The Development of Sustainable Water and Sanitation Systems in Rural Areas of the CAREC Region
A focus on China, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
Highlights
Lack of access to safe water and sanitation impacts the living standards of populations and undermines public health. Based on a UN forecast, by 2050 water shortages will become a crucial issue for over 5.5 billion people globally. Public health, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, depends on available water, sanitation, and hygiene services (WASH), including regular and proper handwashing. This is directly relevant to the target countries of this study - China, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
The main goals of this study are to analyze the current situation regarding drinking water supply and sanitation services in rural areas of the study countries, to identify the critical challenges of rural communities in accessing the WASH services, and to provide recommendations for the future development of the WASH sector whilst considering the most vulnerable populations, including children, women and their communities.
This study report offers a unique perspective by comparing Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia with China, allowing them to consider the transfer of knowledge and best practices.
