Cases at local-level activities
- Case Study on UXO Vulnerability and Poverty in Selected
Villages of Kaleum District, Sekong Province
- Case
Study on Non Timber Forest Production (NTFP)
- Poverty-
Environmental Nexus on Road Projects
- Water Supply and
Sanitation Situation In Relation To Poverty
In Two Urban Districts, Lao PDR
1. Case Study on UXO Vulnerability and Poverty in Selected Villages of Kaleum District, Sekong Province:
Summary
Few countries in the history of warfare have withstood the type
of aerial bombardment that Lao PDR had from 1964 to 1973. UXO
decontamination is an integral part of national development policy
and strategy. The study on UXO Vulnerability and Poverty Eradication
was taken place in six selected villages in Kaleum District, Sekong
Province, and Southeast part of Lao PDR. These targeted villages
are namely: Pak Xay, La Kai, Kroung (Kroung Ta Seng), Bak, Ta
Lang Mai (Proy), and Trak located in the western part of Kaleum
District, where the mostfrequent aerial bombing missions took
place and more serious of UXOs presented The selection of study
area is based on national criteria on poverty level and UXO contamination
of the Lao Government and the researching guidelines agreed between
the Lao PEN2 Team and the World Bank Team.
Since the war ended, visible UXOs have continuously removed
from agricultural areas by the villagers in the study villages
and kept at places where they thought to be the safety, without
having had any consultations or technical supports from the authorities
concerned.
UXO contamination is one of the main causes of poverty and restricts
the local potentials to increase their livelihood condition. UXOs
restrict land uses, Non-timber Forest Products (NTFP) exploitation,
fishing, infrastructure development, environmental destruction,
etc. UXOs also generate handicap and loss of life. In another
dimension, UXOs presented could limit logging, NTFP exploitation,
encroachment on protected areas, in some cases.
UXOs threat and harm villagers directly and indirectly through
harvesting of UXO parts for their daily utilities and commercial
purpose, and through daily live activities, respectively. These
people have influenced from the UXO contamination for several
decades. Most of their daily activities have been threatened and
harmed by UXOs, eg. practicing cultivation and extension, harvesting
forest products, bathing and extracting water, etc. These people
have to locally learn and adapt themselves to avoid dangers which
might occur caused by UXOs. They have to keep in minds in every
step of their movements on UXO threatens and harms.
UXO clearance can not take actions on time, funding for the
Lao UXO program was limited and uneven, and attention from donors
was still insufficient.
Since the first mission of UXO LAO officials visited the Province
in late 1997, UXO caused accidents have significantly reduced.
However, people living in the study areas are still having a high
UXO risks. There is a lack of comprehensive information about
impacts of UXO to the community, eg: up to date, there is no any
exact data and information on where the most density of UXOs is
available in the study villages.
It is believed that during the period of nearly 30 years after
heavy bombardment, especially at early stage, without any technical
assistance on UXO clearance and awareness raising programs from
outsiders, number of injuries and dead must be at a considerable
level. These outstanding problems contribute a high degree in
prolonging the poverty status of the locality in particular and
restricting socio-economic development of the country in general.
Due to the remote status of the study villages, the Study Team
was facing a lot of constraints during the site visits. Nevertheless,
the Team analyzed that the collected data and information from
the studied villages were considerably acceptable.
Solution to the UXO problem can only be in the very long term. UXO
clearance can only be very slow, but well targeted interventions
can be speeded up with international assistance. Natural
resources are less accessible because of the UXO contamination,
and agricultural development is impeded. Income diversification
is therefore needed for poverty reduction. The lower education
level in highly contaminated districts is not helpful towards
this aim but case studies at village level clearly indicate significant
progress in this direction.
Government policy to link UXO clearance to village consolidation
and paddy field development raise issues that are analyzed at
case study level while villagers have adapted to UXO contamination
over the last 3-4 decades - albeit at a high cost to health and
livelihood - there might still be room for improvement in coping
strategies.
