From 28 June to 6 July 2022, HAMAP-Humanitaire travelled to Cambodia for the water and sanitation access project for the people of the Stung Sen basin in the commune of Putrea.

The aims of the mission were:

  •  The final evaluation of the network extension project in Putrea and training of the management committee before the project closes.

The Putrea network was first inaugurated in 2019 during phase 1 of the project, then extended in 2021 during phase 2, led by HAMAP-Humanitaire and the NGO Rainwater Cambodia.

  •         Follow-up of the project supporting and training 5 management committees in the Stung Sen basin

This part of the project aims to train and support the five committees as they take on their new responsibilities, technically (operations and maintenance), organisationally (division of tasks, drafting of statutes, governance), in terms of steering (budget monitoring, invoicing, administration) and in social marketing (raising awareness of good water use and hygiene, promoting individual connections to the network).

  •        Preparing the water access project in the village of Tang Krasov and the network extension in Reaksa

The commune of Tang Krasov is made up of 15 villages (some 10,000 people). Water is mainly consumed from bought bottles. There are many private wells for domestic use or drinking. The quality of the wells is very poor, they are shallow, no quality checks are carried out, they are dug close to latrines, and many cases of water-related illness persist. In the dry season groundwater becomes scarcer. Water is a priority for the commune.

In Reaksa the water situation is the same as in Tang Krasov. An extension is planned to connect a neighbourhood that has asked for it and to give the management committee a boost. 150 latrines are planned for the most disadvantaged households.

Overall, the observations made during the mission are positive. The six water supply systems are now fully operational. The quantity of water available is sufficient everywhere and the water has been shown to be safe to drink. The six committees have undeniably gained in technical, managerial and management skills, particularly budgetary ones. All expressed their satisfaction with the training and above all with the tailored support provided.