Strengthening the ability to define and apply water and sanitation policies

Paraguay struggles with considerable water and sanitation challenges. Only 50% of the poorest households have drinkable water, and only 10% of all sewage is treated. Paraguay's indigenous communities are particularly badly off: only 6% of households have drinking water, and only 3% have access to sanitation. The Joint Programme is aimed at increasing access to sanitation and potable water, with an emphasis on dispersed rural communities and indigenous populations.

The programme's goals are to:

i) Strengthen capabilities for efficiently managing water and sanitation services;

ii) Bolster the ability of citizens to exercise their rights and actively participate in planning and overseeing the actions of the public sector;

iii) Develop models for financing water and sanitation infrastructure through local financial instruments that aim for sustainability of the systems; and

iv) Improve access to, and the quality of, water and sanitation services in rural areas and indigenous communities in the interior of the country.