The JAR 2008 mission found out that joint donor support to Vietnam is rapidly demonstrating impact within the water and sanitation sector. Most of the 9 pilot provinces are already demonstrating an improved capacity to manage and implement this innovative RWSS NTP II. There is welcome evidence of increasing, inter-sectoral support and collaboration from the central ministries.

Over the course of the pilot phase, there has been a positive response to supervision mission recommendations. The key triggers and benchmarks specified in the Funding Agreement have been achieved or partially achieved. With these, the JAR 2008 mission recommends that in 2009 the joint donor support will begin rolling out to 30 provinces including the 9 pilot provinces.

Although rural water supply coverage targets are to a significant extent being achieved by the programme, there has so far been disappointing progress when it comes to hygiene and sanitation improvements within schools and households, despite these being key focus areas of the programme. However, following the recent Joint Annual Review, Ministry of Health has agreed to begin piloting an innovative approach that will place more focus on achieving hygiene behaviour change through building up the capacity and motivation of Village Health Workers, Women’s Unions and Local Authorities.

The JAR 2008 mission comes up with 5 recommendations which are most needed for improving the effectiveness and sustainability of the NTP II. These recommendations will be submitted to the government and donors for approval during the Annual Review Meeting in September 2008. For more details on these recommendations, please read here.

It is anticipated that, based on the initial successes of this ongoing pilot programme, by the time the much enlarged national programme expands to other provinces over the next two years, there is likely to be increased funding support for this programme provided by the Government of Vietnam with additional Development Partners also coming on board.