The Lao experience : learning from a 30-month policy reform and institutional strengthening initiative in Lao PDR's RWSS sector

This note describes the work of the Regional Water and Sanitation Group for East Asia and Pacific, in participation with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and other sector partners, focused on maximizing national ownership of policy guidance, with some lessons of experience in Lao, which may hold interest for other countries. The slow progress of rural water supply and sanitation, requires corrections for the long-term, in particular, the use of installed facilities, sustainability through community-based management, and impact on health, socioeconomic, and environmental conditions. Additionally, there is the need for improved concentration, and accessibility of services, where coverage could be more rapid, and, to modify the tendency within the sector, which is externally driven, towards a more Lao-led approach, taking into account the weak institutional, and human resources capacity. The mutual learning experience demonstrates, in hindsight, what could have been done differently: a focus on processes, and opportunities for resources to be tapped; acknowledge national input, so as to motivate professional fulfillment; build capacities, both through training, and on-the-job development skills. Such strategy helps in evolving processes of change, and in sealing up improved sectoral investments, and facilitation of new investments.