Linking Sustainable Human and Animal African Trypanosomosis Control with Rural Development Strategies

Tsetse and trypanosomosis (T&T) affect rural communities over a huge area of Africa, impacting on the health of humans and livestock and acting as a brake on rural development. As more and more interventions against T&T are undertaken large and small scale, farmer and project based it is vital that they be integrated with other initiatives in the three principal sectors affected by T&T: human health, animal health and overall rural development. This paper addresses these issues within the context of a sustainable livelihoods framework that promotes an enabling environment and engagement in participatory processes. The discussion takes the reader through four stages in the planning and implementation process: priority-setting and planning; identifying, consulting and involving stakeholders; meeting the requirements for effective implementation and delivery; and, last, securing the benefits of interventions. In illustrating these stages, the paper draws on examples of recent interventions to deal with the problems posed by T&T, highlighting the factors that determine success and sustainability.