Document of The World Bank

Report No: ICR00003289 Public Disclosure Authorized

IMPLEMENTATION COMPLETION AND RESULTS REPORT (IDA-45600 IDA-H4620)

ON A

CREDIT

IN THE AMOUNT OF SDR 3.8 MILLION

Public Disclosure Authorized (US$5.5 MILLION EQUIVALENT)

AND A GRANT

IN THE AMOUNT OF SDR 3.1 MILLION (US$ 4.5 MILLION EQUIVALENT)

TO THE

KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

Public Disclosure Authorized FOR A

SECOND RURAL WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION PROJECT

April 27, 2015

Water Global Practice (GWADR) Central Asia Country Management Unit Public Disclosure Authorized Europe and Central Asia Region

CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (Exchange Rate Effective October 31, 2014)

Currency Unit = Kyrgyz Som (KGS) KGS Som 1.00 = US$ 0.0174 US$ 1.00 = KGS 57.47

FISCAL YEAR 15

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

ADB Asian Development Bank AO Ayil Okmotu (Village Administration – Local Self-Government Body) CAS Country Assistance Strategy CBISSP Community Based Infrastructure Services Sector Project (ADB-financed) CDD Childhood Diarrhea Diseases CDS Country Development Strategy CDWSA Community Drinking Water Supply Association CDWUU Community Drinking Water Users Union (Association) DFID Department for International Development (UK) DRWS Department of Rural Water Supply DWSS Department of Water Supply and Sanitation FM Financial Management FMR Financial Monitoring Report FSU Former Soviet Union GIS Geographical Information System GoKR Government of the Kyrgyz Republic IA Impact Assessment ICR Implementation Completion Report IDA International Development Association IEG Independent Evaluation Group IFR Interim un-audited Financial Report IRR Internal Rate of Return ISR Implementation Status Report KAS Kyrgyz Ayil Suu M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MAWRPI Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Processing Industry MOF Ministry of Finance MOH Ministry of Health MIS Management Information System MTR Mid-term Review NALSG National Agency for Local Self-Governance NCHP National Center for Health Promotion NGO Non-governmental Organization OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

O&M Operation and Maintenance PAD Project Appraisal Document PHAST Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation PMC Project Management Consultant PMU Project Management Unit QAG Quality Assurance Group RCHP Republican Center for Health Promotion RHSP Rural Hygiene and Sanitation Project RRK Rapid Response Kit RWSSP Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project SAACS State Agency for Architecture, Construction and Communal Services SDA Service Delivery Agreement SES Sanitary Epidemiological Surveillance SNIPs State Technical Engineering Standards (acronym from Russian)

Vice President: Laura Tuck Country Director: Saroj Kumar Jha Senior Global Practice Director, Water Junaid Kamal Ahmad Practice Manager: Dina Umali-Deininger Project Team Leader: Anna Cestari/Pier Francesco Mantovani ICR Team Leader: Sanyu Lutalo

KYRGYZ REPUBLIC SECOND RURAL WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION PROJECT

CONTENTS

Data Sheet A. Basic Information B. Key Dates C. Ratings Summary D. Sector and Theme Codes

E. Bank Staff F. Results Framework Analysis G. Ratings of Project Performance in ISRs H. Restructuring I. Disbursement Graph

A. Basic Information ...... i B. Key Dates ...... i C. Ratings Summary ...... i D. Sector and Theme Codes ...... ii E. Bank Staff ...... ii F. Results Framework Analysis ...... iii G. Ratings of Project Performance in ISRs ...... viii H. Restructuring (if any) ...... ix 1. Project Context, Development Objectives and Design ...... 1 2. Key Factors Affecting Implementation and Outcomes ...... 8 3. Assessment of Outcomes ...... 17 4. Assessment of Risk to Development Outcome ...... 25 5. Assessment of Bank and Borrower Performance ...... 26 6. Lessons Learned ...... 29 7. Comments on Issues Raised by Borrower/Implementing Agencies/Partners ...... 32 Annex 1. Project Costs and Financing ...... 33 Annex 2. Outputs by Component ...... 34 Annex 3. Economic and Financial Analysis ...... 43 Annex 4. Bank Lending and Implementation Support/Supervision Processes ...... 47 Annex 5. Beneficiary Survey Results ...... 49 Annex 6. Stakeholder Workshop Report and Results ...... 55 Annex 7. Summary of Borrower's ICR and/or Comments on Draft ICR ...... 56 Annex 8. Comments of Cofinanciers and Other Partners/Stakeholders ...... 89 Annex 9. List of Supporting Documents ...... 90

A. Basic Information

Second Rural Water Country: Kyrgyz Republic Project Name: Supply & Sanitation IDA-45600,IDA- Project ID: P110267 L/C/TF Number(s): H4620 ICR Date: 02/18/2015 ICR Type: Core ICR Lending Instrument: SIL Borrower: KYRGYZ REPUBLIC Original Total XDR 6.90M Disbursed Amount: XDR 6.90M Commitment: Revised Amount: XDR 6.90M Environmental Category: B Implementing Agencies1: Community Development and Investment Agency (ARIS) Co-financiers and Other External Partners2: UNICEF UK Department for International Development (DFID )

B. Key Dates Revised / Actual Process Date Process Original Date Date(s) Concept Review: 03/21/2008 Effectiveness: 08/19/2009 08/19/2009 Approval: 04/21/2009 Mid-term Review: 05/31/2011 06/02/2011 Closing: 05/31/2013 10/31/2014

C. Ratings Summary C.1 Performance Rating by ICR Outcomes: Moderately Satisfactory Risk to Development Outcome: Substantial Bank Performance: Satisfactory Borrower Performance: Moderately Satisfactory

C.2 Detailed Ratings of Bank and Borrower Performance (by ICR) Bank Ratings Borrower Ratings Moderately Moderately Quality at Entry: Government: Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory

1 At approval, the Implementing Agency was the Department of Rural Water Supply under the National Agency of Local Self Governance Affairs, Kyrgyz Republic. 2 UNICEF was contracted by ARIS to support implementation of Component 2. DFID was a co-financier.

Implementing Quality of Supervision: Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Agency/Agencies: Overall Bank Overall Borrower Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Performance: Performance:

C.3 Quality at Entry and Implementation Performance Indicators Implementation QAG Assessments Indicators Rating Performance (if any) Potential Problem Project Quality at Entry No None at any time (Yes/No): (QEA): Problem Project at any Quality of Yes None time (Yes/No): Supervision (QSA): DO rating before Moderately

Closing/Inactive status: Satisfactory

D. Sector and Theme Codes Original Actual Sector Code (as % of total Bank financing) Public administration- Water, sanitation and flood 10 10 protection Sanitation 30 15 Water supply 60 75

Theme Code (as % of total Bank financing) Rural policies and institutions 30 30 Rural services and infrastructure 70 70

E. Bank Staff Positions At ICR At Approval Vice President: Laura Tuck Shigeo Katsu Country Director: Saroj Kumar Jha Motoo Konishi Practice Dina Umali-Deininger Wael Zakout Manager/Manager: Project Team Leader: Anna Cestari Mirlan Aldayarov ICR Team3 Leader: Anna Cestari ICR Primary Author: Sanyu Lutalo

3 The ICR team included Sanyu, Lutalo, Pier Francesco Mantovani, Paula Restrepo Cadavid and Luis Eduardo Quintero.

F. Results Framework Analysis

Project Development Objectives (from Project Appraisal Document) The original Project Development Objective of RWSSP-2 was to assist the Borrower in: (i) improving access to potable water for the participating communities; and (ii) to improving hygiene, sanitation and water-related practices at individual, family and institutional levels in the rural areas.

