incurred for purchasing bottled water in low income communities reaching up to 26 % of total income.Item Environmental health risks in disadvantaged urban slums(2013) Maroun, R.; El-Fadel, M.This paper assesses diarrhea occurrence in two urban slums to identify salient factors influencing case prevalence. Rapid urbanization in settings of poor economic performance and governance has increased the number of people living in urban slums to about 1 billion people worldwide. In this study, water quality analysis showed contamination at the household level due primarily to the location of water storage tanks. Significant difference in diarrhea cases in both study areas correlated with the educational level of household head, financial status, type of water storage tank and cleaning frequency, along with adoption of measures to treat water, or use bottled water.Item Social cost benefit analysis of water and sanitation improvement in a poor urban slum(Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, American University of Beirut, LB, 2013) El‐Fadel, M.; Maroun, R.; Alameddine, M.; Mawla, D.A health-based socio-economic assessment as well as side-by-side social cost benefit analysis is depicted in this visual synopsis of research carried out in a suburban slum in Tripoli, Lebanon. 88% of reported diarrheal cases are attributed to unsafe water supply, inadequate sanitation and hygiene, with cases distributed uniformly throughout the year. The poster includes field observations, and a selection of alternative interventions with estimated costs. Installing rooftop tanks and replacing water piping at the household level are the most economically viable interventions.Item Socio-economics of water quality as a development catalyst in poor urban slums(2013) Maroun, Rania; Mawla, Darine; El-Fadel, MutasemLack of access to safe water supply and adequate sanitation services is directly linked to the livelihoods and incomes of the urban poor, with impacts on health and ability to earn, thus exacerbating poverty. This study assesses the socio-economic burden of water quality in a poor urban slum (Tripoli, Lebanon) in terms of increased morbidity and premature mortality using various econometric tools. Results indicate need for targeted interventions at the household and slum levels. Based on an economic benefit analysis, this research can be used by stakeholders to justify infrastructure investment and to pressure decision-makers towards the same purpose.Item Development of a groundwater quality index for seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers(Elsevier, 2014) Tomaszkiewicz, M.; Abou Najm, Majdi; El-Fadel, M.Coastal aquifers are increasingly threatened by seawater intrusion due to increased urbanization, groundwater exploitation, and global sea-level rise. Pattern diagrams, which constitute the outcome of several hydro-geochemical processes, have traditionally been used to characterize vulnerability to seawater intrusion. However, the formats of such diagrams do not facilitate the geospatial analysis of groundwater quality, thus limiting the ability of spatio-temporal mapping and monitoring. This raises the need to transform the information from current pattern diagrams into a format that can be readily used under a GIS framework to define vulnerable areas prone to seawater intrusion. In this study, a groundwater quality index specific to seawater intrusion (GQISWI) was developed for the purpose of aggregating data into a comprehensible format that allows spatial analysis. The index was evaluated with data from various coastal regions worldwide and then applied at a pilot karstic aquifer along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.Item Determinants of diarrhea prevalence in urban slums : a comparative assessment towards enhanced environmental management(Springer, 2014) El-Fadel, M.; Maroun, R.; Quba'a, R.; Mawla, D.; Sayess, R.; Massoud, M.A.; Jamali, I.This study relies on a comparative assessment of diarrhea occurrence in two urban slums to identify salient factors influencing case prevalence. Primary data were collected from both areas using a structured closed-ended questionnaire coupled with bottled and public water quality sampling and analysis at households reporting diarrhea cases. The water quality analysis showed contamination at the household level due primarily to the location of water storage tanks, as well as in some brands of bottled water due to lack of enforcement of source monitoring. Descriptive statistics and chi-square distribution tests revealed significant difference in diarrhea cases in both study areas which was correlated with the educational level of household head, financial status, type of water storage tank, and corresponding cleaning frequency as well as the adoption of measures to treat water or the use of bottled water.Item Climate change and global health : a Latin American perspective(CAB International, 2014) Confalonieri, Ulisses; Poveda, Germán; Riojas, Horacio; Aparicio Effen, Marilyn; Quintão, Ana FláviaThe epidemiological profile of Latin America (LA) is marked by diseases of poverty and underdevelopment. Climate change is also reinforcing the intensity and frequency of climate variability, with more intense events, associated with either pole of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The chapter reviews increases in diseases and disease vectors due to climate stress and poverty, as well as some health protection measures that are beginning to be organized in Latin American countries. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is committed to supporting countries in the development of adaptation plans that promote health protection strategies.Item GIS-based assessment for the development of a groundwater quality index towards sustainable aquifer management(Springer, 2014) El-Fadel, M.; Tomaszkiewicz, M.; Adra, Y.; Sadek, S.; Abou Najm, MajdiThis study aims at developing Groundwater Quality Indices (GQIs) that constitute a reliable tool in defining aquifer vulnerability. For this purpose, water quality sampling campaigns were conducted on 60 groundwater wells during most vulnerable periods of early and late summer to ensure the representativeness of the targeted GQI under worst case conditions. The samples were tested for various water quality indicators, which were then used to develop the GQIs through GIS-based mapping with spatial geostatistical analysis. The results contribute in filling a gap in GQI definition and form a basis for planning effective water quality management towards sustainable exploitation of groundwater resources particularly during summer periods when recharge is limited.Item Saltwater intrusion in karst aquifers along the Eastern Mediterranean(2014) El-Fadel, Mutasem; Rachid, Grace; Alameddine, Ibrahim; Abu Najm, MajdiConcentration data exhibited large spatial variability in salinity levels across districts with Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels ranging from a low of 400 to as high as 29,000 ppm. Groundwater chemistry, ionic relationships, hydro-chemical diagrams