AID cooperative agreement no. 519-0320-A-00-4107-00 with Project Concern International for the public services improvement project for providing goods and services for environmental sanitation and potable water

Grant activities, which supplement efforts of the Ministry of Health (MOH), National Water and Sewer Administration (ANDA), Creative Associates, CARE, and local municipalities under components 3 and 4 of the Public Services Improvement Project, will be implemented in up to 100 communities ("caserios") in central and paracentral regions, with a combined population of about 37,000 people. The water and sanitation systems will be constructed by the participating communities themselves with the help of NGOs and local private firms. Targets are to rehabilitate 200 hand-dug wells (adding hand pumps, where needed), construct 100 new wells (100 hand dug, 48 drilled), and construct 3,000 household and 24 public latrines. To keep costs under control, household water taps will not be considered under this project. Local water committees will be organized and trained in operation, maintenance, emergency repair, and administration of the new systems. PCI will also work with the committees to develop fee systems that will ensure the financial sustainability of the systems. Health and hygiene education will be provided by MOH and NGO health promoters, who will be trained in these areas to the extent needed.