Revised Project Development Objectives (as approved by original approving authority) The revised Project Development Objective was to assist the Borrower in (i) improving access to potable water for the participating communities: (ii) improving hygiene, sanitation, and water related practices at individual, family, and institutional levels in the rural areas, and (iii) strengthening the institutional framework and capacity for the rural drinking water supply and sanitation sector.

(a) PDO Indicator(s)

Original Target Formally Actual Value Values (from Revised Achieved at Indicator Baseline Value approval Target Completion or documents) Values Target Years Percentage of people with access to drinking water in the network (for at least 4 Indicator 1 days a week/12 hours a day) as a result of the project. (Original)

Value 50/54 Target not See comment quantitative or 0 revised. below. Qualitative)

Indicator 1 Number of people in rural areas provided with access to improved water supply (Revised) service under the project. Value quantitative or 0 Not applicable 60,000 83,000 Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 The revised target was fully achieved and exceeded (138%) at completion. The Comments revised indicator (a core indicator) was introduced as part of project restructuring (incl. % in November 2012. The original indicator was not formally measured at achievement) completion since it was dropped as part of the same restructuring.

Percentage of water quality tests in the service area of the rehabilitated schemes Indicator 2 : that meet national standards for drinking water. Value Target not quantitative or No data. 80% 90% revised. Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments The target was fully achieved and exceeded (112.5%). The indicator was revised (incl. % as part of restructuring to focus on samples in the service areas. achievement)

Percentage of people in communities in project area reporting about the use of Indicator 3 : soap for hand-washing after toilet use. Value Target not quantitative or 60 70 72.7 revised. Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments Target fully achieved and exceeded. This indicator was introduced during (incl. % implementation and upon restructuring. achievement) Indicator 4 : Average level of O&M cost recovery by utilities targeted by the project. (%) Value Target not quantitative or Data not available. 60 70 revised. Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments (incl. % The target was fully achieved and exceeded (117%). achievement) Reduction in the incidence (number of cases) of water supply and sanitation Indicator 5 : related illnesses (Giardia and/or Hepatitis A) in communities that participate in the project (%). Value Target not See comment quantitative or Data not available. -60% revised. below. Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments This indicator was moved to Intermediate Outcome indicators during (incl. % implementation as part of restructuring (See IO 13 below). achievement) Indicator 6 : State Water Supply and Sanitation Strategy endorsed by government. Value This indicator was Strategy Strategy completed quantitative or No strategy in place. introduced during completed and and endorsed. Qualitative) implementation. endorsed. Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments (incl. % The target was fully achieved. achievement)

(b) Intermediate Outcome Indicator(s)

Original Target Actual Value Formally Values (from Achieved at Indicator Baseline Value Revised approval Completion or Target Values documents) Target Years Indicator 1 : Number of water supply systems rehabilitated by the project. Value (quantitative 0 60 35 37 or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014

Comments The revised target was fully achieved. The original target was revised as part of (incl. % project restructuring in 2012. achievement) Number of improved community water points constructed or rehabilitated under Indicator 2 : the project. Value (quantitative 0 Not applicable. 226 226 or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments The target was fully achieved. This core indicator was introduced as part of (incl. % project restructuring in 2012. achievement) Indicator 3 : New piped household water connections resulting from the project intervention. Value (quantitative 0 Not applicable. 2000 3902 or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments The target was fully achieved. This core indicator was introduced as part of (incl. % project restructuring in 2012. The target was not included in the approved achievement) Project Paper. Piped household water connections benefitting from rehabilitation works Indicator 4 : undertaken by the project. Value (quantitative 0 Not applicable. 1000 1000 or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments The target was fully achieved. This core indicator was introduced as part of (incl. % project restructuring in 2012. The target was not included in the approved achievement) Project Paper. Indicator 5 : People provided with access to improved sanitation facilities under the project. 9151 (mainly Value school children and (quantitative 0 Not applicable 5000 staff in beneficiary or Qualitative) schools) Date achieved 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments The target was fully achieved and exceeded. This indicator was introduced (incl. % during implementation. achievement) Indicator 6 : Number of improved latrines constructed under the project Value (quantitative 0 Not available. 10 18 * or Qualitative) Date achieved 12/14/2012 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 The target was fully achieved and exceeded (180%). This indicator was Comments introduced during implementation. * Of the 18 toilets, 10 were constructed (incl. % outside the school buildings and 8 rehabilitated and refurbished inside school achievement) buildings. Indicator 7 : Equipment units procured for operation and maintenance of schemes (Number).

Value (quantitative 0 Not available. 10 60 or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments (incl. % The target was fully achieved and exceeded (600%). achievement) Number of schools in project area with a functioning water supply connection as Indicator 8 : a result of the project. Value (quantitative 0 35 35 44 or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments (incl. % The target was fully achieved and exceeded (126%). achievement) Percentage of households in the service area reporting a distance to the nearest Indicator 9 : improved water source at 500/1000 m or less. Value (quantitative 59 69 69 71 or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments (incl. % The target was fully achieved and exceeded. achievement) Number of people trained to improve hygiene behavior or sanitation under the Indicator 10 : project (% of whom are women) 82,160 people were Value trained; of these (quantitative 0 Not applicable. 100,000 60,798 or 74% or Qualitative) were women. Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments The overall target for number of people trained was partially achieved (82%). (incl. % However the targeted number of women (51,000 was exceeded). This indicator achievement) was introduced as part of restructuring during implementation. Percentage of people reporting washing hands before food preparation/washing Indicator 11 : children's hands. Value Not (quantitative 35/24 50/40 53/81 applicable. or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments (incl. % The targets were fully achieved and exceeded. (106%/202.5%) achievement) Number of schools with hand-washing facilities in use with soap and water Indicator 12 : available near toilets in participating communities. Value Not available Not available 35 52 (quantitative

or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments (incl. % The target was fully achieved and exceeded (149%). achievement) Indicator 13 : Reduction in the incidence of waterborne diseases Value (quantitative Data not available -60 Not applicable -62.5 or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments The target was fully achieved and exceeded (104%). Three main diseases were (incl. % considered: acute intestinal infections, viral hepatitis, and helminthic achievement) (worm) invasion. Indicator 14 : Number of water utilities the project is supporting. Value (quantitative 0 Not applicable 35 38 or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments The target was fully achieved. This core indicator was introduced as part of (incl. % restructuring in 2012. achievement) Indicator 15 : Average tariff collection rate in villages served by the project (%) Value (quantitative 0 Not applicable 70 74 or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments The target was fully achieved (105%). This indicator was introduced through (incl. % restructuring. achievement) Number of CDWUU staff trained in fee collection and management of water and Indicator 16 : sanitation schemes. Value (quantitative 0 Not applicable * 200 289 or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments The revised target was achieved and exceeded (144.5%). *The original target (incl. % was based on the number of CDWUUs trained and not on individual staff achievement) numbers. Indicator 17 : Number of CDWUU Service Agreements signed. Value (quantitative 0 60 35 38 or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments The revised target was fully achieved. The original target was reduced as part of (incl. % restructuring to reflect the reduced number of schemes to be rehabilitated. achievement) Indicator 18 : CDWUUs with women taking one of the three most senior positions (%). Value 0 Not applicable. 45 65

(quantitative or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments The revised target was fully achieved. This indicator was introduced as part of (incl. % the project restructuring in 2012. achievement) Number of villages with information on water supply and sanitation included in Indicator 19 : the national database. Value (quantitative 0 1000 1700 1899 or Qualitative) Date achieved 06/22/2009 05/31/2013 10/31/2014 10/31/2014 Comments The original and revised targets were fully achieved and exceeded (199.9% and (incl. % 111.7%, respectively). achievement)

