Northern and Central Regions Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
The project goal is to improve the quality of life of residents of small towns in the Lao PDR and enhance the small towns’ roles as market, services, and manufacturing centers supporting the rural hinterlands. The project area has approximately 78% Lao Loum (majority) and 22% Lao Theung and Lao Soung ethnic communities1. All ethnic groups will benefit directly from piped water supply and road, drain, and sanitation improvements and the Summary Poverty Reduction and Social Strategy indicates that the Project is expected to have minimum adverse impacts on ethnic groups.
An ethnic groups development framework (EGDF) has been prepared to guide the assessment of potential impacts on ethnic groups during the feasibility study for each candidate subproject town; and to assist in preparing an ethnic groups development plan, if necessary. The EGDF mentions some specific actions such as:
- Integrate the needs and concerns of all ethnic groups into the institutional strengthening of the Water Supply Authority (WASA), provincial nam papas (PNPs), Provincial Departments of Communication, Transport, Posts and Construction (DCTPCs), and the Water Supply Division of the Department of Housing and Urban Planning (WSD/DHUP).
- Ensure equal access of the defined ethnic groups to employment, training, and capacity building opportunities within WASA, district branches of PNPs, DCTPCs, and WSD/DHUP.
- Hold consultations with ethnic communities to determine their priorities for water supply and sanitation and urban environmental improvements.
- Refine the participation strategy to ensure equal participation by all ethnic groups.
- Design information, education and communication materials taking into account cultural and special needs of each ethnic group within a subproject.
- Adapt formal and nonformal education programs to reach ethnic beneficiaries, as appropriate.
- Coordinate with other ministries, aid agencies, and mass organizations in delivering public health messages to ethnic communities.
- For each ethnic group, have at least one person as its representative in each water supply and sanitation unit to ensure that all ethnic groups are represented and are fully aware of the opportunities available through the Project.
- Minimize adverse land acquisition and resettlement affects on households from the defined ethnic groups.
Location:
The Project will cover about 12 small towns representing top investment priorities in the sector investment plan. (Project Map)
Learn more about the project:
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1 At the time of project preparation, Lao Theung and Lao Soung were identified as the relevant ethnic groups for this framework, as required by ADB’s indigenous peoples policy. Additional ethnic groups may be identified during project implementation
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