Climatelinks Photo Gallery

Members of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD)’s Department of Forest Inventory and Zoning (DIAF) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo and employees of the Central African Satellite Forest Observatory (OSFAC) complete exercises during a training on estimating forest cover change in November 2017. This training, held in Kinshasa, was hosted by the U.S. Forest Service International Programs and supported by USAID’S Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment, and is part of a larger effort to support governments, universities, and non-governmental organizations in Central African countries to develop and implement sustainable forest management approaches. The Democratic Republic of the Congo covers over 900,000 square miles and contains 60 percent of the Congo Basin’s forests, the second-largest tropical forest in the world after the Amazon. While there are many initiatives being put in place to sustainably manage these forests, the ability of national and regional actors to map and monitor them is an essential step in identifying critically threatened areas and developing effective resource management solutions to combat climate change.

The trail rehabilitation crew pose for a photo before heading out for a day of work on the Nyiragongo Volcano trail in Virunga National Park in April 2018. The U.S. Forest Service International Programs, supported by USAID’s Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment, is working with Virunga National Park and local communities to improve tourist hiking trails as well as create a more accessible educational trail up the volcano. This new trail has a low gradient, which will allow local school groups to climb the volcano to promote environmental stewardship. In addition, due to its route, the new trail will also help rangers dissuade illegal charcoal and poaching operations in the park. Building capacity of national park staff to promote ecotourism not only improves visitor experience and creates economic opportunities for neighboring communities, but also puts the park on track for long-term financial stability, an essential step in the long-term protection of these landscapes, and the preservation of the forests within them.

As in many places around the world, people in Panama are moving from the countryside to the cities. In rural areas, jobs that offer both reasonable working conditions as well as social security are extremely scarce. We offer our employees good working and living conditions, creating stable and fair jobs for men and women alike. We pay salaries above the minimum wage, offer food vouchers, social insurance and additional private health insurance, as well as training and development opportunities such as helping workers acquire school-equivalency certifications.

Participants in the peatland forest inventory training present their results to trainers Dr. John Hribljan of the U.S. Forest Service (far right) and Basile Mpati (second right), who works with the National Center for Forest Inventory and Zoning in the Republic of the Congo (CNIAF). This training, held by the U.S. Forest Service International Programs and the FAO and supported by USAID’s Central Africa Program for the Environment and the SilvaCarbon program, was an opportunity for technicians from the DRC Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development's Department of Forest Inventory and Zoning to learn about inventory sampling methods in peat forests so that they will be able to more accurately calculate how much carbon is currently stored in the country's forests. The Democratic Republic of Congo covers over 900,000 square miles and contains 60 percent of the Congo Basin’s forests, the second-largest tropical forest in the world after the Amazon. While there are many initiatives being put in place to sustainably manage these forests, the ability of national and regional actors to map and monitor them is an essential step in identifying critically threatened areas and developing effective resource management solutions to combat climate change.

Tirta Wiyata Academy (AKATIRTA) students are learning to measure the water quality of Bening River in Magelang district using the Water Quality and Quantity (WQQ) equipment provided by USAID IUWASH PLUS through its Local Sustainability and Innovation Component (LSIC) grant. On April 24, 2018, USAID IUWASH PLUS handed over the equipment to AKATIRTA and trained the students and lecturers on how to use the equipment to collect accurate data on the water quality and quantity. AKATIRTA is an environmental engineering academy in Magelang that has a specialty in the water supply sector.

Technicians learn how to tell the difference between peat and other soils during a training in Mbandaka, Democratic Republic of the Congo in January 2018. This training, held by the U.S. Forest Service International Programs and the FAO and supported by USAID’s Central Africa Program for the Environment and the SilvaCarbon program, was an opportunity for technicians from the DRC Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development's Department of Forest Inventory and Zoning to learn about inventory sampling methods in peat forests so that they will be able to more accurately calculate how much carbon is currently stored in the country's forests. The Democratic Republic of Congo covers over 900,000 square miles and contains 60 percent of the Congo Basin’s forests, the second-largest tropical forest in the world after the Amazon. While there are many initiatives being put in place to sustainably manage these forests, the ability of national and regional actors to map and monitor them is an essential step in identifying critically threatened areas and developing effective resource management solutions to combat climate change.

Technicians learn how to take peat soil samples in wetland forests during a training in Mbandaka, Democratic Republic of the Congo in January 2018. This training, held by the U.S. Forest Service International Programs and the FAO and supported by USAID’s Central Africa Program for the Environment and the SilvaCarbon program, was an opportunity for technicians from the DRC Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development's Department of Forest Inventory and Zoning to learn about inventory sampling methods in peat forests so that they will be able to more accurately calculate how much carbon is currently stored in the country's forests. The Democratic Republic of Congo covers over 900,000 square miles and contains 60 percent of the Congo Basin’s forests, the second largest tropical forest in the world after the Amazon. While there are many initiatives being put in place to sustainably manage these forests, the ability of national and regional actors to map and monitor them is an essential step in identifying critically threatened areas and developing effective resource management solutions to combat climate change.

Basile Mpati explains how to properly measure peat forests in the Botanical Garden of Eala in Mbandaka, Democratic Republic of the Congo before taking a group of technicians out into the field in January 2018. This training, held by the U.S. Forest Service International Programs and the FAO and supported by USAID’s Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment and the SilvaCarbon program, was an opportunity for technicians from the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development's Department of Forest Inventory and Zoning to learn about inventory sampling methods in peat forests so that they will be able to more accurately calculate how much carbon is currently stored in the country's forests. The Democratic Republic of Congo covers over 900,000 square miles and contains 60 percent of the Congo Basin’s forests, the second largest tropical forest in the world after the Amazon. While there are many initiatives being put in place to sustainably manage these forests, the ability of national and regional actors to map and monitor them is an essential step in identifying critically threatened areas and developing effective resource management solutions to combat climate change.

Improving learning outcomes in early literacy Improving literacy levels requires early intervention and early grade reading in particular is a powerful tool to achieve later educational success. "These pupils are still new - about two month's old in primary school. In a class of 55, more than half have mastered spellings, sounds, reading and writing in such a short period. Tusome is good. The pictures incorporated in the books are a great idea to retain pupil attention and words/pictures recognition," said Mwanamisi Ngare, a standard 1 class teacher at Mvindeni Primary School in Kwale County.

Joy after the rain Contagious joy. After finishing my Botany class with my students, I saw these very cheerful children racing after the rain. At this age and among children there are no gaps.

Ayaturn Admani, 12, stands with his science teacher, Muransa Moses, in front of the Malaria Corner in his Primary Year 4 classroom.

Credit: USAID Kenya and East Africa

USAID in Madagascar: Education The results from the Mahay Mamaky Teny (MMT) Education Project will contribute to decision-making on the Education Sector Plan.

Mwenga is a local lawyer who volunteers his time and expertise at a free legal clinic near South Kivu, DRC. He says he enjoys getting into the community to help residents resolve disputes. (Angela Rucker/USAID)

As part of the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance, Practical Action is supporting and educating community brigades who can support the key topic of flood resilience and helping communities become more resilient before, during and after flooding. Here, two community brigade members are at a safe evacuation route sign in the Rimac valley near Lima, Peru.