Box 11. The Bangui Healthy City Programme
Getting started
Following the initial Healthy Cities workshops, organised by Regional Office in 1999, the
Central African Republic prepared a national plan of action. This plan was presented at
the Mayor’s Meeting held in Lomé in November 2000 and was among those receiving very
positive comments from the World Bank and the Regional Office.
Getting organized
In the start-up phase the Special Head of Delegation of Bangui City confirmed government
commitment to the HCP and a Co-ordination Unit was formed by the Regional Office.
Some initial funding was provided to support priority activities to operationalize the programme,
undertake capacity building and institutional strengthening, and to inform external
partners specializing in urban development. National experts, including various ministries,
were directly involved in the development of proposals and encouraged to develop
‘bankable’ projects.
The Mayor of Bangui chaired a meeting of all municipal counsellors and representatives
to promote the concept of Healthy Cities at local level and for the programme to be implemented
in urban districts through communities and NGOs.
Taking action
The municipality took advantage of the programme ‘Porte Ouverte sur la Mairie de Bangui
- Open Door for the Mayor of Bangui’, to launch the priority activities of the HCP. These
announcements were attended by Central African Republic dignitaries, which indicated
the high level of political support for the programme.
Achievements
The following activities have taken place so far: the Co-ordination Unit has been established;
an initial plan of action has been prepared; meetings with NGOs and communities
have taken place; a documentary film has been made on the Healthy Cities activities in
Bangui; equipment has been provided to improve environmental health protection; and
posters have been made.
Challenges and constraints
Like many such initiatives, the HCP suffers from resource constraints and is dependent on
the support of local leaders. There is a need for more advocacy and the Mayors have
more work to do in sensitizing local partners to the aims of the Programme.