Title

Lao People's Democratic Republic: Unsung progress in rural sanitation - building the foundations
Country
Lao People's Democratic Republic (the)
Summary

Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) faces considerable challenges in the delivery of sustainable and equitable access to sanitation in rural areas. Small steps have been taken towards increasing national ownership of and political commitment to sanitation in Lao People's Democratic Republic. As a lesson learnt; there is no one blueprint for progress in sanitation delivery. Services can be delivered in different ways – e.g. household investment or direct programmatic efforts.
Related IWRM Tools
  • Policies with Relation to Water Resources (
    A1.02
    )
  • WASH and Gender (
    B5.06
    )
  • Social Assessment (
    C1.04
    )
Keywords
Rural Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI)
Lessons Learned

Wider socioeconomic progress and levels of inequality may have a significant impact on access to basic sanitation. In Lao PDR, household investment in latrines has been connected in part to rising incomes for some groups.

In Lao People's Democratic Republic, coverage targets, such as those in the MDGs, are cited as one reason for the rapid latrine construction. However, such targets risk drawing attention away from sustainability and equity outcomes.

Promotion of sanitation and hygiene education and social mobilization in Lao People's Democratic Republic has slowed progress towards the provision of more sustainable sanitation systems. Changing cultural practices is complex, however, often requiring considerable time, resources and effort.

There is no one blueprint for progress in sanitation delivery. Services can be delivered in different ways – e.g. household investment or direct programmatic efforts – and leveraging the most appropriate mode of delivery and selecting suitable technology.
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