Background
The Millennium Development Goals (MDG), 2004, reported that
few countries in the history of warfare have withstood the kind
of aerial bombardment that Lao PDR did from 1964 to 1973. Approximately
580,000 aerial bombing missions dropped over two million tonnes
of explosive ordnance. Around 30% of explosives failed to function
and as a result have contaminated Lao PDR with huge quantities of
unexploded ordnance (UXO). A study in 1997 was found that 15 of
the country’s 18 provinces were significantly contaminated,
particularly the provinces of Savannakhet, Xiengkhouang, Saravane,
Khammouane, Sekong, Champasack, Houaphanh, Attapeu, and Luang
Phrabang, and that 25% of villages reported a presence of UXO
(Final Report on National Survey on the Socio-Economic Impact
of UXO in Lao PDR, 1997), and over 50% of all agricultural land
(National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy, 2004).
Apart from causing fear, injury, and death, this has also stunted
socio-economic development. Digging, clearing undergrowth or making
a fire, all become potentially lethal activities. Since the end
of the conflict in 1975 there have been close to 12,000 UXO- related
accidents, including 6,000 deaths. Even now, on average there
is a documented UXO accident somewhere in the country every two
days. Most alarming, accidents involving children appear to be
on the increase. For an essentially agricultural economy having
more than half land mass contaminated by UXO is a crippling development
handicap preventing farmers from using arable land and limiting
expansion into new agricultural areas. UXO are also a major impediment
to the construction of infrastructure and to economic development
projects that Lao PDR urgently needs.
UXO decontamination program is one of poverty-related national
programs included in the National Growth and Poverty Eradication
Strategy (NGPES), 2004. This national program aims to (a) Ensure
that planning of operations relates closely to national priorities
such as poverty reduction, phasing out shifting cultivation and
opium elimination, (b) increase the pace of clearance, thereby
opening land for agricultural production, and (c) mobilize resources
required for humanitarian UXO action programming. Decontamination
is however very expensive. It can only be carried out in
areas identified as priority and is proceeding at a slow pace.
In August 2003, the Environmental Research Institute proposed
to the World Bank for their technical and financial supports to
the study on UXO vulnerability in a pilot UXO-effected area in
the Lao PDR. And the proposal was accepted and came into
practice in early 2004. The study was carried out in Kaleum District
by the Environmental Study Center (ESC) in association with the
Lao UXO Office, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, and Sekong
Province Authorities. The selection of Kaleum District as study
area is referred to Kaleum District is one of the 47 poorest districts
identified as priority (National Growth and Poverty Eradication
Strategy, 2004) and classified as the fifth among ten provinces
with high degree of UXO contamination of the Country (Final Report
on National Survey on the Socio-Economic Impact of UXO in Lao
PDR, 1997). This selection was also met the World Bank Guidelines
as given in the Terms of Reference.
Purposes
The objectives of the study were to:
- Identify qualitatively and quantitatively primary data
and information on UXO vulnerability contributed to poverty
status of the targeted villages in Kaleum District through
field survey; and
- Be a reference for further actions on UXO decontamination
planning and operations.
Organisers
The Environmental Study Center, Environment Research Institute,
STEA
Contents
The eight common steps for case study are agreed among the study
teams and the World Bank experts. These steps are:
- Preparing
matrix of issues;
- Identifying
the available related national datasets;
- Identifying
the needed district profiles;
- Structuring the study
Samplings, including selections of villages, individual
interviews and focus groups, and households;
- Preparing
of field work activities;
- Finalizing
questionnaires and discussion guidelines;
- Conducting
data Analysis; and
- Preparing
of outputs.
In order to achieve the objectives specified above, the UXO
Study Team was formed. The team was let by the Deputy Director
of ESC and the memberships were the technical staff from ESC,
UXO offices at national and local levels, and Provincial and District
Science Technology and Environment Offices. Details of UXO Team
are given in Section 1 of Annexes.
Based on the general steps mentioned above, the particular methodology
for UXO study was developed. The study activities were
undertaken at both national and local levels. At the
national level, documentary data and information, which were related
to UXO history, statistic, resolving policy and strategies, were
collected in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfares,
UXO Lao Office, Committee for Planning and Investment, and the
United Nations Development Program. At the same times, discussions
with the officials in those organizations were also undertaken.
At the local level, two missions to meet the Sekong Provincial
Office, Kaleum District Office, and 6 targeted villages were conducted.
