Rural Savannakhet WASH vulnerability
An assessment of the climate vulnerability of WASH services in Lao PDR's most populous province and commonly practised coping mechanisms by communities.
Abstract
Savannakhet Province, the most populous in Lao PDR with over 1.1 million residents, faces significant challenges due to its geography, bordered by the Mekong River and a mountainous area with Vietnam. Climate hazards like flooding, drought, storms, and erosion severely impact the local government’s ability to ensure the provision of sustainable basic water and sanitation services. With the highest rate of open defecation and significant drinking water contamination, there's an urgent need to enhance service provision, emphasising resilience and inclusivity, specifically for populations that are most vulnerable. A detailed assessment conducted in Atsaphone, Champhone, and Phalanxay Districts between June and November 2023 offers insights into understanding the impact of climate hazards on the province’s water and sanitation systems, and how the community is coping with their new realities.
Author
Rachel Pringle, Sector Leader, SNV in Water
Bibliography
SNV, Climate vulnerability of water and sanitation services in rural Savannakhet: An assessment, Vientiane, SNV, 2024.
Donors & Partners
Government of Lao PDR, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Government of Australia, and University of Technology Sydney-Institute for Sustainable Futures
For more information
Contact SNV's Water team in Lao PDR