CARE/AID mid-term evaluation of CARE potable water/irrigation activity within the disaster recovery project, (511-0581)

Mid-term AID/CARE evaluation covers 10/83-1/85 and is based mostly on a survey of 17 communities. Project purposes are being achieved. The first year goal of 55 water systems has been met; average construction time has been 3 months. In 9 communities, water is available year round; some rationing is required in the others. The water is used for drinking, cooking, washing, and bathing; in some communities it is also used for animals, for small gardens, and/or brickmaking. The water projects have answered a strongly felt need; in each case, the community initiated the project and contributed either labor alone, labor and materials, or labor, materials, and some money; women have played an instrumental part in all project phases. A maintenance system has been established in each community, and in most, 1 or 2 community members have received short maintenance training courses. Generally, user fees are collected for basic maintenance; in some communities, the fees will also be used for expanding systems. A more detailed evaluation is recommended to ascertain: (1) the long-term effectiveness of the maintenance systems and of the water committees that have been formed in some communities; (2) water availability per person and the reason for water shortages; (3) water usage and positive and negative health effects; (4) use of residual water; (5) understanding of the relation of potable water to sanitary feces disposal and the need for patio to kitchen sanitation; (6) impact on diarrheal disease; (7) the impact of the maintenance training courses; and (8) the importance of including women as water committee members and their role in related health education activities. Follow-on community projects (e.g., crop diversification, livestock) are also recommended. CARE"s accounting and reporting have greatly improved following an 11/84 review, but inventory control and costing remain weak. USAID/B never provided CARE with information detailing financial procedures, and made no engineering visits to project sites and only 2 site visits in all; USAID/B project manager responsibility was transferred 4 times during the project"s first 16 months.