The first mission was to introduce the objectives of
the project to and gain some initial comments from the above-mentioned
authorities and grass-root communities. The second
mission was
to conduct the study activities according to the more reliable
methodology which was updated after the first mission. The case
study and the related workshops built on results of the consultant’s
comment on the UXO Vulnerability and Poverty Eradicationproposal, conducted
by ERI in October 2004.
The study was carried out on the basis of: (i) respect
of local and indigenous cultures where the study took place;
and (ii) consultative approach, while acknowledging opinions,
comments and recommendations from the stakeholders.
During the study, a series of discussions with the provincial
and district related officials were organized, while interviewing
by using questionnaires were applied to the households
in 6 villages.
The selection of these 6 villages was referred to following
criteria:
- A village located along new Sekong-Kaleum Road, consolidated;
- A village located along new Sekong-Kaleum Road, not
consolidated;
- A village with no road access, of which one with stable
location and population;
- Two villages with high UXO presence, of which one with
activity of planned UXO clearance in 2003–2004, one
without UXO program activity; and
- One with lower UXO presence.
Field studies were conducted from 2–14 February 2005.
In particular meetings with 6 target villages; the UXO Study Team
was separated into two groups. Group 1 carried out a function
of interviewing the Village Authorities, while Group 2 conducted
a series of interview with village households. These two groups
used the same indicators described in the questionnaires, given
in Section 5 of Annexes.
In the meetings with village authority, carried out by Group
1, the group members had introduced the criteria of household
selection in each village. In tern, the village authority had
provided their recommendations on which households in their villages
had reached the selection criteria. In this process, 8 households
in each village had been selected for specific interview. The
criteria of selected households in each village were described
below:
- A household classified as the poorest;
- A household classified as the moderate;
- A household classified as the wealthiest;
- Two households classified as practicing shifting cultivation;
- A household classified as practicing paddy field farming;
- A household classified as practicing both shifting cultivation
and paddy field farming; and
- A household classified as practicing trading.
Regarding the above-mentioned household selection process, Group
2 had conducted the interview.
In order to have more reliable data, the general interview was
also taken place. All people in each village were assembled. This
process aimed to allow all of the villagers to raise their views
on UXO impacts to their individual lives freely
Outcomes and effects
- To be reported, drafted by Environmental Study Center,
- Consultant under the supervision of Environment Research
Institute.
- To be presented and analyze the evidence gathered;
- Identify
issues for further work if necessary.
Note:
- First mission
was conducted in STEA, on 27 February 2004.
- Second mission
was conducted in was conducted in Sekong on 15-17 June
2004, and 14-19 Oct 2004, in Oudomsay and Phongsaly
2. Case Study on Non Timber Forest Production (NTFP):
Summary
Lao People Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is one of the poorest
countries in Asia, with rural population, who mainly live in disadvantaged
locations with high vulnerability, account for more than 80 percents
of the total population. Most of them are mainly found in the
uplands with less opportunity to clean water, sanitation facility,
education and other Government provided public facilities. These
people depend very much on upland farming system and forest produces
for food and cash income. In their daily livelihood NTFPs play
an important role in food security and is being perceived by the
Lao government as an important alternative in basic poverty eradication
strategy. However, a rapid decline of these resources is observed
as a result of many kinds of human interventions, while struggling
to find ways out for more food and income. As a part of
these practices, possible negative impacts from the implementation
of Government’s policy such as village relocation, focal
zone development, and land allocation and land use planning have
been observed, but, up to date, clear evidence seems not exist.
In addition, many studies suggested the hypothesis that poverty
and environmental problems are closely interrelated. In particular,
findings from the study on Poverty-Environment Nexus (PEN) Phase
I (2002) showed strong linkages between poverty and environment
the following environment indicators: deforestation, fragile land,
outdoor and indoor air pollution, access to clean water and sanitation.
This case study was, therefore, conducted with technical assistance
from the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute
(NAFRI), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) to reach a
more comprehensive understanding about the spatial prevalence,
and the magnitude of disproportionate burden of environment degradation
on the poor, especially between poverty and natural resources,
taking NTFP as the case resource. With the purpose this case study
is not intended to quantify NFTP resources and its economic values,
but to describe its general role; status and trends; contributions
to poverty eradication; and possible reversing impacts on the
sustainability of the resources from other development practices.
