ADB to provide $27.4m for water supply, sanitation in Kyrgyz Republic

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $27.4m package for a project to provide safe and reliable water supply and sanitation services in a rural area of the Kyrgyz Republic.

ADB’s assistance consists of a $13.7m results-based loan and a $13.7m grant from the Asian Development Fund.

The Naryn Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Development Program is intended to improve water supply and sanitation infrastructure and facilities in the Naryn province. Around 29% of the population below the poverty line resides in this province.

The programme supports the government’s goal of increasing access to safe water supply from 40% to 90% and for sanitation services from 10% to 70% by 2026.

ADB senior urban development specialist for Central and West Asia Jude Kohlhase said: “Access to safe and reliable water supply and sanitation services is a basic human right and integral to the growth and development prospects of a developing country like the Kyrgyz Republic.

“We are committed to helping the people of the Kyrgyz Republic, especially in the province of Naryn, lead healthier and more productive lives.”

Under the programme, safe water sources, water storage and treatment and disinfection systems, distribution networks for 31 programme villages, as well as gender-sensitive safe water and sanitation facilities in selected education and health facilities will be created.

Non-networked household sanitation solutions for remote areas will also be piloted as part of the programme.

The programme will also strengthen the institutional capacity of utility providers to offer better service delivery. This will include better financial management and gender-specific measures in their operations, including at least 20% employment for women.

Of the $32.9m cost of the programme, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic will contribute $5.5m. ADB will also provide a $225,000 technical assistance grant. The programme is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

ADB will also provide an additional grant of $2.5m from a small expenditure financing facility for the implementation of the programme, including verification of the programme results.