Summary of the progress evaluation of the rural water systems and environmental sanitation project, Peru

Evaluation covers the period 9/80-9/84 and summarizes an attached mid-term evaluation (PD-AAQ-689) based on document review, interviews, and site visits. Great efforts by USAID/P and Peru's Directorate of Rural Sanitation (DISAR) and Ministry of Health (MOH) have brought about major changes since a highly critical 1983 U.S. Government Accounting Office audit. In late 1983, significant progress in constructing rural water systems began to be made, despite the many problems posed by the very serious economic situation in Peru. This was mainly due to the successful decentralization of DISAR offices; 13 offices with technical personnel have been established in 10 regions (7 offices are implementing construction), and the regional DISAR offices have been significantly strengthened. The target of 660 systems constructed by 1987 will be reached if current momentum is maintained. Per capita construction costs are about $30, below target. Community participation in construction has been good, participation in ongoing operation and maintenance less so, due to a lack of well-planned educational programs and to DISAR's failure to provide formal training to juntas administradoras (communally elected water committees). DISAR, primarily an engineering and construction agency, lacks interest in maintenance. Also, user fees are not being collected in any of the communities. The latrine program is not progressing well; about 80% of latrines delivered to the communities are either not installed or not used. Rarely were communities given any say regarding choice of excreta disposal systems and no well-defined health education program has accompanied latrine delivery; nor has any sociocultural research on the resistance to the latrines that exists in most project communities been conducted. Schools have not been provided with latrines as planned. The health education component has not yet begun; support in this area from A.I.D. primary health care projects has not materialized. DISAR staff have received some technical training; in one region, courses on community relations have been given as well. There has also been limited training of health personnel in water supply and sanitation issues.