Based on findings of the studies indicative recommendations on
the improvement of the Government related policy are expected.
Due to resources and time constraints, the case study is scoped
to take place in two poorest districts which cover contrasted
ranges poverty, environmental and socio-economic dimensions: Na
Mo (Oudomxay) and Phouvong Districts (Attapeu).
Background
Lao People Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is one of the poorest
countries in Asia with GDP per capita of US$310 in 2002 and annual
GDP growth at about 6 percents. Although poverty incidence
has steadily declined in recent years, the country is ranked as
one of the poorest in the region with a poverty incidence rate
of around 39 percent in 1998.
A land area of about 236,800 km2 in relation to the number of
inhabitants is considered large with a population density is 23
per km2. The majority of the population is concentrated in limited
lowland areas, mainly on the Mekong plain stretching along the
Mekong River. Rural population, who mainly live in disadvantaged
locations with high vulnerability, account for more than 80 percents
of the total population. Most of them are mainly found in the
uplands with less opportunity to clean water, sanitation facility,
education and other Government provided public facilities.
Although the country is known as a rich country in natural resources,
with forest areas covering about 47 percents of the total
land area in 1992, limited availability
of flat lands, shifting cultivation, usually found in
uplands, forms a fundamental farming system of the country. A
relative high annual population growth at more than 2 percents
plus degradation of soil fertility caused by soil erosion resulting
in low crop (rice) yield, intensify pressure on natural resources,
particularly natural forests. As a result, Non Timber Forest Products
(NTFP), known as a fatal resource for rural food security and
income source, rapidly decline along with the speed of forest
degradation.
In spite of the absence of clear evidence to what extent rural
poverty is exacerbated by environmental degradation, especially
forest degradation, local experiences show that forest decline,
particularly the decline of NTFPs both quantitatively and qualitatively
means for rural forest depending people less food and income.
The examples above illustrate a fairly clear indication that
poverty and environmental problems are closely interrelated. In
general, the nexus has been recognized for long time by the Government
of Lao PDR (GOL). Clear evidence can be seen in the government
poverty eradication policy and strategies, more recently known
as NGPES where forest resources, particularly NTFP is viewed as
a fatal alternative resources for food security and income sources
of the rural poor.
A deeper insight about the spatial relationship between selected
environmental and poverty indicators at a provincial level were
reported in the Poverty-Environment Nexus (PEN) Phase I report,
completed in October of 2002. The finding showed strong linkages
between poverty and environment the following environment indicators:
deforestation, fragile land, outdoor and indoor air pollution,
access to clean water and sanitation.
PEN Phase I emphasized the studies on a broader scale, mainly
touching the aspect at national and provincial levels. In order
to reach a more comprehensive understanding about the spatial
prevalence, and the magnitude of disproportionate burden of environment
degradation on the poor, case studies are needed to clarify poverty-environment
linkages at lower levels of poverty (i.e. district, village and
households).
For this purpose, as a result of a close consultation with the
World Bank expert team and under leadership of the Acting Director
of the Environmental Research Institute (ERI), an interactive
National PEN II Study Team which comprises of representatives
from four relevant ministries: (1) Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry (MAF); (2) Ministry of Public Health; (3) Ministry of
Communication and Transport; and (4) the Science, Technology,
and Environmental Agency (STEA) under the Prime Minister’s
Office was formed at the end of 2004. The study team is subdivided
into four case study teams to deal with four subject areas which
are found directly associated with poverty eradication, namely
natural resource; rural road access; sanitation and UXO. An appointed
national expert takes the role to lead each case study team. To
ensure a good coordination and consultation between case study
teams, ERI and the WB expert team, the director of Environmental
Training Centre under ERI was assigned to perform as the project
coordinator.
With regard to linkages between poverty and forest resources,
a technical team from the National Agriculture and Forestry Research
Institute (NAFRI) was sub-contracted
to assist the national technical team from the Environmental Research
Institute (ERI), STEA in carrying out a more specific study and
providing inputs related to linkages between poverty and access
to natural resources, particularly linkages between NTFPs and
rural poverty, which will be incorporated in a country report.
