Problems with data reliability and data collection in rural water and sanitation are expected to be reduced with a new monitoring and evaluation system.

As part of the joint donor support to the Vietnamese National Target Programme for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation, Danida has supported the development of a national unified evaluation and monitoring system for rural water supply and sanitation (M&E system).

The draft system was presented and discussed on a workshop the 22th of November hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Based on previous experiences, the new system provides a framework for all ministries and agencies that collect data about rural water and sanitation, which aims at securing a better basis for decision-making.

This framework has a simple setup with 14 basic indicators for the sector and programme levels. Specific surveys, for examples on gender equality or pro-poor targeting will be carried out periodically to make sure that other qualitative outputs of the programme are met.

"We have designed a simple M & E system, since the most important thing is to have the system workable and be accepted by all the main stake-holders. It can afterwards be expanded and more detailed once data collection has become a routine" said the head of the inter-ministerial working group on the M & E system.

The new M & E system is expected to be piloted in early 2008. The first draft report explaining the system can be seen here.

§ Edited December 5, 2007

Source:http://www.ambhanoi.um.dk/en/menu/AboutUs/News

Danish Embassy