Rwanda is among nine countries whose projects were approved for $2.2 million funding to help prevent the effects of mercury pollution. Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air, water and soil. Exposure to mercury – even small amounts – may cause serious health problems and is a threat to the development of the child before and after birth. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), inhaling mercury vapour can have harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs, kidneys and skin, and may be fatal. The inorganic salts of mercury are corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested. The funds were approved by the Governing Board of the Specific International Programme of Minamata Convention on Mercury that met online from August 9 to August 13 according to the statement by the Co-Chairs, Reggie Hernaus and Prasert Tapaneeyangkul. The Minamata Convention on mercury that Rwanda acceded in June 2017 was designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and release of mercury and mercury compounds. The nine successful projects were submitted by Rwanda, Burundi, Cuba, Gabon, India, Iran, Jordan, North Macedonia, and Senegal in a third round of application. Rwanda has secured 250 million from the approved funds. Patrick Muhoza in charge of international obligations at Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) said that the project follows other projects namely Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) and National Action Plan (NAP) projects to phase out mercury launched in August this year. Rwanda has so far conducted a preliminary national survey to map out different institutions and priority areas suspected to have mercury and mercury pollution. These include Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM), health sector (thermometers, tensiometers and dental amalgams), industry sector (butchery, paints) among others. The artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector, along with health, ICT, Transport, water and informal sectors were identified as priority sectors related to the use of mercury. The $2.2 million nine projects selected to be funded set out to support capacity-building and technical assistance in support of the implementation of their obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury. For the third round of application, 11 applications are from Africa, eight applications from Asia and the Pacific, one application from Central and Eastern Europe, and four applications from Latin America and the Caribbean. Of the twenty-four applications, three were from Small Island Developing States and eight from Least Developed Countries. One Small Island Developing State and three Least Developed Countries could be supported, the statement says. The Minamata Convention was adopted and opened for signature at the Conference of Plenipotentiaries held from 9 to 11 October 2013 in Minamata and Kumamoto, Japan and entered into force on 16 August 2017.