G. Ratings of Project Performance in ISRs

Actual Date ISR No. DO IP Disbursements Archived (USD millions) 1 06/26/2009 Satisfactory Satisfactory 0.00 2 03/02/2010 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 0.90 Moderately Moderately 3 10/18/2010 1.06 Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory 4 03/07/2011 Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory 1.17 5 09/21/2011 Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory 1.10 Moderately Moderately 6 02/01/2012 2.30 Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory Moderately Moderately 7 06/26/2012 3.19 Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory Moderately Moderately 8 12/26/2012 5.84 Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory Moderately Moderately 9 06/20/2013 6.92 Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory Moderately 10 07/29/2013 Moderately Satisfactory 7.35 Unsatisfactory Moderately 11 03/13/2014 Moderately Satisfactory 8.47 Unsatisfactory 12 04/27/2014 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 8.57 13 10/29/2014 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 10.51

H. Restructuring (if any)

ISR Ratings at Amount Board Restructuring Disbursed at Restructuring Reason for Restructuring & Approved Restructuring Date(s) Key Changes Made PDO Change DO IP in USD millions To transfer project executing and implementing 07/25/2011 N U U 0.7 responsibilities to a new entity (ARIS) due to non-performance of original entities. To address a series of implementation and sector challenges; changes were made to the PDO and other aspects, such as scope, Results 11/29/2012 Y MU MU 5.60 Framework, expenditure categories, and safeguard policies. Details are discussed under Sections 1.7 and 2.2 of the main text. To optimize the scope of investments in light of a funding shortfall; also to allow for reallocation of funds among 03/13/2014 N MS MS 8.85 categories, mobilization of US$500,000 in additional co- financing by the GoKR, and adjustments to the Result Framework.

If PDO and/or Key Outcome Targets were formally revised (approved by the original approving body) enter ratings below: Outcome Ratings Against Original PDO/Targets Moderately Satisfactory Against Formally Revised PDO/Targets Satisfactory Overall (weighted) rating Moderately Satisfactory

1. Project Context, Development Objectives and Design

1.1 Context at Appraisal

1. Country and Sector Background. The Kyrgyz Republic is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia, bordering Kazakhstan, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. At appraisal in 2009, the country had a population of about 5.2 million, about two thirds of whom were living in rural areas. Almost 40 percent of the population lived below the poverty line, and rural areas were home to about three quarters of the country’s poor, many of whom live in remote and mountainous areas. More than half of the population works in agriculture, and the sector is still the backbone of the economy. With a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of US$600 in 2007 and US$1,080 in 2014, the country was and remains one of the poorest in the Europe and Central Asia region.

2. Prior to independence from the Former Soviet Union (FSU), potable water was supplied free of charge nationwide, and systems were designed to very conservative technical standards in line with FSU engineering standards. Following independence however, the Kyrgyz Republic faced the reality of economic constraints linked to the break-up of the Soviet economic zone and the end of centralized subsidies from Moscow. While the country eventually registered a gradual economic recovery due to the adoption of market-based reforms in the 1990s, sectors such as infrastructure and social services continued to suffer from low investment and basic public services such as water supply and sanitation suffered particular degradation.

3. The reduction in Government subsidies to the sector resulted in a steep decline in the quality of water supply and sanitation services, contributing to an increase in the non-income dimensions of poverty. Access to adequate service coverage was low, with only about one third of the national population having household water connections, another 40 percent receiving water from stand-posts or water tankers, and the rest having no organized water service. The situation was exacerbated by factors such as: (a) the poor physical state of plant and pipe networks, which were in dire need of rehabilitation and replacement; (b) inefficiencies in operations, which drove up operating costs; (c) weak institutions; (d) limited human resource capacity; (e) critical financial shortfalls which precluded operating enterprises to cover even basic operating and maintenance costs; and (f) and affordability constraints. Declining health indicators were linked to the deteriorating water supply systems, and service reliability and safety had become a critical source of discontent among the population. Problems associated with the sub-optimal water supply and sanitation situation were particularly pronounced in rural areas.

4. According to a Sector Review conducted by the World Bank in 1999, an estimated US$ 180 - 200 million would be needed for the rehabilitation of existing facilities and system expansions for new consumers to provide all of the Kyrgyz people with modest, but safe water supply and sanitation services. Yet the financial situation in the country and affordability limits on tariffs made it impossible to raise the financial resources needed in the near term. As part of efforts to fight poverty and improve the standard of living and the health of its people, the Kyrgyz Government identified improvement in basic infrastructure services, including water supply and sanitation as one of its priorities, and approached the World Bank and other development partners, including

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the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and British Department for International Development (DFID) to support the sector.

5. The First Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project (RWSSP). In 2001 the World Bank approved an IDA Credit in the amount of SDR 12 million (US$15 million equivalent) for a Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project (RWSSP) to support the Government’s efforts to improve access to water supply and sanitation services and reduce poverty. The RWSSP, which became effective in April 2002, was the first Bank operation in the Kyrgyz Republic and in the ECA Region to apply a participatory community managed approach to rural water supply and sanitation. The project’s development objectives were two-fold: (i) to improve access to potable water from water supply systems which the communities own, operate, maintain and manage in a sustainable manner; and (ii) to improve hygiene, sanitation, and water related practices at individual, family and institutional levels in rural areas. DFID provided TA to finance the components on Institutional Strengthening and Project Management in the amount of GB £ 4.5 million. The standalone Sanitation and Hygiene Project was also financed through a grant of GB£ 3.3 million from DFID. The project focused on the three northern Kyrgyz Oblasts of , , and Issyk Kul. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) concurrently extended a Credit to the GoKR for a Community Based Infrastructure Services Sector Project (CBISSP) in the amount of SDR 27.30 million (US$ 36 million equivalent). The latter was implemented in parallel to RWSSP as part of the “Taza Suu” (Clean Water) governmental program, and focused on the southern Kyrgyz Oblasts of Chui, Jalalabad, Osh, and Batken. The ADB project closed in January 2010 and was rated Partly Successful.

6. The RWSSP closed in 2009. According to its Implementation Completion Report (ICR), the project provided improved access to clean drinking water to about 340,500 people in 169 villages in the three northern oblasts. It was also instrumental in improving water quality and hygiene in the beneficiary areas, contributing to a six-fold decrease in the reported incidence of stomach pain and diarrhea in children. It facilitated the creation of a community-based model for water service delivery and improved the effectiveness of institutions in managing rural water supplies. Despite these achievements, the RWSSP experienced some problems. The project ran out of resources before completion of all envisaged activities due to increased unit costs, and construction works in three problem sub-projects4 (Korumdu, Temir, and Chelpek) had to be suspended before completion. The costs of works on the sub-projects increased mainly due to technical factors such as unexpected ground conditions (in Korumdu) and failure of the surface water sources (in Temir and Chelpek). Completion of these outstanding works was included in design of the follow-on project, the Second Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project (RWSSP2). Another problem which emerged towards the end of the project was that, despite their efficiency, the design standards and technical innovations introduced by the PMC (for instance the HDPE pipe relining technology) became the subject of controversy in that they deviated from the State Technical Engineering Standards (SNIPs) inherited from the Former Soviet Union. Although not always technically well-informed, the controversy was amplified among certain stakeholders, fueling criticisms of the quality of RWSSP works as well as opposition to the PMC-led implementation arrangements. Such controversy became a serious legacy issue and reputational

4 Individual sub-projects typically encompassed clusters of several villages. 2

risk to be dealt with under RWSSP-2. A lasting unfavorable impact on the sector was the entrenchment of stakeholder reticence to use international consultant expertise for engineering- design needs, or to engage in a critical review and revision process of unsustainable design standards.