This report summarizes findings of case study on the linkages
between access to natural forest resources and poverty reduction,
emphasizing the specific case of NTFP. The case study is not an
intensive study to quantify NFTP resources and its economic values,
but to describe its general role and values which could be used
as fundamental indication for policy responses. More specifically,
the study focuses on the examination on two main types of research
questions:
- What are the challenges facing the government and the
affected communities in reducing poverty while stabilizing
shifting-cultivation? What are the policy options and implementation
requirements?
- What are the constraints to access to land and forest
(protected or otherwise) resources? What are the policy
options and implementation requirements? If the constraints
were removed, what would be the benefits and costs to the
government as well as to the affected community?
Recognizing the fact of resource and time constraints, the case
study is scoped to take place in two poorest districts: Na Mo
in Oudomxay Province in the North and Phouvong District in Attapeu
Province in the South which cover contrasted ranges of NTFPs and
human environments. In order to have an general overview of NTFP
related status and trends at national level, document reviews
and a simple national NTFP survey were also conducted.
At the end, the case study is expected to provide the following
results: (1) a quality database at national level and in the two
districts for the main commercial NTFPs, (2) quantitative analysis
of NTFP-poverty-environment linkages at these two levels, and
(3) recommendations on how landuse planning and shifting cultivation
policies can best support sustainable incomes from NTFPs for poor
upland communities.
Proposes
- To examine status & trends of NTFPs in relation
to marketed quantity, availability of resources and cultivation
status of income important species at national and local
levels
- To study environmental, poverty and policy linkages
of NTFP in connection to village consolidation and village
migration; road network development, UXO contamination,
and local livelihood and land use practices.
Organizers
National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, MAF
Outcomes and effects
Policies
- NTFP is an important element in the NGPES agriculture
and forestry development plan.
- Government promotes marketing and sustainable use of
NTFP for food security and forest conservation, yet it
has not been clearly interpreted into real practices.
- While NTFP market is increasing and resources are declining,
there is no specific policy Statement about NTFP cultivation or
rehabilitation
Legal framework:
- There is legal framework for sustainable management
and utilization of forest resources /NTFP and development
is ongoing
- There are forest regulations, but insufficient specific
regulations regarding sustainable NTFP management and uses
- The existing regulation supporting NTFP market is vague,
scattered and difficult to follow
Institutional framework
- Increasing interests and involvement in NTFP development
and research
- Some certain Information sharing and networking in place,
but not institutionalized and enhanced
- Limited access to market information to support NTFP
cultivation and processing
- lack of clear roles and responsibilities of stakeholders,
especially within Government sectors
- Weak cross-sectoral
coordination
Note:
- The National
Forest Inventory, NOFIP, DOF, 1992
- Phouthone
Sophathilth, Team leader; Khamphay Manivong, Forest Management
expert; and Sounthone Ketphanh, NTFP exper
3. Poverty- Environmental Nexus on Road Project:
Summary
PEN II is gain idea from PEN I, completed in October 2002, and
the finding showed strong linkages between poverty and environment
such as: deforestation, fragile land, outdoor and in door air
pollution, access to clean water and sanitation. This work had
carried out by the Environmental Research Institute (ERI), and
its study association of line ministries which provide on the
job training to staff.
This case study mostly relevant data/information and policy
guideline for the National and Provincial Committee on Poverty
Eradication through the improvement of health care, specific water
and sanitation supply, access to roads and development agriculture
sector in order to ensure food security to poor villages, to use
in a sustainable manner the national natural resources and to
steadily a assist in the development and promotion of environment
research in Lao PDR.
The purpose of this study is to find out the natural resources
status in the villages within the road and without the road. It
also to find the poverty in the villages there was road access
there was no road access.
The methodology of the study is following the WB’s guideline
which work carried out by interviewed in each relevant Department
in Province, District, villages and households. In villages and
household use two questionnaires which were difference questions.
The study observed real situation of study area particularly road
condition, house types, walking time to market in district and
others related to cause of poverty.
Second data was also collected during the field visit to Province,
district and villages, especially socio economic development plan
and yearly report in relevant in those places.
The limitation of data collection was extensive time because
poor road to go to villages, local people did not much understand
middle language of Lao PDR, it necessary to use local translators.
Background
Lao PDR is a least Developed Country and according to most indicators
is one of the poorest countries in South East Asia (UN Classification).
