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  Southern Africa
   
Monthly Updates

                                August 2007

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  Recent Work

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    • Component 1

       

    • Finalized the contract for the Executive Secretary for OKACOM and facilitated the signing of the contract by the Executive Secretary and OKACOM.

    • In collaboration with KPMG conducted a tender proposal selection process for renovation and refurbishment of the Secretariat Office in Maun.

    • Produced draft terms of reference for the Institutional Task Force and sent them to OBSC for comments.

    • Traveled to Maun on a reconnaissance exercise with Dr. Eben Chonguica, the Executive Secretary for OKACOM.

    • Prepared a paper for presentation at a workshop on the establishment of river basin commissions, the paper was presented by Mr. Gabaake Gabaake, OKACOM Commissioner Botswana.

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    Component 2

     

    • Conducted a mammals and vegetation reconnaissance in an important wetland system that may serve as a case study for rehabilitation along the Kavango River. 
    • Reviewed and processed data on hippo presence along the Kavango River that the Mucusso Team collected.
    • Reviewed and processed data from mammal and vegetation surveys conducted in the south-western portion of the Mucusso reserve. 
    • Prepared detailed designs for an aerial survey of the Mucusso Reserve, including the geographic location of all transects for different intensity information gathering at key locations. 
    • Conducted training of local biodiversity team leader in accounting and financial administration
    • Brought Director and Financial Administrator of the Menongue-based NGO ACADIR to Mucusso to experience field work, conduct training and participate in team meetings with local Mucusso team.
    • Identified local builders for Community Environmental Center construction, visited several example buildings in Namibia for consideration in design, prepared design of community center and detailed budget.     
    • Acquired and georeferenced topographic maps for the Kavango and Caprivi regions of Namibia.
    • Acquired and processed fire data for months of July and August in the Mucusso Reserve

     Component 3

    • Produced the first phase of the materials for the launching community projects for Bairro-Azul and Luka.  Materials include posters and fact sheets.
    • Completed the design of stickers for the honey development activities for the Ndumbo community.
    • Completed the draft programme for the launching of the community projects.
    • Facilitated the installation of the generator and pump, water treatment has commenced.
     

     

     

     

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                              Planned Work :

 

  • Component 1

     

    • Award the contract for the refurbishment of the Secretariat Office and ensure the work commences.
    • Complete the facilitation for the Botswana National Coordinating Unit (NCU)
    • Provide upon request logistical support for the TPR/PSC meeting for the GEF/EPSMO Project
    • Launch the enhanced version of the OKACOM website
    • Restructure the ISS database
    • Complete the handbook for the Secretariat on the provision of secretariat services to OKACOM
    • Facilitate the constitution of the Institutional Task Force
    • Facilitate the procurement of utility services for the Secretariat Office
    • Provide support in the recruitment of finance and communication specialists for the OKACOM Secretariat.
     

    Component 2

     

    • Pending approvals from all levels of the Angolan government in a timely manner, conduct aerial survey of large to medium mammals in the Mucusso Reserve of South/East Angola, including organization of logistics, fuel, technical team, and daily recording of data. 
    • Conduct additional studies in wetlands of the Cuito / Kubango system to gather information on important habitats and vegetation. 
    • Begin construction of the poles and thatch roof for the main building of a Community Environmental Center on the Kubango River in Angola. Continue community collection of grass in Angola. 
    • Review all field data from ground surveys in South/East Angola collected to-date, and incorporate into the Mucusso GIS Database.     
    • National Director of Hydrology to visit Menongue to coordinate with local government on hydrologic monitoring activities
    • Purchase a vehicle for the Component 2 activities

     

    Component 3

    • Complete the fact sheet on the tree species for Ndumbo
    • Complete the development of the community programme brochure.  The draft is already in place.

     

    Management

     

    • Produce the Fourth Annual Workplan
     

                     

                            Planned IRBM Travel: 

 

 

Component 2

 

During the month of September Ms. Brenda Bergman the Biodiversity and Hydrology Component Coordinator will travel to Southern Angola, Northern Namibia and Maun Botswana for continued work on biodiversity assessments in the region.

 

Dr. Scott McCormick, COP, will participate in a SADC TFCA workshop in Johannesburg on September 23-25.