7. Rationale for Bank Assistance for the Second Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project (RWSSP2). The RWSSP2 was identified at the back end of RWSSP implementation. It was designed as a “Repeater Project”5 with similar objectives, to scale up the latter’s development outcomes in rural communities in the Talas, Naryn, and Issyk Kul Oblasts. A repeater project was considered to be the most appropriate approach for two main reasons: (i) to build on the successes of RWSSP while allowing for the introduction of important modifications to improve project design; and (ii) to allow for quick preparation of the follow-on operation using existing resources. The project was also seen as an opportunity to complete construction and/or rectification of outstanding works on the problem sub-projects initiated under RWSSP. It was included in the Bank’s Joint Country Support Strategy (JCSS) Report No. 39719-KG dated May 23, 2007. The total project cost was estimated at US$18.37 million: US$10 million equivalent was to be financed by IDA (as a blend of an IDA Credit in the amount of SDR 3.8 million/US$ 5.5 million equivalent and a US$4.5 million IDA grant); GBP5 million (about US$7.15 million equivalent) co-financing was to be provided by DFID; US$1.55 million equivalent was to be provided by Government of Kyrgyz Republic (GoKR), and US$0.49 million equivalent by participating communities as contribution (5 percent) to civil works. The project was approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors on April 29, 2009, and it became effective on August 19 the same year.

1.2 Original Project Development Objectives (PDO) and Key Indicators

8. The original PDO of RWSSP2 was to assist the Kyrgyz Republic in: (i) improving access to potable water for the participating communities; and (ii) improving hygiene, sanitation and water-related practices at individual, family and institutional levels in the rural areas.

9. Project outcomes were expected to be improved access, quantity, and quality of water supply services available to rural citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic. In particular, project performance was to be assessed against the following indicators6: (a) the increase in number of residents benefiting from regular availability of safe potable water; and (b) a decline in waterborne diseases in project communities.

1.3 Revised PDO (as approved by original approving authority) and Key Indicators, and reasons/justification

10. The development objective of RWSSP2 was revised in November 2012 to add a third objective, (iii) below, focusing on the need for strengthening sector institutions. Accordingly, the

5 According to Bank guidance documents, “Repeater Projects” are defined as projects whose basic design and effectiveness have been proven, and which a Borrower proposes to augment and scale up. 6 While this indicator was identified in the main text of the PAD as a key performance indicator, it was not included in the original Results Framework. For purposes of analysis of the PDO however, it is taken into consideration.

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revised PDO was to assist the Kyrgyz Republic in: (i) improving access to potable water for the participating communities; (ii) improving hygiene, sanitation and water-related practices at individual, family and institutional levels in the rural areas; and (iii) strengthening the institutional framework and capacity for the rural drinking water supply and sanitation sector.

11. The institutional dimension of the PDO was introduced in an effort to address the weakening institutional framework and capacity in the sector. Performance in respect to the third objective was to be measured through two indicators: (i) the level of operation and maintenance (O&M) cost recovery in utilities targeted by the project (%); and (ii) the number of CDWUUs with sufficient revenues (from fees collection and other sources) to cover at least O&M.

1.4 Main Beneficiaries

12. The primary beneficiaries for the water supply component were the population in participating communities in rural villages in the northern Kyrgyz Oblasts of Naryn, Talas, and Issyk Kul, who would directly benefit from improved access to potable water supply through the project. According to the PAD, the project initially targeted about 100,0007 people in the three Oblasts. However, the targeted number of beneficiaries was scaled down substantially to 60,000 when the project was restructured in November 2012, reflecting a significant reduction in DFID co-financing. Likewise, primary beneficiaries for the sanitation and hygiene improvements included the populations at targeted institutions such as schools where new sanitation facilities were to be constructed, medical centers and members of the communities in the three Oblasts who were expected to benefit from hygiene and behavior change interventions. Access to improved water supply, sanitation and hygiene were expected to bestow multiple benefits such as improved health, economic, and environmental outcomes.

13. Primary beneficiaries for the institutional strengthening activities were national, local government, and community level institutions, including: the Department of Rural Water Supply (DRWS) within the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Processing (MAWRPI), and the Sanitary Epidemiological Surveillance (SES) units located within the Ministry of Health8 at the central government level; the local self-government units (Ayil Okmotus) in the participating areas of Naryn, Talas, and Issyk Kul Oblasts; and the Community Drinking Water User Unions (CDWUUs) at the community level, who were to directly benefit from capacity building activities such as training and knowledge sharing, provision of equipment and facilities, introduction of management systems for activities such as monitoring, billing and collection systems for water operations, and other resources financed through the project, resulting in enhanced efficiency and effectiveness in management of rural water and sanitation services.

7 This number was used as the target in the Economic Analysis conducted at appraisal.

8 The DRWS was later renamed the Department for Drinking Water and Sanitation and was located under the State Agency for Architecture, Construction and Communal Services – SAACCS, also known as GOSSTROY.

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1.5 Original Components (as approved)

14. Component A: Water Supply Infrastructure and Equipment (estimated US$ 15.25 million). This component was to provide financing to local communities represented by CDWUUs to rehabilitate or expand existing village water supply systems. As part of the civil works contracts, this component was to also finance the following: refurbishment or construction of demonstration sanitation facilities at schools and medical posts; equipment supplied to selected CDWUUs and/or their associations to maintain the water systems; and consultancy services for technical supervision of construction activities to ensure the quality of infrastructure financed by the project.

15. Component B: Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Program (estimated cost US$0.68 million). This component was to support village-level promotion of healthy hygiene and sanitation practices through technical assistance. Component activities were to be coordinated with the Republican Centre for Health Promotion (RCHP) that is working under the Health and Social Protection Sector-Wide Approach project (SWAP; P084977) to foster health awareness throughout the country. (The refurbishment of demonstration sanitation facilities at schools and medical posts was included in Component A as part of the infrastructure works). Component B was to be implemented through consulting services (to be provided by a national NGO or firm) and in direct coordination with the RCHP.

16. Component C: Institutional Development (estimated cost US$0.49 million). This component was to finance consultancy services to assist Government to ensure sustainability of the rural water supply programs, including support to: (a) endorse and implement the sector strategy prepared under the earlier project; (b) develop or revise legislation to ensure synergies among CDWUUs and local self-governance, including develop and institutionalize new agreements between Ayil Okmotu and CDWUUs; (c) train and assist CDWUUs and DRWS to build on the experience and tools developed by RWSSP, including ensuring that gender, voice, and choice in participatory processes are taken into account; and (d) strengthen the project Management Information System by adding a GIS interface and consolidating a country-wide database on village-level water supply and sanitation. Detailed Terms of Reference for Component C were to be developed during project implementation.

17. Component D: Project Management (estimated cost US$1.95 million). The component was to finance project management costs including: limited equipment and vehicles, operating costs (staff salaries, in-country travel, and mandatory employer contributions to the Social Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic) and training associated with project implementation; as well as monitoring and evaluation activities, including regular impact surveys/assessments and annual audits.

18. Retroactive Financing (US$0.80 million). The Bank agreed to finance under Component A, retroactive costs for the completion of approximately 16 sub-projects financed by Government under the previous project, the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project (RWSSP), subject to submission of supporting documentation acceptable to the Bank.

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19. Project Preparation Advance (PPA), US$0.l5 million. A PPA for Components A and D was provided to carry out preparatory activities including community mobilization campaigns and feasibility studies.

1.6 Revised Components

20. Several changes were made to individual components and activities as part of the Level 1 project restructuring in November 2012. Reasons for the restructuring are discussed in more detail under Section 1.7 below. The following changes were made to individual components as part of the restructuring.

21. Under Component A. Water Supply Infrastructure and Equipment  The estimated number of rural water supply schemes that the project would rehabilitate was reduced from 70 to 35.  Two sub-components were merged: i.e., tasks under the detailed design (A3) and the Technical Supervision (A4) were merged into one sub-component (A3) to streamline budget use by ARIS.  Contractor payment procedures were streamlined to allow payment directly by ARIS, as opposed to by individual CDWUUs; and  The provision to extend sub-loans to CDWUUs was eliminated as it had been made redundant by the above streamlined payment procedures. Therefore the provisions in the Financing and the Project Agreements referring to Sub-Loans and Sub-Grants were dropped.