There is 10% of the population experience acute malnutrition with
approximately 47% suffering chronic nutrition (Word Food Programme).
Therefore, Lao PDR Government had laid the policies for Poverty
Eradication in country.
The Poverty Environment Nexus (PEN) phase I, completed in October
2002, and the finding showed a strong linkages between poverty
and environment the following indicators: deforestation, fragile
land, outdoor and indoor air pollution, access to clean water
and sanitation which this work had mainly driven by immediate
research objectives by the World Bank and in PEN II work had to
be undertaken at the disaggregated/local levels like district,
village and households in order to clarify poverty environment
linkages.
In PEN II work had carried out by the Environmental Research
Institute (ERI), and its study association of line ministries
which provide on the job training to staff.
This case study mostly relevant data/information and policy
guideline for the National and Provincial Committee on Poverty
Eradication through the improvement of access to roads and development
agriculture sector in order to ensure food security to poor villages,
to use in a sustainable manner the national natural resources
and to steadily a assist in the development and promotion of environment
research in Lao PDR.
NGPES is also mention that Investment in infrastructure particularly
road, it continue to be an essential component in promoting economic
growth nation wide, comprehensive infrastructure is essential
to help farmers access improved services and local, national and
regional market.
Because on above reasons, this case study has to find out the
relationship between the Poverty Environmental Nexus on Road Access,
which implemented in both Kaluem and Ngot Ou District.
Kaluem District located in the southern part of Sekong Province.
Geographically, it shares a border with Viet Nam and is mostly
surrounding by mountain. It occupies an area of 351,750 Km2, with
a population of 12, 053 of which 6,300 are women, comprising labour
4,223 people. Most of population live along the Sekong River,
remote and mountain areas. Almost of land 95% is mountainous area
and consist of mainly 8 ethnic groups namely Katou, Ngey, Chatong,
Ta Oy, Ta Lieng, Pako, Alak and Lao Loum. They live with
shifting cultivation, rice crop and livestock. Because of district
locate in remote area; it is limited to communication, education,
health care and other need developments. Authority of district
classified that 96.4% is poor of 1,613 households within 63 villages.
Ngot Ou District is located in the north-western part of the
Phonsali Province, is the sole district the provinces sharing
a border with China and Viet Nam. It is 134 km far from Phongsali
district. It occupies an area of 3,318 km2; there are 91 villages,
with population of 27, 235 people and 13, 400 women, 4,328 households,
and labour cover 9,055 people. Population density there are 8
people/Km2, population growth rate is 1.4%/year, is population
composes of mainly 11 ethnic groups such as Lie, Ho, Yao, Khea,
Kor, Tainea, Sida, Yang, Lolo, Hagy and Phounoy. The average household
income is 255, 12 kip/year (24 USD)
A part from the socio economic condition that previously provided
the communication access in the Province is very poor. There was
only a main gravel road stretching from Boun Neua District to
Ngot Ou District, Which is far from remote residential areas,
it needs to develop other road access such as feeder roads. Development
of other road access and feeder road will then open access of
local communities to markets and other services, creation of local
jobs related to road construction and tourism opportunities. These
will contribute directly to local income general and hence to
poverty reduction and eradication.
As Ngot Ou, Kaluem has almost no road access, and access to
other services such as health and education facilities and development
is extremely limited. Hence development of communication access
is crucial since it will bring similar economic opportunities
and return mentioned above.
Proposes
- This case study was implemented only in 2 poorest districts
(Representative of first priority of the 47 poorest Districts:
Kaluem and Yot Ou)
- To study the natural resources status (NTFP) in the
villages with road access and without road access
- To study the situation of livelihood in the poor villages
and household within the road access and without.
- To study the decline of NTFP between villages with road
and without road access
Organizers
Environmental and Social Division, Department of Road, MCTPC.
Outcomes and effects
- Poverty status in villages there was road access and
without
- NTFP’s status in villages there was road access
and without
- Types of transportation use in 2 districts
4. Water Supply and Sanitation Situation In Relation To Poverty In Two Urban Districts, Lao PDR
The study is covered 2 center urban Districts of 2 poorest Provinces
as Phongsaly District/Province and Lamam District, Sekong Province.
There cover 6 villages within 247 households for interview in
Phongsaly and 6 villages within 306 households in Lamam district.
