Rural safe water and environmental hygiene program reviewed

On June 16, Dang Huy Hau, Deputy Chairman of the Quang Ninh provincial People’s Committee chaired an online conference reviewing the implementation of the safe water and environmental hygiene program in the province.

The program, which started in 2013, has been operating across 8 Red River delta provinces with a total capital of USD230.5 million. The funding is made up of a USD200 million loan from the World Bank (WB), USD10.5 million as reciprocal capital from the budget, and the rest coming from the community.

When completed in 2017, the program is expected to increase sustainable access and use of water supply and environmental hygiene for over 1.7 million rural residents.

In Quang Ninh province, the program is being conducted in combination with the national program on safe water and rural and environmental hygiene as well as the program to build new style rural areas. In 2013, over VND42 billion was disbursed to fund the program.

The program has contributed to increase the number of rural residents who have access to safe water to 92.4%, and those who have hygienic restrooms to 74.2%.

During the meeting, Mr Dang Huy Hau asked authorised agencies and localities to complete procedures to continue to disburse capital for 6 ongoing safe water constructions, and to plan for safe water construction management.

He also noted that relevant agencies should increase the dissemination of information to encourage people to lead hygienic lives, especially at schools and medical stations./.