22. Under Component B. Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Program. (This component was fully financed by DFID and executed by UNICEF, which was contracted by ARIS). Changes involved:  Introduction of communication campaigns and advocacy activities to promote rural sanitation.  Introduction of village level WASH campaigns for hygiene and sanitation awareness.  Building institutional capacity for ARIS in the field of sanitation and hygiene. . 23. Under Component C. Institutional Development. This component was strengthened by allocating an additional US$150,000 to maximize the impact on improving the institutional framework and capacity for the RWSS sector in light of the scaled down infrastructure component.

24. Component D. Project Management. The funding for this component was reduced and reallocation in disbursement categories made accordingly in light of substantial savings in project management due to the entity utilizing already existing resources (staff and equipment).

1.7 Other significant changes

25. Project Restructuring. The project underwent three restructurings over the course of implementation, resulting in several significant changes. These restructurings became necessary to address several challenges the project faced, and were driven mainly by: (i) the need to strengthen project implementation capacity in light of sub-optimal performance with the existing

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arrangements after the project became effective; (ii) a growing need to strengthen the overall institutional framework and capacity in the sector; (iii) an increase in unit costs linked to more robust design standards introduced during implementation; (iv) unexpected additional costs to rectify works in several villages where rehabilitation or upgrading works undertaken under the RWSSP were malfunctioning, these included modest retrofits in 26 additional RWSSP systems; (v) the need for more effective implementation approaches for works contracts and for hygiene and sanitation promotion activities; (vi) the partial withdrawal in January 2012 of DFID co- financing, amounting to GBP 4 million, resulting in an overall reduction in the project funding from US$18.37 million equivalent to US$13.08 million equivalent; (vii) the need to activate the Involuntary Resettlement (OP 4.12) Safeguard Policy; and last but not least (viii) to accommodate a request for extension of the closing date by seventeen months to allow for completion of works. Changes made as part of restructuring in response to the above issues are outlined below. a. Change in Project Executing and Implementing Agencies. As part of the first (Level Two) restructuring approved by Bank Management on July 25, 2011 changes were made to the project’s Executing Agency (EA) and the Implementation Entity (IE) on October 28, 2011. The changes were made in response to a proposal from the Government to strengthen implementation arrangements in light of ongoing performance issues, including chronic implementation delays and disruptions encountered after project effectiveness. Government requested the transfer of responsibilities for both the EA and IE, previously held by the State Committee of Water Resources and Amelioration (SCRWA) and the Joint Project Management Unit (JPMU) respectively, to the Community Development and Investment Agency (ARIS). As a non-governmental organization (NGO), ARIS had a good track record of executing projects funded by the World Bank and other donors, including the Village Investment Project, the Small Towns Infrastructure and Capacity Building Project, and the Bishkek and Osh Urban Infrastructure Project, and improvements in overall implementation were registered soon after the change was effected. Primary beneficiaries for the Institutional Development Component however remained the CDWUUs and the Department for Water Supply and Sanitation (DWSS), which absorbed the former Department for Rural Water Supply (DRWS). The DWSS is under the State Agency for Architecture, Construction and Communal Services (SAACCS). b. As part of the subsequent (Level One) restructuring approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors on November 29, 2012, following decisions taken during the project Mid-Term Review (MTR), the following changes were made:

(i) Project Development Objective. The PDO was revised as described in Section 1.3 above.

(ii) Project Components and Scope. The project components and scope were revised as described in Section 1.6 above. The changes mainly relate to the reduced scope of activities in light of reduced availability of resources and cost increases, and included, inter-alia, a reduction from 70 to 35 in the targeted number of rural water supply systems to be rehabilitated. Investments entailed comprehensive rehabilitations in six new village clusters, as well as in the three villages (Korumdu, Terim-Kashat, and Chelpek) which had suffered from unfinished rehabilitations under RWSSP. They also included

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rectifications on an additional 26 schemes previously rehabilitated under RWSSP that were experiencing no longer functioning optimally. The failures in these 26 villages were mostly associated with poor design of the water sources at the time of RWSSP.

(iii) Results Framework. The project results frameworks was revised to reflect reduced target values in light of the reduced funding and investment scope for water supply and sanitation components, and to introduce indicators to capture the new institutional strengthening objective. Indicators were consolidated.

(iv) Project Financing. Project financing was revised to reflect the reduced budget, following the partial withdrawal of DFID funds, bringing the available budget from US$18.37 million to US$13.08 million equivalent.

(v) Reallocation of Expenditure Categories. Expenditure categories were revised to reflect the reallocation of DFID financing to fully fund Component B and 80 percent of Component C, as well as register a reallocation of funds among components and categories, with a substantial decrease of the infrastructure component and a slight increase in the institutional strengthening component.

(vi) Safeguard Policies. OP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement was triggered on a precautionary basis given the nature of envisaged investments, and the potential for temporary expropriation or permanent acquisition of land.

(vii) Project Closing Date. The project closing date was extended by a total of seventeen months, from May 31, 2013 to October 31, 2014, to allow for completion of all the works required to achieve the project objectives after initial implementation delays.

(viii) Other Changes to Implementation Arrangements. Other changes to implementation arrangements involved a simplification in the implementation approach, with elimination of sub-loans to communities for contracting of sub-project works; and the inclusion of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as service provider for implementation of some tasks under the Hygiene and Sanitation Promotion Component.

2. Key Factors Affecting Implementation and Outcomes

2.1 Project Preparation, Design and Quality at Entry

26. The project’s quality at entry is assessed as having been moderately satisfactory on balance on the basis of project preparation and design aspects that contributed to the overall implementation experience and outcome. Key aspects as discussed below.

27. Soundness of Background Analysis. The PAD presented a generally sound understanding of the challenges that the Kyrgyz Republic continued to face in providing and managing rural water supply and sanitation services, in spite of ongoing interventions. The Bank assessed a repeater operation as the most desirable option to maximize development outcomes based on a

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satisfactory assessment of RWSSP’s performance. Background analysis undertaken as part of project preparation was informed by identified lessons learned from detailed reviews of completed and then ongoing sub-projects under the RWSSP, consultations with beneficiaries, Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Government agencies and the PMU, interventions in the sector financed by other donors, including the ADB and DFID, and global good practice in the sector. The project accordingly incorporated key lessons to improve important elements of design such as sub-project selection and engineering design criteria, to ensure that sub-projects are simple, technically sound, cost effective, demand driven, and ultimately more sustainable. For instance, unlike the previous project which mainly offered basic service levels through mainly stand-posts, all sub-projects under RWSSP2 were designed to accommodate demands for providing household water connections in order to respond to future likely beneficiary needs and priorities. It is worth noting that design of the repeater project prior to full completion of the RWSSP meant that perhaps not all lessons that could be learned from the latter were captured at the time.

28. Assessment of the Operation’s Design. Given the prevailing challenges in the sector, including the need to not only scale up outcomes but also complete outstanding works from RWSSP, the project design as a “repeater” with improved design elements was sound. The sector was still learning and adjusting to the new approach to managing rural water supply introduced under RWSSP, combining elements of Community Driven Development (CDD) and centralized provision of services. A full CDD approach would have precluded construction of larger or complex schemes, although community involvement in project implementation is considered more suitable for enhancing sustainability of services because it better addresses local demands and facilitates decentralized operations and maintenance. The selected delivery strategy allowed for the implementation of larger and more complex schemes which can supply sufficient water to large villages as well as small ones, and for community engagement in the process, increasing the likelihood of sustainability. As noted above however, timing of the design and failure to fully capture some critical lessons, evidence, and/or results, for instance in terms of mal-functional systems, were factors that contributed to some design shortcomings.

