WASH 2011 conference: Ha Thanh and Le Thieu Song

1. National Target Program with Institutional Sustainability and cross – sectoral coodination Msc. Ha Thanh Hang/Msc. Le Thieu Son Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - Vietnam Brisbane, Australia

2. Brief on Vietnam Land area : 331.114 km2 Border: China, Cambodia and Laos. Capital: Hanoi. Population: ~ 87 million. GDP by sector: + Agriculture: 23% + Industry: 38,5% + Services: 38,5% Sector coverage (2010): + Water supply: 83% + Sanitation: 60%

3. I. National Target Program (NTP) - NTP for Rural Water and Sanitation Sector (RWSS) in Vietnam is a cross sectoral institutional framework to achieve the MDG goals and national strategy for RWSS. - Sectoral coordination between MARD, MOH, MOET, MOF... MARD is the lead organization - Vietnam just completed NTP II (2006-2010) and in the process of getting approval from the GOVN for NTP III (2011-2015).

4. II. Regulations in the RWSS sector Law on Water Resources. National Strategy for RWSS to the year 2020. Decision No.135/2009/QĐ-TTG for management of National Target Programs. Gov’ Decision No.277/2006/QD-TTG for approval ofRWSS National Target Program 2006-2010 (NTP II) and NTP II is main channel to achieve the National Strategy.

5. GOVERNMENT MARD MOH MOET MPI MOF OTHER MINISTRIES PPCs DARD DOH DOET DPI OTHERS DISTRICT PCs FUNCTIONAL DIVISIONS CPCs III. Institutional framework of RWSS sector Organizational chart of NTP II 1. Central level: Ministries 2. Provincial level: Departments 3. District level 4. Commune level

6. III. Institutional framework of RWSS sector Cross-sectoral coordination of NTP II NTP II - a national program with cross sectoral coordination; clear tasks and close collaboration amongst 3 key Ministries (i.e. MARD, MOH, MOET) and 3 provincial departments. Coordination Circular No.93 on division of tasks of 3 Ministries). MARD is responsible for rural water supply and rural sanitation in general (i.e. waste management including animal wastes) ; MOH focuses on household latrines, water supply for clinics, and water quality management; MOET focuses on water supply and sanitation in schools.

7. III. Institutional framework of RWSS sector Steering Committees established at Central and Provincial levels to promote management and coordination amongst sectors involved. . Central level: make national plans, formulate policies; technical standards, guidelines….. Provincial level: decide on investment allocation in the RWSS at the province District and commune level: implement the provincial decision Mass organization: participate mainly in the IEC and sometimes in micro-credit for the sector

9. IV. RWSS National Target Program results up to 2010 a. The coordination among 3 Ministries have been realized: Main offices of three Ministries have a meeting one a month for review all activities in each sectors; make plan for further activities and co-evaluate provincial activities b. Improvement of the development of legal documents and guidance for implementation of regulations affecting the sector (i.e. joint circulars, tariff framework, technical standards, socialization decree…)

10. IV. RWSS National Target Program results up to 2010 c) Diversification of funding sources:

11. V. RWSS National Target Program Lessons Learnt NTP carried out by various Ministries, agencies at central and local levels. Thus, important to have: i) due attention and direction from governments; ii) good collaboration amongst Ministries, agencies; iii) engagement of mass organizations; iv) proactive participation from the local government.

12. V. RWSS National Target Program Lessons Learnt It is not enough to have the central direction and coordination, it is critical that the Provincial Steering Committees should: + Proactively provide instructions to enhance cooperation amongst implementing units (particularly 3 key sectors). + Implement timely legal regulations and adapt them to local conditions.

13. V. RWSS National Target Program Lessons Learnt RWSS planning – an essential tool for development of short/medium and long term plans. Plan needs to be realistic and should be demand-driven IEC activities are extremely important; network of local IEC collaborators plays important role in awareness-raising and drives behavior changes. Management modalities are very important for sustainability, and therefore need to be addressed during investment period.

14. PIPED WATER SYSTEM – AN APPROPRIATE MODEL

15. IV. RWSS National Target Program IIIConstraints and challenges Vietnam: 1 of 5 countries with hardest impacts from climate change and sea-level rise; frequent disasters, floods etc. Large areas of natural geographic difficulties. Large population of poor rural locals and ethnics Regulations framework needs adjustment to become more suitable to the multiple involvement of various stakeholders Attention to environment pollution in rural areas, including sanitation improvement, is still limited.

17. VIII. Proposed measures for RWSS National Target Program 2011-2015 Proposed measures: Improve legal environment, with particular focus on promotion of “socialization” Focus on the improvement of organizational and implementation systems. Improve coordination and mainstreaming amongst sectors, sectoral programs/projects and activities.

18. IV. Proposed measures for RWSS National Target Program 2011-2015 Promote the delivery of training and capacity building activities for Program’s units. Strengthen State government; develop national standards/norms, socio-economic norms etc. Focus on the improvement of management, O&M of RWSS facilities towards sustainability.

20. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!!!