Midterm Review of Water and Sanitation Sector 22 – 23 June 2009, Baghdad

1. Midterm Review of Water and Sanitation Sector 22 – 23 June 2009, Baghdad

2. Partnerships and Coordination UN Agencies UNICEF, UNDP, UNHABITAT, FAO, WHO, UNHCR, UNOCHA, UNOPS, ESCWA, IOM NGOs (National/ International) ACTED, Islamic Relief, Mercy Corps, International Medical Corps, HELP, International Relief and Development, Premiere Urgence, Norwegian Churches Aid, Relief International, Mercy Hands Chaired by UNICEF Line Ministries Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation, Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works, Ministry of Municipalities in KRG, Mayoralty of Baghdad, Ministry of Environment

3. National priority or goals (NDS 2007- 2010) Full access to water and health services ICI Targets 4.4.1.5 Reduce population without access to safe drinking water and sanitation to 10% Urban, 30% Rural (Baseline: UNDP Unmet Basic Needs Survey – 40.4% population without access to safe drinking water and sanitation of which 20% in Urban and 60.4% in Rural); 4.4.2 Address the needs of IDPs, refugees and returnees while also enabling them to realize their potential as contributing members of the economic community. 4.4.1.4 Improve health and nutrition of all Iraqis as a cornerstone of welfare and economic development. UN Assistance Strategy To contribute to the achievement of the goals defined in the National Development Strategy (NDS), International Compact with Iraq (ICI) benchmarks, and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Water and Sanitation Sector:

4. Millennium Development Goals MDG 4 : Reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate. MDG 7: Ensure environmental sustainability. Target 7C: Halve, by 2015 the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe water and basic sanitation. The Water and Sanitation Sector assists the government in addressing the remaining MDGs indirectly. UN Assistance Strategy (cont.)

5. Rehabilitation activities by UN agencies to increase access to safe water

6. Sectoral Achievements and Contributions (cont.) • 1.3 million people with improved access to safe water through rehabilitation/installation of 61 water treatment units and 67 water networks. • About 300,000 people with improved sanitation services through rehabilitation of 19 sewage facilities and provision of garbage collection and disposal services. • 1,500 government staff with technical knowledge on various water and sanitation related topics with 32% of women participation.

7. 33 water and wastewater quality control laboratories rehabilitated and provided with water treatment chemicals, laboratory supplies and computerized Laboratory Information Management System; Humanitarian assistance provided to 1.4 million vulnerable Iraqis across the country; Employment generated throughout implementation of rehabilitation projects in Iraq Sectoral Achievements and Contributions (cont.)

8. Good practices (programmatic) Joint programming has lead to efficient and cost effective project implementation; Involvement of senior government staff as part of Technical Working Groups contributes their capacity development and ensures national ownership; Exposure of senior government staff and decision-makers to global best practices enables acceptance of modern methods/ approaches; Lessons Learned

9. Implementation (operational) Timelines for project completion should be rationalised taking into consideration limited capacities of contractors, weak coordination mechanisms between central and governorate levels, delayed decision making, insecure environment and local disturbances; Improved co-ordination among various partners at the field level is important to ensure achievement of project results; Lessons Learned (cont.)

10. Risk mitigation and management Situation analysis and assessments should be conducted prior to commencement of activities. Access to water and sanitation services alone will not reduce incidence of water borne deceases unless hygiene practices are promoted and implemented. • Assessment of drinking water coverage in cholera-prone areas contributed to cholera prevention. Partnership and coordination Partnership with International and local NGOs has facilitated humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities. Need to enhance collaboration to ensure all sectoral activities are well coordinated with government authorities, donors, UN agencies and NGOs. Need for systematic inter-sectoral collaboration between Ministries. Lessons Learned (cont.)

11. Absence of national policies weakens national level planning. Limited capacities at Governorate levels for planning, implementation and monitoring. Countrywide, only 72.5% people have access to safe water and 26% to sewage facilities and 45% with solid waste collection services (MMPW data for 15 governorates) as a result uncollected solid waste and untreated sewage - an increasing health risk. Frequent shortages in power supply hamper proper functioning of water and sewerage facilities. Inadequate capital and Operations and Maintenance investment (approximately 50% gap between planned and allocated annual budgets). Lessons Learned (cont.) • Challenges and Constraints

12. Need to assist the Government of Iraq in adopting a more holistic approach towards integrated water resources management. Need to assist Government of Iraq in trans-boundary water consultations with riparian states. Regional experiences and lessons learned on drought assessment, early warning systems, drought mitigation measures and response plans should be shared at the regional level. Focus on combating water pollution, rationalizing water consumption and increased re-use of waste water will minimize deterioration of water resources and improve water quality. Key Recommendations

13. Enhanced Monitoring and Surveillance is essential (status of Water and Sanitation infrastructure, Early Warning Early Action for drought, humanitarian situation, water quality). Need to emphasis on rural water and sanitation to attain MDG. Increased Technical Assistance for upstream policy development and planning at national and governorate level is crucial: development of standard guidelines, sectoral plans, development Master Plans at the governorate level. With the imminent closure of the UNDG Iraq Trust Fund, UN Water and Sanitation Sector will need to look at alternative ways of funding. Key Recommendations (cont.)

14. Recommended changes to the Water and Sanitation results matrix Development of Water and Sanitation policy; Renewed focus on capacity development for ministry and governorate staff; Inclusion of hygiene aspects in policy level documents and program planning; Pilot projects to demonstrate appropriate technologies and environment friendly approaches (e.g. to reduce carbon footprint); Support the development of governorate-level master plans and budget execution; Reduced emphasis on infrastructure rehabilitation activities; Readjustment of targets for the remaining period of the UN Assistance Strategy; The need for increased inter-sectoral collaboration with Health, Education, and Shelter Sectors. Key Recommendations (cont.)