Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation Management


The project will allow people to use safe and affordable drinking water as well as equitable sanitation and hygiene thereby progressing towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 in Tajikistan. An integrated planning approach supports the building of the local and national capacities and strengthen the policy frameworks to enable sustainable Water Sanitation and Hygiene WASH services to the population of Eastern Khatlon and Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO).

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Tajikistan
Water
Water sector policy
Water diplomacy and security
Water resources conservation
01.03.2022 - 28.02.2026
CHF  4’800’000
Background

Despite the fact that Tajikistan possesses huge reserves of potable water, people’s access to safe drinking water and sanitation remains low. In Khatlona nd the GBAO regions, 44% of the population lacks access to safe drinking water and less than 4% is served by sewerage. This has a direct impact on health and wellbeing.

Poorly financed public institutions struggle to modernize existing systems or construct new ones, a situation that is exacerbated by falling income levels due to Covid-19 and inadequate tariffs. Low institutionalc apacity of management structures, unclear roles and responsibilities over regulation, operation and maintenance of water systems and gaps in the regulatorya nd policy framework aggravates the situation and limits the country progress towards achievement of SDG 6 targets by 2030.

Objectives The health and resilience of targeted communities is strengthened through the provision of safely managed, sustainable and climate resilient drinking water and sanitation services and through improved sanitary conditions.
Target groups An estimated 18’000 people will be served by an integrated WASH interventions. This will include 15’000 people with access to safe drinking water and sanitation services. Additionally 3’000 people will benefit from enabled access to sanitation products outside the targeted villages (i.e. through partnered local entrepreneurs). Moreover, about 140 professionals and 20- water management bodËesw ill be capacitated to promote best WASH practices. Government structures (district “hukumats”, “jamoats”, KMK/Tojikobdehot, SES, schools administrations) and Community Based Organizations (Mahalla and water user’s committees) will be strengthened by capacity development campaigns.
Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: People in the target areas have access to and make use of sustainable, safely managed drinking water services and sanitation facilities

Outcome 2: People in the target areas adopt correct sanitation and hygiene practices and behaviours

Outcome 3: Local and regional institutions and service providers manage drinking water and sanitation services efficiently, effectively and sustainably

Outcome 4: National institutions deve top, adopt and implement policies conducive to the expansion of sustainable and equitable access to safely managed water supply and sanitation services

Results

Expected results:  

  • The water, sanitation and hygiene sections of District Development Plans in six districts are reviewed and updated by local government; 
  • Water supply systems and gender-sensitive public and household sanitation facilities constructed or rehabilitated to demonstrate best practices;
  • Communication campaigns conducted to promote correct hygiene and sanitation practices and behaviours;
  • Inclusive water and sanitation management systems are established and strengthened;
  • Solutions to policy-related issues are tested in the field, documented and presented to policy makers and influencers.


Results from previous phases:  

  • lmproved water supply and sanitation systems constructed and best hygiene practices demonstrated;
  • Inclusive and disaster resilient water sanitation management systems institutionse stablished/strengthened;
  • Policy reform recommendations developed and followed up at existing national and district policy dialogue platforms.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
Private sector
Foreign state institution
  • Agha Khan Foundation
  • Central State of South East
  • Foreign private sector North


Other partners
AKDN Consortium consisted of Aga Khan Foundation (lead agency), the Mountain Societies Development Support Programme, the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, the Aga Khan Health Services and the Branch of the Republican Institute for Professional Development in Education in GBAO.
Coordination with other projects and actors The project will create synergies/coordination with other Swiss funded projects on water tariffs, sanitation marketing and decentralised wastewater management system. The policy dialogue at both the national and local levels will act as the primary forum to encourage and manage partnership with government ministries and agencies, local authorities, key donors and INGOs, civil society and the private sector.
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    4’800’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    3’375’904
Project phases Phase 2 01.03.2022 - 28.02.2026   (Current phase) Phase 1 01.03.2017 - 31.03.2022   (Completed)