Rural water supply and saniation initiation: the second water forum

Abstract

The African Development bank’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative (RWSSI) is a response towards the attainment of the goals of the Africa water vision declared at the second world water forum in the Hague in March 2000. The objectives of the Millennium Development Goals gave on additional impetus to the Initiative. The Bank group developed a concept paper on the initiative in January 2003. The concept paper made proposals for strategic measures and actions for achieving 80% access to water supply and sanitation services to rural areas in Africa by the year 2015. The RWSSI would be implemented through partnership with regional member countries, donors and other stakeholders. This partnership would look to NEPAD and AMCOW for political leadership, with governments and civil society embracing the key principles and practices that will create the required environment for the bank group and the donor community to provide technical and financial support.