LA GONAVE WATER DEVELOPMENT - CWS OPG# AID/LA-G-1146 (080) - COMPASSION OPG# AID-521-G-52 (101)

Evaluation covers the period 07/01/76-05/20/80. No methodology is specified. An OPG was first provided to the Church World Service (CWS) (521008000). Although most of the planned outputs were achieved, some of the planned water systems were not completed. These shortfalls were primarily due to delays in the initial disbursement of funds, the island"s lack of efficient communication and transportation systems, and CWS"s adherence to the principle of community participation -- projects were undertaken at the initiative of the local communities using local labor and materials. A second OPG was awarded to a consortium of voluntary organizations (521010100). Compassion International is managing the project. Detailed hydrogeological surveys have been completed for three of five subregions. Actual construction of hand dug wells has been slow due to rocky soil and interruptions in the Food-for-Work program. Also, well drilling was delayed by the lack of easy access to a drilling rig. However, a mobile drilling rig and two one-and-a-half ton trucks have been provided to support the drilling operations. The authors recommend the following actions: (1) revision of the end-of-project target to include improved access to potable water for the entire project area population--with the average distance travelled for potable water reduced from 3.2 kms to 1.5 kms; (2) prior approval of all excavations by the resident hydrologist because of the threat of contamination or damage to existing water flow; (3) incorporation of road construction activities into the project implementation plan; (4) assignment of routine maintenance of the water systems to the local communities; (5) documentation of all cases in which project tasks are assigned to other consortium members or other organizations; (6) quarterly review of the project implementation plan; (7) clearance by the USAID project officer of all operational decisions and recommendations made by USAID personnel; and (8) expeditious delivery of food for work commodities by CWS and Compassion International.