Aid effectiveness in the water sector: lessons from Bangladesh, Uganda and Ethiopia

A study by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) reviewed the extent to which the five Paris Principles (PPs) on Aid Effectiveness (AE) as set out in the Paris Declaration (PD) on AE: ownership, alignment, harmonisation, managing for results and mutual accountability, are being applied in the water and sanitation sector. Comparisons were made between the water, health and education sectors.

The approach included in-depth case study research in three countries (Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Uganda) and a broader document review. From this evidence the study aims to identify ways in which external support to the water sector can be delivered more in the spirit of the PD.

ODI found that the water sector was not consistently underperforming in the three country case studies. Rather, situation is one of ‘fluid dynamics’ – the sector is moulded by the surrounding political-economic context in which it is situated, i.e. predominantly by the national governance environments in the countries examined.

The following conclusions and recommendations emerged:

1. The broader governance environment is a more important influence on progress against the Paris Principles than sector characteristics. Aspects of the governance context beyond the sector, rather than sector characteristics alone, are a key influence on progress.

2. The perception that the water sector is lagging behind is not supported if the spirit rather than the mechanics of the PD is considered. SWAPs or other instruments should not be seen as a one-off step but rather as an ongoing dynamic process, a platform for learning for both donors and recipients. The pace and level of engagement depends on the opportunities at hand in a given situation provided by the prevailing politicaleconomic context.

3. Some dynamics are specific to particular (sub-) sectors and require a more targeted approach. The type and number of actors and type and levels of financing differs between
sectors. The water sector is likely to be more affected for instance by new donors such as China with a particular emphasis on infrastructure development while the health
sector stands out for receiving high levels of aid from private foundations and multilateral funding initiatives.

4. Some aspects of system alignment such as PFM and procurement cut across sectors. Engagement at a higher level than the sector may be more effective than trying to find solutions within a sector.

5. Paucity of data prevents the measurement of progress against the PP for AE at sector level. There is
also currently no evidence that the fulfilment of the PP leads to better development outcomes e.g. increased access to WSS.

Welle, K. … [et al.] (2008). Fluid dynamics? : achieving greater progress on aid effectiveness in the water
sector – lessons from three countries : final report to the Department for International Development. London, UK, Overseas Development Institute. 57 p. Read full report

A shorterned version of this paper was published in 2009 in Water Alternatives:

Welle, K.; Tucker, J.; Nicol, A. and Evans, B. 2009. Is the water sector lagging behind education and health on aid effectiveness? : lessons from Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Uganda. Water Alternatives ; vol. 2, no. 3 ; p. 297‐314. Full article

Post-conflict approaches: evaluation of Water for Recovery and Peace Program (WRAPP), Southern Sudan

The Water for Recovery and Peace Program (WRAPP) has been operating in Southern Sudan under PACT since 2005 with the aim to:

1. increase access to protected water supply and enhance awareness about sanitation and hygiene;
2. enhance capacity for community management of water schemes;
3. contribute to the reduction of conflict and the promotion of stability and peace; and
4. be gender and environmentally sensitive.

The main funding agency of WRAPP is USAID/OFDA. By November 2007, WRAPP had implemented 707 (boreholes) rural water supply schemes, rehabilitated 505 (boreholes) schemes, 13 semi-urban water distribution schemes, public toilet blocks in 10 towns and one hafir, a major rainwater harvesting facility. The total number of beneficiaries reached under WRAPP reach an estimated 1,4 million.

An evaluation of WRAPP carried out by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) formulated the following lessons learned that are relevant for the WSS sector:

Working through local partners: Contrary to most other I-NGOs and donors, WRAPP works through local partners. WRAPP’s support to local drillers (e.g. AMA, PARAD, SUPRAID) contributed to vitalising the S Sudanese drilling market and is an activity that should be fostered in the future. Local drillers are able to mobilise faster, equire less logistical support and can provide better quality work in Southern Sudan.

WRAPP’s experience of supporting local CBOs to act as ToTs for water supply management is a viable approach but requires a high level of back stopping support from WRAPP to ensure quality.

Working with and through sector structures: A Water policy and related strategies are underway and government structures are being established to implement these with implications for the way in which NGOs and donors operate in the sector.

Operation and Maintenance: Field work has shown that rural user committees are able to organise themselves for repairs of hand pumps, particularly if there are no alternatives, government support structures are strong and training is done well. For semi-urban water distribution systems, current levels of training and management models are not sufficient.

The lack of spare parts and tools is probably the most important challenge for the sector. Without addressing this problem, investments in water supply schemes remain largely futile. Developing a sustainable supply chain for repairing rural water supply schemes is therefore an urgent priority for all sector stakeholders.

Sanitation and hygiene promotion: Sanitation and hygiene have been neglected at the detriment of providing hardware water supply services in Southern Sudan. The alarmingly high incidence of under-five diarrhoea of over 40% as well as repeated outbreaks of cholera in some urban settings highlight the need for action.

Reducing Conflict: Focusing water interventions on conflict reduction is very relevant in the context of Southern Sudan. Hafirs have a strong potential to reduce conflict but are difficult to implement and manage. The actual contribution to conflict reduction of the first hafir implemented in Yuai still needs to be supported with evidence.

“Do no harm” is an often neglected yet important aspect of conflict mitigation and highly relevant for WRAPP interventions in water supply and water resources management.

Welle, K. … [et al.] (2008). Water for Recovery and Peace Programme PACT Sudan : external evaluation : final report. London, UK, Overseas Development Institute. 45 p. Read full report

Nepal: engaging the media for sanitation awareness and advocacy

“The Nepal WASH Coalition is able to leverage media coverage and establish the ties needed to bring lasting change in the sanitation and water supply situation in Nepal. It has successfully increased coverage of sanitation issues in the media, educated communities and villages on the benefits of good hygiene practices, and has been able to convince the Government to endorse the Sanitation Model District Approach programme. The Nepal WASH Coalition also encourages sector stakeholders to come together as a group, in order to voice needs and suggest changes. As it grows in influence, the Nepal WASH Coalition brings much needed attention to a sector that is often shrouded in stigma.”

This is the conclusion of the May 2008 WASH case study on Nepal, one of a series published by the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC).

Strengthening the Regulatory Framework for Water Supply and Sanitation in Sri Lanka

As part of its program, the Government of Sri Lanka embarked in 2001-2002 in the preparation of a series of sector reforms to improve its capacity to provide for new investments and improve the operation and maintenance of existing ones.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided technical assistance (TA) to:
(i) developing adequate legislation and guidelines to regulate the water sector, and
(ii) developing institutional capacity for regulatory legislation and guidelines.

Although the TA was to be completed in 2004, political changes delayed work, which could only be resumed in 2006.

Based on the feedback from Government agencies, and an ADB evaluation, including sustainability issues, the TA was considered successful.

The main lessons were:

1. Political commitment to reform remains the single major element to achieving independent regulation. Although interest and dedication is noted in professional circles, major decision-makers at minister level are distancing themselves. In the absence of a more firm response to reform initiatives, ADB’s operations in the sector may need to consider alternative agencies (such as local government) and revise its strategy accordingly.

2. Objectives and scope of TAs involving sector reform need to incorporate sufficient flexibility to accommodate changes in Government’s strategies. The TORs should be adapted to enable easy adjustment as ground realities and needs evolve.

Read the full TA completion report here

For a link to the full report go here