A training workshop on the national target programme of rural water
supply and sanitation for the 2012-2015 period was held in Hanoi on
January 28. Its aim was to introduce changes in the management and
implementation of the programme.
The workshop, jointly organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development (MARD) and the Australian Agency for International
Development (AusAid), is expected to provide localities with guidelines
on the programme’s implementation to increase efficiency.
Vu Van Thang, deputy head of the Irrigation Department under MARD,
said in 2013, the programme will focus on promoting internal strengths
and choose the appropriate rural water supply and sanitation models.
It will help complete mechanisms and policies to develop rural water
supply and sanitation services in line with the Government’s direction,
he said.
Thang emphasised that the Government will
create favourable conditions to give poor households and organisations
access to preferential loans to build and upgrade water supply and
sanitation works. At the same time, poor areas and households will
receive partial assistance.
Mark Palo, Counsellor
at the Australian Embassy in Vietnam , affirmed that sponsors will
support the programme in the future. However, in 2013, the programme
will prioritise sanitation and personal hygiene targets and concentrate
on maintaining water supply.
Participants at the
workshop were also introduced to a joint circular to instruct the
programme’s management and use of State budget in the 2012-2015
period.-VNA