29. The ICR therefore notes some significant shortcomings in the design of (a) initial project implementation arrangements, (ii) identification of the scope of work and subsequent assessment of cost estimates; and (iii) the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) arrangements. M&E arrangements are discussed in Section 2.3 below. Implementation arrangements were based on a Joint Project Management Unit (PMU) responsible for implementation and coordination of the current project, as well as a then recently approved Asian Development Bank (ADB) financed Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The JPMU was established in 2008 at the national level to manage implementation of rural water supply projects. The Bank initially proposed implementation arrangements based on a qualified Project Management Consulting (PMC) firm similar to the model that had been used for the RWSSP. The Government however requested the use of the JPMU during negotiations. While the approach appeared sound in principle for aligning donor efforts, promoting consistency in approaches, and ensuring shared lesson learning across projects, it required sound capacity within the Unit in order to be effective. Although the PAD noted weaknesses in existing capacity as a key risk, the model was maintained, and fundamental changes needed to be made to strengthen implementation arrangements through restructuring during implementation. Carrying out a comprehensive feasibility study in planning the water supply systems would also have benefitted the project. Shortcomings regarding the failure to

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properly define the scope of sub-projects to be included was linked to the legacy issues from the RWSSP, evidence of which was perhaps not fully available at the time of design. Addressing these issues called for restructuring of the project during implementation as discussed below.

30. Adequacy of Government Commitment. Government commitment to the project during preparation was generally adequate. Overall support for the project was strong given Government’s prioritization of provision of a reliable and well-functioning system of basic infrastructure services. Dialogue between the Bank and Government counterparts was maintained even where there were differences in opinion such as was the case during negotiations, in selecting implementation arrangements.

31. Risk Assessment and Mitigation. The risk assessment undertaken as part of project preparation and summarized in the PAD was candid and it covered key issues that could potentially affect implementation. Most of the risk ratings were ‘moderate’ or ‘substantial’, with an overall project risk rating of ‘moderate’. Identified risks mainly centered around three general themes: (a) institutional capacity constraints at central government, local government, and community levels and their implications for project implementation and operation; (b) appropriateness of sub-project designs and their implications on project costs and financing; and (c) ineffective management arrangements at local government and community level, including inadequate community cash contributions and collections, and inadequate construction, operation and maintenance of systems. Appropriate mitigation measures were identified, with mitigation measures to address them intertwined with design of the technical assistance and capacity building elements and implementation support. The following section, which presents factors that affected implementation, highlights the fact that these critical risks did in fact materialize during implementation. While the pre-identified risk mitigation measures contributed to some extent to addressing some of the challenges, resolution of some called for additional measures, in some cases requiring fundamental structural changes as discussed below.

2.2 Implementation

32. The project encountered a series of challenges that affected progress through much of its implementation. Resolution of many of these issues called for proactive intervention by the Bank team and financing and implementing partners. The following paragraphs summarize the main issues it faced and describes how they were addressed.

33. Weaknesses in implementation structures and capacity affected project performance. Soon after it became effective in August 2009, the project begun to encounter major performance challenges, resulting in chronic implementation delays and disruptions. These circumstances were linked to a combination of factors, including, inter-alia, weak implementation capacity, repeated changes within the original Ministry-level project Executing Agency, the prevailing political instability in the country, and liabilities inherited from the previous project. The Ministerial home of the Project Executing Agency was changed four times in the space of 18 months, and Project Directors changed three times between 2008 and 2011. These changes affected the institutional memory, capacity, and commitment to the project overall.

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34. The need to address previously unidentified liabilities inherited from RWSSP in form of incomplete or malfunctioning systems further slowed progress and took up significant resources. By the end of 2009 and just a few months into implementation, it emerged that in addition to the three problem sub-projects, Koromdu, Tamir-Kashat, Chelpek pre-identified at appraisal, water supply schemes in another 26 villages across the three participating Oblasts required rectification, redesign and/or overhauling. The failures in the 26 villages were mostly associated with poor design of the water sources under the RWSSP, influenced by the DRWS’ preference for gravity sources such as springs or river drainage over wells. While the latter involve higher energy costs, the preferred gravity systems in several cases proved unsustainable due mainly to inadequate CDWUU capacity and source yields, and led to the failure of entire schemes.

35. Progress was further hampered by the fact that the recommendation by the Bank team to optimize technical designs through the introduction of more efficient design standards and materials encountered strong institutional resistance. Local engineers accustomed to the use of technical engineering standards (SNIPs) inherited from the FSU initially expressed very strong opposition to the adoption of alternative standards proposed as part of efforts to address some of the identified problems. Agreement was eventually reached in 2010 after drawn out discussions involving the Bank and a local team of technical experts on the need to adopt the revised technical and service standards to assure the quality of rehabilitation works and enhance the efficiency of resource use. While these measures in principle improved the technical soundness of systems, implementation performance continued to be plagued by capacity weaknesses within the JPMU, and finalization of scheme designs and procurement progressed very slowly. By the MTR in early 2011, the World Bank, DFID and ADB had serious concerns on the overall viability of the JPMU as an implementing agency.

36. The recommendation by the Bank team during the MTR, and subsequent decision by Government to transfer project Executing Agency and Implementing Entity responsibilities to ARIS were instrumental in getting the project back on track, and in supporting the turnaround from the unsatisfactory performance at its lowest point in 2011. Following the MTR, the project was restructured, in two steps, between June 2011 and November 2012. The first restructuring, a Level 2 restructuring, was approved by Bank Management in June 2011, and it transferred implementation responsibilities to ARIS. The transfer became effective in October 2011 after a delay in obtaining government countersignature for the ensuing amendment. This transfer once effective, became one of the single most important factors the contributed to the project turnaround.

37. Implementation of the second restructuring (Level 1), originally scheduled to be processed in the fall of 2011 was impeded by several factors occurring around the same time. The first related to the delay in obtaining government countersignature for the first restructuring. Second, there was uncertainty at the time regarding DFID’s decision to continue co-financing the project in light of changing internal priorities within the British Government. Following a review of its worldwide portfolio in November 2012, DFID communicated a decision in January 2012 to partially withdrawal its co-financing, reducing it from GBP 5.0 million to GBP 1 million. Finally, there was a delay in completion of the project audit for the period August 2009-June 2011 corresponding to JPMU operations before the transition to ARIS. A situation of non-compliance subsequently emerged with the delayed publication of the project audit report for the period. Following the

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issuance by IDA of a suspension threat on May 30, 2012, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic submitted and acknowledged the audit report with a "disclaimer opinion" on June 20, 2012 and committed to a repayment schedule for ineligible expenditures (due to weak supporting documentation) identified in the report. In a letter dated August 9, 2012 the Bank accepted the audit report and the proposed repayment schedule. With compliance restored and the suspension threat lifted, the second restructuring could move forward and it was approved in November 2012.

38. As a result of the reduced funding, revised construction standards and unit costs, and subsequent reduction in scope of works, targeted results were almost halved vis-à-vis what had been envisaged at appraisal. Although implementation improved considerably after ARIS took over the project, envisaged results were substantially reduced by the mentioned factors. Following the inclusion of the 26 additional villages from RWSSP; it was determined that instead of the 70 new schemes planned at appraisal, the project could only cover 35 schemes, serving clusters of villages (in total 55 villages are served by the 35 schemes). Moreover, unit costs had also increased significantly due to increases in the cost of construction material and civil works in view of market factors such as inflation and real appreciation of the Kyrgyz Som, and the changes in technical standards. Availability of resources for the water supply and sanitation components was also affected by the withdrawal from these activities and subsequent refocus of DFID support on promotion of improved health and hygiene practices (Component B) and capacity building and institutional development at community and national levels (Component C). Responsibility for implementation of the Hygiene Component (Component B) was contracted to UNICEF given its comparative advantage and prior involvement in the sector in the Kyrgyz Republic. The contracting process was however delayed by administrative complexities, as UN agencies require particular procurement procedures and contractual arrangements to work on a borrower executed project financed by the World Bank. Eventually all hurdles were overcome and the contract with UNICEF was signed in June 2013. Once all three project components were up and running, the team was able to upgrade the ISR implementation rating to Moderately Satisfactory.

