Terminal Evaluation of ''Prevention and Disposal of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Obsolete Pesticides in Eritrea'' Phase II

Pesticides have helped control disease and increase crop production for food security. However poor management of pesticides has shown negative impacts human health and the environment, including death and disability among users. Of particular concern are Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) that are highly effective in the control of the insect vectors of malaria and sleeping sickness and locusts. FAO supported by GEF implemented a POPs project in Eritrea to safeguard and dispose existing stocks of obsolete pesticides, as well as working to reduce risk across the pesticide lifecycle at the policy level. The evaluation found that one of project’s main success was the safeguarding and disposal of 364 tons of obsolete pesticides and its contribution to the nationwide adoption of FFS and IPM. In the future, the evaluation recommends that the Project Steering Committee, with the support of FAO should take steps to ensure that reducing the risk from pesticides remains a priority for the government.