Vietnam Rural Water (East Meets West)

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The objective of the East Meets West Foundation (EMWF) Global Partnership on Output-Based Aid (GPOBA) Rural Water Supply Development Project is to increase sustainable access to piped water services to low income households in rural central provinces of Vietnam through an innovative community-based approach, involving public-private partnership. The project supports the World Bank Country Partnership Strategy to Vietnam for the years 2007-2011 (CPS), which focuses on the following four pillars: (1) improve the business environment; (2) strengthen social inclusion; (3) strengthen natural resources and environment management; and (4) improve governance. The project makes a significant contribution to reaching the 85 percent access to safe water in rural areas by 2010 target, set forth in the National Rural Clean Water Supply and Sanitation Strategy up to year 2020 (NRWSS). It is consistent with its recommendation on technology used; complies with its principles of commitment and ownership at the local level; is designed in line with the national guideline of 60 liters per capita per day; complies with construction and water quality standards; encourages private sector involvement in development and management of rural water services; includes elements of knowledge and experience transfer to water managers and local authorities; ensures financial sustainability through tariff covering at least Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs; contributes to the development of satisfactory sanitation solutions and public awareness campaigns for improved personal hygiene; and includes appropriate cooperation for an integrated development of rural water and sanitation services as the province level is associated to the identification of potential water schemes for EMWF financing.