The situation in the water and sanitation sector in the DPRK has deteriorated since the early 90s, when most towns had piped water supply systems and waste water treatment. The facilities still exist; however, they are malfunctioning due to leakages, break downs and poor maintenance or due to lack of electrical power to run pumping systems. With the failure of sanitation infrastructure, diarrhea is the number one cause of morbidity and mortality for children under-five years.

WASH is directly linked to people’s health, their livelihoods and sustainable development. The activities fight effectively diarrhea and therefore have positive effects on the nutritional situation as well as on the health situation of targeted population. (Reduction of waterborne disease)

Safe drinking water and Sanitation for all : Kubin Ri (Rural/ Hills) 3'500 people (435 hh /1 '685 people, 17 institutions); Drinking water in Pyongwon (Rural/ Plains) 2'500 people (50 water points); Drinking water in Pyongwon City (Urban) 25'000 people (water kiosks) Technical support 30'000 people (total population Phase I)

Output 1.1 Additional Gravity Fed System (GFS) installations (low cost) in rural and urban hills area providing increased quantity of drinking water. Output 1.2. New Solar Pumping System (SPS) and Hand Pumps (HP) installations for wells and boreholes in rural and urban area will increase the quantity of safe drinking water. Output 1.3. Increased availability of improved sanitation facilities for the rural and urban population; Output 1.4. Increased knowledge of hygiene awareness for the rural and urban population with goal to reduce water-related and excretarelated diseases; Output 1.5. Increased# household using alternative energies as fuels for domestic needs (biogas i.e.). Output 2.1. Increased number of projects complying to WASH policy and applying approved techniques; Output 2.2. Share experiences and use synergies. Agree with MoCM on increased number of interventions with partner agencies (UNICEF, EUPs) at institutional and field levels;

Results from previous phases:  

SDC has no previous WASH program I the DPRK, but financed in 2010 a water kiosk project from NIT2 in Hamhung. Experiences with the since eight years ongoing SLM project show a positive impact at the project level and led to a constructive collaboration with the relevant ministry. Similar results can be expected in the WASH sector.

Phase 1 01.05.2012 - 31.12.2013   (Completed)