Denmark supports Vietnam with rural sanitation and the Operation and Maintenance of water and sanitation schemes. The Embassy of Denmark recently co-signed an Amendment to the Joint Funding Agreement with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to incorporate an additional commitment of 17 million pounds, to further support Vietnam’s National Target Program for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation. The other co-signatories were the UK Department for International Development (DFID), and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The National Target Program for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation phase 2 (2005 – 2010) has been jointly funded by AusAid, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Netherlands Minister for Development Cooperation with a total commitment of 125 million US dollars.
The program has already helped provide access to clean water for 79% of the rural population, and 51% of rural households now have hygienic latrines. The initial focus has also been on providing access to water and sanitation for public entities, with 75% of schools, 77% health clinics, 67% commune committee offices and 45% markets, now served.
“In joining other donors in co-funding this program, we recognise the commitment of the Government of Vietnam and look forward to working together to support sustained progress over the next 3 years, focussing especially on sanitation for poor households” – said Ms Fiona Louise Lappin, Head of DFID Vietnam.
Mr. Peter L. Hansen, Ambassador of Denmark stressed again the two most critical issues of the program, namely rural sanitation and the Operation and Maintenance of water and sanitation schemes. ”We expect that together with funding from AusAID, Denmark and the Netherlands, the additional funding from the UK will be used wisely and effectively to help Vietnam achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target 7, not only quantitatively but also qualitatively”.
This joint donor program will help support the Vietnamese Government to achieve the targets of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation National Target Program and to ensure that momentum in provision of rural water and sanitation is maintained beyond 2010 when the current phase is due to end.
