Today, 70% of the population in rural areas (84% country-wide) has access to clean water but only a few people are linked to sewage systems. Modern wastewater treatment is virtually non-existent in the entire country. Switzerland – as the lead donor in the water sector – continues to work on improving the situation through policy dialogue, by strengthening the institutions managing and governing the water sector, such as the Inter-Ministerial Water Council and the Regional Water Companies (RWCs), and by co-investing in drinking water networks and wastewater treatment facilities.
Regarding environmental issues, sustainability of infrastructure and services will be strengthened with the help of targeted activities at the municipal and regional level with an aim to lower emissions and foster climate-resilience (e.g. improved energy-efficiency and use of renewable energy sources).
Domain Goals & Outcomes
The public utilities (RWCs) with their state oversight institutions provide high-quality water and sanitation services and improved governance of water and energy resources, thereby contributing to better living conditions of the population, higher resilience to climate change and an improved state of the environment.
The following outcomes are expected:
- People have access to and are willing to pay for affordable high-quality water and sanitation services that improve their livelihoods;
- Supported RWCs manage water, sanitation and wastewater services in an efficient and transparent manner and are accountable to their respective oversight bodies;
- The supported municipalities and RWCs increasingly recognize the need and are willing to more effectively and efficiently protect the environment and reduce impacts related to climate change.
