Water

ADB President Tadao Chino on Bringing People’s Lives to Normalcy
“Now that many tsunami-affected people have water, food and temporary shelter, we need to provide them with the means to restore their livelihood and rebuild their lives,” says ADB President Tadao Chino during a recent visit to tsunami-affected communities in Sri Lanka. Mr. Chino had earlier visited affected communities in Indonesia and was deeply overwhelmed by the pain, suffering and devastation he saw. Speaking at the ASEAN Leaders’ Special Meeting in Jakarta, President Chino discussed the three dimensions of ADB’s rapid assistance plan.

Tsunami Impact Summaries: Indonesia, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka
In the wake of the huge earthquake and subsequent tsunamis that struck South and Southeast Asia on 26 December 2004, ADB undertook preliminary assessments in Indonesia, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka to assess the damage and rehabilitation requirements. Read the initial results.

---

ADB's Tsunami Disaster Assistance
ADB President Tadao Chino has already offered up to $675 million to help finance priority reconstruction and rehabilitation work in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Maldives after the tsunami disaster. Teams of experts have begun assessing the extent of damage, and determining the costs of reconstruction. Visit ADB's Tsunami Response website to get regular updates on ADB's response to this disaster.

---

ADB's Rapid Response to Help Tsunami-Hit Countries (31 December 2004)
In the days immediately following the tsunami disaster, ADB External Relations Director Ann Quon explained ADB's initial response — from assessing the rehabilitation and reconstruction needs to making available sufficient funds to address these needs. ADB will also focus on rebuilding infrastructure, combating communicable diseases and furnishing essential equipment and supplies.

---

Indonesia: Rebuilding Aceh’s Water Infrastructure Must Involve Everyone
It is cruel irony that Aceh, known for its abundant water resources, now faces severe water scarcity. The tsunamis destroyed nearly the entire water infrastructure in western Aceh and the communities of Banda Aceh and Meulaboh. Reconstruction efforts have thankfully begun, but it is going to take everyone’s help if a better and more expansive water system is to rise from such devastation.

---

India: Irrigation Channels in Tamil Nadu Clogged after the Tsunami
When the tsunamis struck, seawater came up to two kilometers inland in the southeastern coast of India. Within minutes, tens of thousands were dead, and all productive lands close to the shore were a meter deep in sand and seawater. “We may be alive, but only just. We need help,” says one farmer. Governments, civil society and communities are now working to rebuild lives.

---

Sri Lanka: The Quest for Clean Water
Water problems abound in Sri Lanka in the wake of the tsunami disaster, the scarcity of clean drinking water being on top of the list. The wells used for drinking and bathing were destroyed, inland water resources were contaminated, and threats of water-borne diseases loom. Will the current efforts to restore clean water to the people be enough?

ADB Offers additional $500 Million Support to Tsunami Affected Countries
ADB President Chino assured tsunami-hit countries of ADB’s support in alleviating suffering and restoring normalcy to the affected areas. ADB has already allocated up to $675 million for priority reconstruction and rehabilitation work in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Maldives. More assistance will follow once the extent of the reconstruction work is determined.

---

Tsunami Could Throw Nearly 2 Million Additional People into Poverty in the Affected Countries
The recent tsunamis that killed more than 150,000 could throw nearly 2 million additional people into poverty, according to a new ADB report. But Asia’s resilience to external shocks will play a role in minimizing the disaster’s impact on the region’s overall economic growth. Read the full report.

---

ADB experts undertake needs assessment surveys
ADB and its development partners have begun sending out teams of experts to Indonesia, Maldives and Sri Lanka to assess the extent of tsunami-related damages. ADB experts will focus on water and sanitation, health, transportation and rural infrastructure in Indonesia; roads, railways and livelihood restoration in Sri Lanka; and roads, communications, water supply and power in the Maldives.

---

ADB Project Contractor Clears Vital Road in Sri Lanka
Acting on a request from the Indonesian Government, an ADB contractor diverted its resources-including a 100-strong team and large fleet of heavy-duty equipment-to clear the main road between Bentota and Matara. This allowed aid relief to reach affected areas more quickly. View the results of this initiative.

