In March 2009, CHF International signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the city of Makassar market management agency (PD Pasar), for work at Sambung Jawa and Panakukkang markets.

 

CHF also signed MoUs with the Poultry Vendor Organizations at each of the two markets. These MOUs define the role and responsibilities that each group will have to improve the hygiene, sanitation and biosecurity at the specific traditional live bird markets.  In additional to designing and contracting innovative market renovations of the live bird vending, slaughtering and poultry carcass vending areas, CHF is using participatory methodology and behavior change approaches to reduce the risks for spread of Avian Influenza (AI) in the markets. Program activities include: establishing and building the capacity of management to develop market systems and rules; facilitating and supporting the development of government support systems such as improved inspection and wastes management systems; conducting health and hygiene educational campaigns to raise vendor, customer, and broader community awareness on safe water, proper hand washing, market cleanliness, safe food handling and storage; teaching vendors the skills needed to properly use protective gear and practices, to clean cages, slaughtering areas and equipment and to collect slaughtering wastes, and promoting early recognition of AI symptoms among vendors, slaughterers, and community members. CHF will facilitate participatory market-level audits with government and local stakeholders to develop long term strategic plans for improving and sustaining healthy markets and vendor access to financial services, business development and planning services (i.e. micro-credit, product development, product value-adding food safety trainings, and product marketing).