Madagascar - Grand Sud Rural Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Project

The Rural Potable Water Supply and Sanitation (PWSS) project in the rural areas of Madagascar’s Grand Sud is in line with the policy thrust outlined by the Government of Madagascar and falls within the framework of the Bank’s Country Strategy Paper for the 1999-2001 period which aims at poverty reduction. It aims to considerably increase the cover of water and sanitation needs with a view to poverty reduction. The project involves the drilling of 700 boreholes equipped with hand pumps, construction of 1050 drinking troughs and 5000 latrines, hygiene and health. By supplying enough water to and improving health in the four districts of Fianarantsoa and Tulear, the project should significantly contribute to concretizing the country’s water policy, making improvement of water supply in the Grand Sud a sectoral priority. Apart from time gained and reduction in health expenditure in connection with water-borne diseases, the latrine and drinking trough components should help improve the living standard and further settle the agro-pastoral population around modern water points, enhancing their productivity and livestock security. By addressing the people’s real and priority needs, the project contributes significantly to poverty reduction. The major components include: i) potable water supply; ii) sanitation and drinking troughs; iii) community health support; iv) community mobilization and training; and v) institution building.