WASH Programme 2nd Phase

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 according to data provided by UNICEF.

WASH is directly linked to people’s health status, 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 conditions of the targeted population (reduction of waterborne diseases).

The WASH for all approach defines access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation facilities for all households within a defined project area. Kubin Ri (Pyongyang Province); Songsok Ri and Pyongwon Up (South Pyongan Province); Ryanghap Ri, Daejong Ri, Chimgyo Ri in North Hwanghae Province. Approximately total population of 23’700 people without regional impact (indirect impact at Ministry and Provincial levels). Kubin Ri : ~ 3’000 people (435 houses) + institutions Songsok Ri : ~ 2’000 people (350 houses) + institutions Pyongwon Up : ~ 15’000 people (3000 houses) + 2 hospitals and 2 schools (1,000 students) Singye / Kumchon Counties : ~ 3700 people (328 houses) + 17 institutions Support to eight provincial laboratories in the topic of water quality

1. Improved access to and utilization of safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene contributing especially towards the reduction of morbidity and mortality related to diarrhea and acute respiratory infections.
2. MoCM is applying the defined overall WASH policy for the DPRK, including the technical expertise in water and sanitation. The support from SDC includes the technical expertise and facilitation of access to contemporary techniques for DPRK institutions.

Resultados de las fases anteriores:  

In 2012 a joint MoCM-SDC WASH program in DPRK has been launched. The technical collaboration between SDC and MoCM started in a positive manner with constructive and increasing team work, at institutional and field level. However limitations on technical and human resources from MoCM had a delaying impact on the progress and the achievements in the first year of the activities. The institutional collaboration is improving with the harmonization of the working instruments, including weekly meeting at MoCM and regular joint monitoring missions. The signature of a MoU between SDC and MoCM on the WASH activities 2012-2014 is pending, the dialog with MoCM and KECCA is ongoing. As the SDC SLM programme shows, the negotiation of such agreements needs time, as operational detail on implementation and programme structure are to be clarified.

Fase 2 01.01.2013 - 31.12.2014   (Completed)