1 November 2012: The World Bank approved a US$200 million International Development Association (IDA) credit to fund implementation of Viet Nam’s National Target Program (NTP) for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation. The project is expected to provide clean drinking water to 1.7 million people and improved sanitation for 650,000 people in the Red River Delta region.

The project aims to: improve access to water and sanitation services in rural Viet Nam, in areas with historically low access; strengthen institutions mechanisms and planning processes; and undertake monitoring and evaluation of the results. Announcing the financing, Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank Country Director for Viet Nam, underlined that access to water and sanitation will improve quality of life for rural communities and help ensure sustainable and equitable growth in Viet Nam. [World Bank Press Release]