The Government of Yemen has requested additional financing from the World Bank to bridge the gap between the ongoing Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project closure on 31 December 2007 and the start of a sector-wide approach (SWAp). The additional US$ 23.7 million (EUR 16.4 million) financing (of which US$ 20 million = EUR 13.8 millon from IDA) under this proposal is to be used to extend and deepen activities under the project components. Under the water supply component, coverage is to be extended to 270,000 new consumers through construction of about 80 water supply systems in the six governorates. The environmental sanitation component will provide improved sanitation through up to four small sewerage systems in selected communities to serve 15,000 people, continue support to communal and household sanitation and strengthen capacity to carry out hygiene promotion activities. The component will also support the Government to finalize its sanitation strategy within the framework of the national rural water and sanitation strategy, by addressing issues that have apparently delayed cabinet approval of the current strategy.

This will be achieved by: (i) mainstreaming the tested and successful implementation approach into governorate water activities; (ii) aligning project activities with the National Water Sector Strategy and Investment Program (NWSSIP) including strengthening capacity for sanitation and hygiene promotion activities; and (iii) supporting preparation of studies and development of capacities for transition to a SWAp.

See for more the Project Information Document and web page

Contact: Dina El Naggar, World Bank, delnaggar@worldbank.org

Source: World Bank, 15 Jan 2008

Tags: hygiene promotion, sanitation, water supply