Unicef assistance to the people of Nepal in the water supply and sanitation sector : 1990 status report : part 1: sector overview

This status report is the result of a decision made by the Water and Environmental Sanitation Sector (WES) of UNICEF to record the status of UNICEF's assistance to the water supply and sanitation sector in Nepal. The first part of the report gives an overview of the country's background and the situation of the water and sanitation sector since 1971, mentioning progress achieved by the local government with assistance of UNICEF and other donors. UNICEF's assistance is analysed in terms of systems established, manpower development, women's involvement, institutional development, and policies. The targets set for the Decade were not achieved. Population growth makes it extremely difficult to attain the target of Health for All by the Year 2000, although the mortality rate is declining. The number of people served by a safe water supply system is slowly increasing in both urban and rural areas. The political change, decentralization of sector activities, involvement of NGO's, and increasing external support can improve the situation.. More time and effort is necessary for the people to reach a good understanding of the country's new political characteristics and to introduce innovative approaches to achieve the defined goals. The second part of the report will review the ongoing and forthcoming programme of cooperation between the Government of Nepal and UNICEF.