Beside of this, the study is also focused key representatives
from Local Authority, community organizations and other people
who live in urban center areas, through interview, and observation.
All activities of the study concerned people health as urban environmental
management, and there is also one tool that support for national’s
policies, particular on Poverty Reduction.
Its location situation of two urban districts is quite different
as Phongsaly is high land level, but Lamam is quite flat land.
Both districts are still rural, which close to nature and traditional
culture. Thus, both districts water supply system is Gravity system,
but in Phongsaly is quite difficult implementation and more expansive,
if compare with other provinces water supply system in Lao PDR,
particularly Lamam district. Moreover, Phongsly is not sufficiency
water quantity to support water supply system during dry season,
but Lamam is sufficiency all the year. Both districts latrine
system is same system such as Pour Flush with septic tank, Pour
Flush with concrete pipes, and Dry Pit styles.
In Phongsaly shown household water supply connection 67%, which
78% of HHI satisfy water supply and 74% of HHI planned to improve.
In case of latrine usage in households was approximately 59% of
HHI within Pour Flush 66% of HHI, and >53% of HHI plan to improve.
In the part of Lamam showed 92% of HHI connected water supply,
and 87% of HHI satisfy water supply usage, and 72% of HHI planned
to improve. Lamam latrine usage shown 79% of HHI, within Pour
Flush covered 76% of HHI, and HH plan to improve >76% of HHI.
Accordingly, this study was conducted to find out the possible
way for water supply and sanitation situation in both of urban
districts, particularly on households water and latrine usage
relate people health as well as urban environmental management.
In order to achieve this aim the study proposes some revisions
to the existing water supply and latrine implementation and management
in urban area, particularly in Nam Papa organization and households.
The study is also emphasized to all participation from several
stakeholders, particularly key representative and households suggestion,
in order to recommends possible way for water supply and sanitation
improvement in near future.
Background
Phongsaly and Lamam districts are among the poorest
districts in Lao PDR. Phongsaly is located in the far-northern
province of Phongsaly while Lamam is situated in
the far-southern province of Sekong. Being classified as poorest
districts in Lao PDR, both districts are facing many problems. People
are living in quite poor conditions particularly
the insufficiency of water for daily use and the lack of sanitary
facilities. It is very common to see people in these districts
go to the forest in stead of using toilet. This could be very
difficult for the controlling the spread of commutable
diseases, which cause negative impact to the people’s
health. In other words, despite a very high rate of population
growth, the two districts still have very low coverage
of water supply and low accessibility to clean water. Number
of people who have access to hygienic latrine is also still
limited. Many people’s habits are somewhat glued
with the old and unsanitary behavior. These have resulted
in low quality of people’s living conditions especially
health issues.
The point mentioned above might have impeded the Lao
government’s goal in fighting poverty as stated in
the National Poverty Eradication Program (NPEP),
but now has changed to National Growth and Poverty Eradication
Strategy (NGPES). The situation mentioned
above could be worse in the near future and may lead
to serious problems affecting people’s health and the
country’s human resources if there is no urgent understanding
and/or solution. Therefore, this case study is intended
to study the present situation and find out causes
that main resulted, which relevant to water use and
sanitation in village as well as latrine usage, of the
people in the study areas.
Objectives
- The overall objective of this study is to study on water
supply and sanitation as latrine usage of 2 poorest districts
in Lao PDR.
- And the specific study objectives are:
- To study the water supply and sanitation (Latrine)
situation in relation to poverty in Phongsaly and Lamam
municipalities, particularly on water supply system,
household water connection and usage, water quantity-quality,
financial, household latrine usage, and environment pollution
for sanitation
- To find possible ways for water supply and sanitation
(Latrine) development for poverty eradication which support
the PEN research.
Organizers
Urban Research Institute (URI), MCTPC
Outcomes and effects
- Poor households have substantially lower coverage rates
of piped water supply in both Lamam and Phongsaly.
- An important reason seems to be unaffordable connection
fee.
- The poor do not find the water tariffs any more unreasonable
than the better-off households.
- Water quality is the most important motivation for improved
water supply both for poor and better-off households.
- Access
to toilet is substantially lower among poor households
than better-off households in Lamam.
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