39. The project was faced with a financing gap in late 2013, requiring a further optimization of technical designs and reduction in investment scope. In June 2013 it became apparent based on expenditures already committed on the first 13 rectifications and detailed design costs estimates for the remaining 13, that the funding available for the 26 rectifications (amounting to about US$1.6 million) would not be sufficient. It was estimated at the time that up to US$2.5 million in additional funds would be needed to meet the PDO and honor the commitments made to the villages. Government requested the Bank to consider providing additional financing to cover the financing gap. Given the project’s performance history and status however, Bank Management rejected the request. In efforts to address the financing gap, the task team initiated a comprehensive technical design and cost review process with ARIS engineers. This resulted in optimized investment scope and designs and reduced cost estimates. The process involved, inter alia, a substantial investment scope reduction in the village of Chelpek, where it was decided that a US$1.5 million complement of service rehabilitations and expansions be deferred. Opportunities were also identified to reallocate proceeds from "consulting services" to "works", and to mobilize an additional US$500,000 in GOKR co-financing. These measures were agreed with GOKR and ARIS during a Bank implementation support mission in November 2013 and approved through a third restructuring (level 2). In April 2014, with the financing problems resolved and the

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perspective that the project would have achieved its objective by October 2014, the ISR PDO rating was also upgraded to Moderately Satisfactory.

40. Civil Society opposition initially detracted progress, but effective partnerships were eventually formed to mutually benefit the project. The highlighted technical concerns stemming from the RWSSP translated into a number of social concerns the resolution of which constituted a major problem, especially earlier during implementation. Along with the ADB- funded CBISSP, the RWSSP2 became the focus of civil society criticism and polemic as a result of the liabilities inherited from RWSSP and subsequent complaints from some beneficiary communities. Key issues mainly concerned the failed rehabilitation works in the three problem sub-projects, with accusations including, inter alia, the alleged use of contaminated pipes – which was later proved to be unfounded. Concerned communities approached civil society after apparently failing to receive satisfactory responses to complaints filed with the JPMU. It is worth noting that similar complaints were concurrently being raised with the ADB financed project in the Southern Oblasts. Local civil society formed coalitions with international counterparts such as the so called World Bank Watch and ADB Watch groups and brought these issues to the attention of Bank Management in Washington during the Spring meetings of 2009, as well as to ADB management in Manila. Following these actions, affected project sites were visited by the Bank’s Executive Director and a platform for heightened dialogue between key stakeholders including the GoKR, the Bank and beneficiaries represented by civil society established to ensure that issues raised were resolved in a satisfactory manner. Civil society representatives were incorporated as important partners in project implementation and an open communication channel opened with them, enhancing transparency and allowing for knowledge exchange and greater citizen input in critical decisions affecting them. Civil society representatives were also included in project activities such as study tours organized for stakeholders, and as observers in contract evaluation committees.

2.3 Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Design, Implementation and Utilization

41. M&E Design. While project M&E design at approval had sound elements in several respects, there were shortcomings. Project M&E arrangements built on practices developed under the previous RWSSP. In addition to the regular M&E to be conducted as part of regular monitoring of progress during implementation, M&E design envisaged the application of tools such as Baseline Surveys and Impact Evaluations using a combination of interviews and participatory techniques. Primary responsibility for M&E lay with the JPMU, which was also supposed to work on the ADB financed project. Arrangements also included a role for involvement of CDWUUs at the Oblast level. The capacity of the JPMU for M&E was assessed on the RWSSP experience, where the team had included support from the experienced Project Management Consultant (PMC) team. In fact, although the JPMU had inherited some local M&E staff from the PMC, its capacity was in general far short of the PMC’s.

42. Shortcomings with regard to M&E were mainly linked to design of the Results Framework presented in the PAD at approval, and design of the Impact Evaluation. In regard to the Results Framework, issues included: (i) the absence of baseline data for several indicators, including PDO indicators; and (ii) the appropriateness of some indicators, for instance in terms of ease of data collection. Major changes to the Results Framework, including to PDO and intermediate outcome

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indicators and targets, were made as part of restructuring in order to better capture project results and achievements. A shortcoming in regard to design of the Impact Evaluation study was the failure to establish a control group from the start. Control groups were in fact introduced at the end, which precluded establishment of reliable baseline data.

43. M&E Implementation and Utilization. Although M&E like other aspects of implementation was initially affected by the overall performance issues faced during the earlier part of the project, the function benefitted from the overall capacity strengthening with the transfer of implementation responsibility to ARIS. Streamlining of key elements of M&E design such as the Results Framework, through restructuring, were also instrumental in improving M&E during implementation, and arrangements were later implemented as designed. The Bank team, working closely with government counterparts, actively monitored overall implementation progress based on achieved results or the lack thereof, identifying issues affecting the project and providing recommendations to address issues and to steer the project towards its intended objectives. Implementation Status and Results (ISR) reports tracked the indicators in the project’s Results Framework and project supervision documents, including mission aide memoires reported candidly on results. Data collected through the baseline study carried out during project preparation informed the refinement of the project’s M&E framework in line with realistic targets, allowing for better monitoring of project results and achievements. The Impact Evaluation Study conducted between August and September 2014 also provided a detailed review of project results and achievements, and highlighted important findings on management of water supply, sanitation, and hygiene at the community and household levels in participating areas. While the Impact Evaluation study was originally envisaged to be carried out around mid-term to be able to influence implementation, information will still be useful for design of future interventions in the sector.

44. The project supported the development of two MIS databases: (i) for water supply and sanitation sector performance data collection and management within DRWS; and (ii) for collection and management of data on parasitic diseases and water quality by the Department for Disease Prevention and Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision. Development and utilization of both systems represented important capacity building and institutional strengthening efforts for the respective departments.

2.4 Safeguard and Fiduciary Compliance

45. The project triggered two Safeguard policies at appraisal; Environmental Assessment (OP 4.10) and International Waters (OP 7.50). It was classified as Category B for Environmental Assessment given the nature of envisaged works which were not expected to have any significant or irreversible environmental impacts. Environmental Assessment was implemented in accordance with required procedures and was rated Satisfactory throughout implementation. Some sub-project activities were expected to take place on trans-boundary waterways as defined in OP 7.50, however an exception to the policy to notify riparians of the project was granted by Bank management since activities were not expected to modify the course of waterways, nor significantly increase the volume of water abstraction.

46. It was assessed at appraisal that the project would not trigger the Involuntary Resettlement Policy (OP/BP4.12) as it was expected to deal exclusively with rehabilitation or upgrading of

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existing infrastructure and installations on existing premises or public rights of way. The task team later determined that the policy should be triggered and introduced it as part of the restructuring given envisaged potential for land acquisition, temporary encroachment, damage of assets or restrictions on access during implementation. A Resettlement Policy Framework was prepared and disclosed together with an updated ISDS on July 16, 2012, to address any issues relating to permanent or temporary involuntary resettlement associated with project activities. 118 Project Affected Persons (PAPs) in ten villages were identified in accordance with the policy and compensation, mainly affected by temporary restrictions to access or loss of trees and crops. All PAPs were fully paid by the project closing date. It is worth noting that compensation costs were financed by IDA on an exceptional basis. The amount of compensation payments to PAPs amounted to KGS 1 979 254 (or about US$ 50 000).

