According to a study of the UNICEF (1998), some 50% of the households devote to the minimum a half hour to collect a jerrican of 20 litres of water, while a quarter must set apart more than an hour. This estimate does not take into account the effort and considerable energy used by the women and the children to transport the 20 litres. The water sources are normally located in the valleys, at the foot of the mountains and hills.
The unavailability of drinkable water has two principal negative impacts on the communities: (i) the time devoted to the search for water could be used for income generating activities (ii) the health consequences due to the use of unsafe drinking water.
The Government of Rwanda has implemented reforms to encourage strong economical growth, create employment and improve the social conditions of the population.
Based on the discussions and field visits, a number of areas where the WAC II will collaborate with the Kigali Authorities in the water and sanitation sector have been identified. These include:
- Development of community managed small bore sewerage system in Cyhafi sector of Kigali
- Development of rainwater harvesting pilot projects in Cyhafi
- Development of a Water Demand Management strategy for Kigali with a special focus on poor settlements;
- Urban catchment management strategy to facilitate appropriate mitigation measures and to reduce pollution from urban activities into water bodies in Kigali
- Public awareness on sanitation, water conservation and behavioural changes
- Support to water, sanitation and hygiene education in pilot schools
Initial Phase - (May 2005 – September 2005)
This phase involved preparing the project document and getting the document endorsed by all parties.
Preparatory Phase (October 2005 – July 2006)
UN HABITAT carried out a mission to the Rwanda with the intention to evaluate the feasibility of suggested action plans, this phase also involved, the compilation of the project document in order to attract investments and stimulate partnerships. UN-HABITAT developed a partnership framework with the African Development Bank. A national workshop involving all parties was held to validate the project document with the objective of building partnerships.
Implementation Phase (August 2006 – December 2007)
The implement project begins officially when the project document is signed and will end in December 2007.