The European Union and Lao PDR celebrate increase in access to potable water in Savannakhet and Khammouane Provinces

On 14 September 2022, the water infrastructure is now being handed over to Khammouane Province and Savannakhet Province by Ministry of Public Works and Transport during the ceremony organized in Outhoumphone District, Savannakhet Province. At the handover ceremony, H.E. Madam Vilaykham Phosalath, Vice Minister of Public Works and Transport, highly valued the €15 million contribution made by the EU, through the managementof the German KfW Development Bank that helps to support the National Socio-Economic Development of the country.

H.E. Madam Vilaykham Phosalath also reminded that through pipe water system, safe and clean water could be realized and is even essential for healthy living conditions, reducing the waterborne diseases, conditions transmitted by micro-organisms in untreated water or by inappropriate hygiene practices, including diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, and cholera which can lead to the significant loss of nutrients or even death among children in rural areas of Lao PDR.

Access to water is limited to private boreholes and more often via springs or rivers far from the villages. This situation affects girls and young women the most, as they are the ones tasked to walk long distances of unsafe paths to transport water. This contributes to the drop out rate or class absence among them.

On the other hand, access to functional latrines vary from 13 to 25 percent and nearly 40% of Lao’s rural population still practice open defecation (Khammouane Provincial Statistic and Savannakhet Provincial Statistic 2018), which can lead to contaminating existing water sources and disease. Limited access to treated water, low awareness of hygiene practices, and high poverty rates are the most common reasons for not having latrines.

Having recognized these challenges, the European Union partnered with German KfW Development Bank in 2018 to support the Ministry of Public Works & Transport through the Scaling-up Nutrition and WASH Infrastructure (SUNWIP) Project. This is part of the broader EU-funded programme “Partnership for Improved Nutrition” (PIN) which aims to improve the nutritional status of children and women in Lao PDR.

“The European Union is proud to work with the German KfW Development Bank, to support the Government of Laos in reaching its nutrition targets, reducing malnutrition in the country, and achieving a more equitable growth. Together we grow stronger, making sure no one is left behind”, said Mr. Vincent Viré, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Lao PDR.

After four years of work, water supply systems were built or rehabilitated, allowing to supply all year round clean water to 62,000 people now, and up to 90,000 people in the future. To assure sustainability of the construction, the project provided technical training to the water supply state-owned enterprises (Nampapa) in both provinces.

Mr. Sompong Sitthivong, Director General of the Department of Water Supplies also raised the importance of improved hygiene practices and awareness raising activities in schools and communities in priority areas; Making sure they are empowered to correctly use and maintain their water taps is a real challenge that will impact the Nampapa company and was developed during the promotion sessions. He noted the following results achieved in the 13 villages targeted by the awareness campaign during the project implementation:

●          More than to 1,600 community members participated in the project’s hygiene and latrine construction promotion sessions.

●          In the targeted villages, at least 93 new latrines have been built and 34 volunteers were trained to promote and support the construction of more latrines.

●          Close to 1,800 community members received advice on handling & storing clean water, and maintaining water taps

●          Teachers were trained and students’ awareness was raised in 11 disadvantaged schools, installing handwashing stations and latrines, reaching close to 1,000 students.

Ms. Anette Haller, Director of KfW Office in Laos reminded that “the ownership of the Lao government is crucial for a timely implementation and the sustainability of the project. With your support, we will lay a strong foundation for a successful completion of the project at the end of this year, and a sustainable impact of the activities.

H.E. Dr. Somsaat Ounsida, Khammouane Vice Governor, sincerely expressed his deepest gratitude towards the contribution made by the EU. He said “on behalf of the villagers and their communities of 12 villages in two districts of Khammouane Province, I am thankful for the supply of drinking water to households which helps reduce water-related diseases, improves nutrition levels of communities.” On this occasion, H.E. Madam Lingthong Sengtavan, Savannakhet Vice Governor strongly emphasized that “access to clean water and improved hygiene practices are first steps towards a healthy and strong population with more tools to build its prosperity. [...] It also makes an important contribution to the implementation of the comprehensive construction and development project of Savannakhet province."

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