and groundwater quality indices (GQI) were used to delineate saltwater intrusion (SWI) hotspots. Results of this study can help assess the extent and intensity of SWI and improve existing policy planning and management tools for coastal aquifers. Despite widespread studies of SWI, its investigation in karst aquifers remains limited, particularly in view of the challenges in understanding, characterization, as well as modeling of karst aquifers.Item Maximising the potential of migrants and remittances to build climate-resilient economic and social development in Senegal and Tajikistan(2014-01-20)The challenges of climate change, along with limited employment and income opportunities make internal and external labour migration the most widespread and effective livelihood alternative for many vulnerable people in Senegal and Tajikistan. A comparison study of the two countries, where remittances are a major source of revenue, show migrants becoming key actors in local development. By creating a formal collaborative framework between government and civil society, the national governments of Senegal and Tajikistan would help to develop coherent migration policies, fostering inclusive economic development.Item Deltas : present and future(2014-02-12)This one-page poster/policy brief addresses policy gaps around environmental risk, climate change adaptation, and migration related to deltas. It advocates for early infrastructure protection and capital investment as more effective and less costly actions than having to remediate post-disaster. Appropriate legislative frameworks will support effective policy implementation.Item Integrating climate change into businesses plans in Senegal : how collaborative research has increased private sector engagement : story of change(2014-02-20) Ehode, Lancelot Soumelong; Diop, Mamadou; Sisodia, Rajeshree; Ambrose, KaiaThis story of change illustrates how Pathways to Resilience in Semi-Arid Economies (PRISE) project develops new approaches for delivering climate information and knowledge. The private sector plays a critical role in contributing to developing countries’ growth and development efforts, and is increasingly recognised as a key actor in climate change adaptation. High quality information is required to accompany decision-making processes. A revised engagement strategy has increased interactions between Innovation, Environnement, Developpement en Afrique (IED Afrique) research team and key private sector stakeholders, including the Regional Chamber of Trade and the Directorate of Small and Medium Enterprises.Item Developing innovative tools to measure climate resilience(2014-02-20) PRISEA household survey followed 600 families in three Kyrgyzstan provinces. Pathways to Resilience in Semi-Arid Economies (PRISE) research explores people’s self-assessment of their own resilience (known as ‘subjective assessment’) in search of succinct and accurate climate-resilience indicators. Researchers asked communities to report their level of well-being in a ‘typical’ year when experiencing less severe shocks and stressors, and in a ‘difficult’ year, when experiencing one or more severe events. They also asked which stressors people were most concerned about in the future and to rate their ability to cope with such events.Item Outcome mapping : how PRISE assesses its contribution towards 'research into use'(2014-02-20) PRISEThis two-page brief reports on Pathways to Resilience in Semi-Arid Economies (PRISE). PRISE research adopts a policy and development-first approach to engaging decision-makers in governments, businesses and trade bodies. The paper focuses on uptake/influence by stakeholders for policy and practice, also referred to in the programme as “research in use.” The Outcome Mapping (OM) process highlights and assesses changes among key stakeholders and their engagement with PRISE research, how PRISE contributed to these changes, and to inform and improve PRISE stakeholder engagement and ‘Research into Use’ (RiU) activities.Item Migration futures in Asia and Africa : climate change and climate-resilient economic development – insights from Pakistan(2014-02-20) Hyder, Asma; PRISEPolicies facilitating planned migration could support improved climate adaptation for migrant families, and mitigate their risk of displacement. Future climate projections for Pakistan show an increase in temperature throughout the country and a decrease in rainfall in the monsoon belt, which is mainly arid and semi-arid areas. These changes will directly affect agricultural productivity and increasingly drive people out of rural areas unless alternative economic opportunities are provided in villages. Local governments should enable expanding economic opportunities for women and reduce the risks of male out-migration on the rural economy.Item Transforming the beef value chain in northern Kenya : opportunities for the private sector(2014-02-20)The research aims to identify climate risk, adaptation options, and opportunities for private investment in the beef value chain in the semi-arid economies of Laikipia North, Kenya. The three steps for Value Chain Analysis for Resilience in Drylands (VC-ARID) are: 1) mapping the value chain; 2) assessing climate risks at each level of the value chain; 3) identifying adaptation and private sector investment options for climate-resilient value chain transformation. Policy recommendations are provided.Item From field research to policy engagement : enhancing parliamentary involvement in climate action(2014-02-20) Sustainable Development Policy Institute; PRISECreating policy impact through research and policy interface is one of the key objectives of Pathways to Resilience in Semi-Arid Economies (PRISE). This story of change highlights how Sustainable Development Policy Initiative (SDPI) changed its approach to stakeholder engagement and communication, which led to the identification and promotion of key stakeholders as champions of policy-to-action for PRISE research in Pakistan. SDPI joined with elected officials at the Ministry of Climate Change to focus on key climate issues facing Pakistan. The political economy plays a huge role in determining the uptake and implementation of research messages in Pakistan.Item How can ownership of and access to land drive climate-resilient economic development in Kenya's semi-arid lands?(2014-02-20) PRISEPastoralists and agro-pastoralists have been greatly impacted by the transformation from communal land to private ownership. County and national land use planners can provide critical support for climate-resilient pastoralist livelihoods through appropriate low-cost interventions such as wildlife or livestock corridors. The research explored the role of land ownership in reducing climate vulnerability and enhancing climate-resilient economic development in Kenya’s semi-arid lands (SAL). As well as climate change, pastoralists and agro-pastoralists face other drivers of change, including land tenure and land-use changes, population growth, sedentarization, rapid urbanization, globalization and conflict.