---

ADB Signs MOU with Indonesia for Framework on Disaster Support
ADB and the Indonesian Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the framework for ADB’s emergency assistance to Indonesia following the tsunami disaster. Under the MOU, up to $120 million will be reprogrammed from ongoing projects to meet emergency needs. These funds will be used for restoring livelihoods and basic infrastructure and services, and other high priority activities.

---

Japan Boosts Support for Tsunami Victims by $20 Million
Japan will provide an additional $20 million through its trust fund at ADB to support relief measures in tsunami-devastated areas. “Japan will assist in reconstruction and rehabilitation works…in every possible way,” says Japan Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki. Already, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation works with ADB and the World Bank to assess the damages in affected countries.

---

ADB and World Bank to Assist India’s Rebuilding Efforts After Disaster
ADB and World Bank will work with the Government of India to assess the country’s damages from the tsunami disaster, and develop a program of support for reconstruction and recovery. Initial Government estimates put the loss of life in excess of 10,000 and the loss of property at about $1.5 billion.

Proposed revision in ADB's Water Policy
After a consultation process involving water agencies, NGOs, and other interested stakeholders, a revised proposal on the provision for large water resources projects was recently submitted to ADB's Management and Board of Directors for approval.

---

Indonesia and Japan launch twinning program in river basin management
At a meeting of the ADB-supported Network of Asian River Basin Organizations (NARBO) in Batu, Indonesia, the Brantas and Citarum river basin organizations in Indonesia signed a twinning agreement with the Japan Water Agency for integrated water resources management. More twinning partnerships are planned.

---

ADB supports performance benchmarking of river basin organizations
Eleven members of the Network of Asian River Basin Organizations (NARBO) volunteered to pilot test a performance benchmarking and peer review process introduced by ADB to support capacity development in critical water sector institutions in the region.

---

Two more pilot and demonstration activities (PDAs) successfully completed
Two PDAs have recently been completed. The PDA in Nepal focuses on the potentials of micro-irrigation for reducing rural poverty. The PDA in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu focuses on community-based education campaign as a tool to foster changes in water management. Read the results.

---

Afghanistan: ADB to boost agricultural productivity
ADB will help Afghanistan increase agricultural productivity by improving irrigation networks and water resource management in the Balkh river basin. The new $10 million grant from ADB's Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction will upgrade irrigation systems and strengthen traditional water management systems weakened by 25 years of civil unrest and poor maintenance.

---

Azerbaijan: ADB to improve water supply and sanitation services in three towns
Residents, industries and small businesses in the towns of Agdash, Goychay, and Nakhchivan will soon enjoy greater access to improved water and sanitation (WSS) services. Two new ADB loans, totaling US$30 M, will rehabilitate WSS infrastructure, and finance institutional reform and capacity building. The Azerbaijan Government will contribute $9.9 M to the project cost.

---

India: ADB approves $250 M loan for rehabilitation of urban and transport services in Jammu and Kashmir
The first major intervention in the State by a multilateral aid agency in recent times, the loan will help 1.5 million people Srinagar and Jammu get better water supply, drainage and sanitation services. The project is a small but significant step toward addressing the infrastructure rehabilitation needs of the State, estimated at US$4 billion.

---

Pakistan: ADB to help improve livelihoods in Punjab Barani Areas
A new $41 million loan from ADB will improve access to water and jobs for some 350,000 households in Punjab's barani areas. Barani areas are dryland areas not served by canal irrigation, making agricultural production precarious. Millions of residents live below the poverty line, with little access to measures to improve their livelihoods.

---

Tajikistan: ADB to help rehabilitate ailing irrigation system
Some 70% of Tajikistan's population lives in poverty, partly as a result of falling farm incomes. A new US$22.7 M ADB loan aims to improve the situation by rehabilitating the country's irrigation and drainage system, providing farm support services, improving water management and building better management of participatory irrigation.

	Floods and the Poor - How can poor households cope with water-related disasters, particularly floods? (September 2005)		Small Piped Water Networks: Helping Local Entrepreneurs to Invest - Where do poor communities get their water? (September 2004)
	Testing Audience Impact in Poor Communities - Can watching a film lead to behavioral change? (October 2004)		Setting an Agenda for Change - Change is necessary to lift productivity and reduce inequality. (November 2004)