Fiduciary Compliance

47. Financial Management Compliance. The ICR rates Financial Management compliance under the project Moderately Satisfactory overall, considering both project preparation and implementation aspects throughout the project’s life. During preparation the Bank conducted an assessment of the JPMU FM capacity and reviewed accounting, financial reporting, auditing, internal controls, budgeting, and staff capacity. Then the JPMU was already implementing the ADB’s CBSSIP-S and was to become responsible for implementation of the RWSSP2. The FM system was found to be unsatisfactory because the JPMU utilized an obsolete version of 1-C accounting software with insufficient capacity to generate Interim Financial Reports (IFRs) in a format satisfactory to the Bank. Internal control policies and procedures were also found to be weak, and a time bound action plan was included to strengthen FM by negotiations through, inter- alia, update of the accounting software, addressing internal control weaknesses, and refund of ineligible expenses incurred during the course of the first project. The overall FM risk for the project before mitigation measures was assessed as Substantial and Moderate after mitigation.

48. After project effectiveness, the fiduciary capacity of the JPMU remained low and concerns were raised by the Bank in regard to its overall performance. ADB had similar concerns. Problems were specifically flagged in respect to aspects such as record-keeping and accounting, including occurrence of missing primary documents, un-reconciled balances, deleted records from the accounting software, and mix-up of payments between different sources of funds. A situation of non-compliance emerged with the delayed publication of the project audit report for the period August 2009 to June 2011 corresponding to project operations before the transfer of implementation responsibility from the JPMU to ARIS. After issuance by IDA of a suspension threat in May 2012, the Audit report was issued in June 2012. Prior to approval of the Level One restructuring in 2012, Government acknowledged the audit report and committed to a repayment schedule for ineligible expenditures due to weak supporting documentation identified in the report. Financial Management under ARIS was generally satisfactory through the remainder of the project implementation period, with minor shortcomings. The final ISR rated the project’s FM performance Satisfactory; however the ICR takes into consideration the experience throughout the project’s life.

49. Procurement Compliance: The ICR rates implementation of the Procurement function under the project Moderately Satisfactory, based on its overall compliance with Bank and country

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procedures during project preparation and implementation, with moderate shortcomings. A Procurement Capacity Assessment for the JPMU was conducted as part of preparation, and the overall procurement risk in regard to the project was rated Moderate after mitigation. After transfer of implementation responsibility to ARIS, procurement was generally conducted in accordance with the Bank’s Guidelines for Procurement under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits dated May 2004, and revised October 2006, and specific provisions stipulated in the DCA, Grant Agreements, and the Procurement Act. In order to facilitate the contracting of UNICEF by ARIS for implementation of the Hygiene and Sanitation Promotion activities, World Bank Guidelines for Selection and Employment of Consultants dated January 2011 were applied after signing the Level-1 restructuring Amendment to Financing Agreement. This change had no implications on other procurements, and was cleared by the Bank’s Regional Procurement Manager (RPM).

2.5 Post-completion Operation/Next Phase

50. Sustainable post-completion operation of water supply and sanitation facilities financed through the project will be driven by community level (CDWUU) capacity to manage service delivery, an outcome linked to the availability of adequate human and financial capacity and resources for effective operations and maintenance of facilities. While there are improvements in overall sector capacity at all levels as a result of institutional strengthening and capacity building activities under the project and its predecessor, there is need for further institutional strengthening and capacity building to improve or maintain capacity of the CDWUUs to deliver water supply services in an efficient and sustainable manner. This will require sustained effective support to the service providers, requiring commitment and engagement at multiple sector levels.

51. It is recommended that post completion action plans to maintain progress beyond the project be developed by Government and supported through adequate budget and other resources if outcomes are to be sustained. In addition, the local governments or Ayl Okmotus will need to be able to continue to plan, budget, and monitor system operation at the local level. As the adequacy of budget provision to the sector in the Kyrgyz Republic remains in question, the risk to development outcomes remains substantial.

52. Results on the ground in terms of the effectiveness of different CDWUUs in managing the delivery of rural water supply services vary. There have been some notable successes and advances towards cost recovery in some cases. A few CDWUUs, such as Korumdu, Jele-Dobo and Baltabay have fully installed meters and are collecting tariffs based on volumetric consumption. An average cost recovery level of 70 percent has been achieved from participating CDWUUs. However, less than half (only 15 out of the 37) are collecting sufficient revenues to cover their O&M costs. Fee collection is mainly seasonal, largely based on income streams such as tourist and harvest seasons in the rural areas. The financial sustainability of many of the systems is therefore at risk. To enhance sustainability at the local level, the government, with the support of local parliament representatives, should continue to advocate for payments of services with the beneficiaries.

53. Institutional structures also need to be further supported to provide the enabling environment for effective service delivery for the beneficiary areas and the rest of the sector. The assets of water supply systems have been handed over to the municipal ownership of Ayl Okmotus,

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who have signed Service Agreements with their respective CDWUUs. Performance monitoring in respect to these Agreements should be conducted with the support of DDWS.

54. Opportunity for a Follow-On RWSS Project: The GoKR has expressed interest in a follow on operation to scale up the outcomes of the RWSSP2. The Government sent a formal request to the Bank on July 25, 2014 to this end. The Bank has advised that consideration of Government’s request would require clarification of the rationale for the intervention and agreement with GOKR on a comprehensive re-prioritization, scope, and time-frame for IDA support to the sector under the Country Partnership Strategy. A follow-up project would build on the lessons and successes of RWSSP2 to achieve a sustainable transformational impact on the sector while supporting GOKR’s strategy and reform objectives.

55. With a US$ 1 million grant received from the Russian Federation, UNICEF will scale up its WASH in Schools program using the methodology applied under the RWSSP2. To implement this project, UNICEF will work in partnership with ARIS. The project will have a strengthened focus on focus on hand-washing among children and improving civic engagement in the WASH sector. UNICEF will use its core funds and a US$1 million grant received from the Russian Federation.

3. Assessment of Outcomes

3.1 Relevance of Objectives, Design and Implementation

Objectives

56. Rating. High. The PDO adequately responded to diagnosed sector challenges and priorities for rural water supply and sanitation and remains highly relevant to the Kyrgyz Republic’s development priorities and the Bank’s Strategy for the country. The GoKR articulated its development priorities of ensuring the delivery of high quality water supply services through inter-alia, an Order of the President, No. 194, dated 27 September 2013, as well as in the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Kyrgyz Republic 2013-2017, dated January 21, 2013, approved by the Decree of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic No.11. It is also aligned with the new Strategy for the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector – the State Program for Development of Water Supply and Wastewater Disposal in Settlements of the Kyrgyz Republic for the 2014-2024 period (hereinafter referred to as the State Program), which was developed with RWSSP2 support. The State Program aims at improving the quality of water supply and wastewater disposal services, addressing the main challenges to service delivery, and identifying directions for further strengthening the sector’s institutional framework.

57. The PDO is also highly relevant to the Bank’s priorities and development objectives. It remains aligned with the Bank’s Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for FY14-17 with Kyrgyz Republic, approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors on June 24, 2013, which focus on three broad areas of engagement: (a) more efficient public administration and public services-especially those relating to lowering poverty, improving accountability, enhancing human capital, and reducing ethnic, gender, and social disparities; (b) an improved business environment and investment

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climate; and (c) better management of scarce natural resources and physical infrastructure, while at the same time taking into account climate change, environmental sustainability, and regional considerations, which are deemed crucial for improved poverty outcomes, in particular for the almost two-thirds of the population that live in isolated rural and mountainous areas. It is also aligned with achieving the Bank’s twin goals of reducing extreme poverty and increasing shared prosperity.

Design and Implementation

58. Rating. Substantial. The relevance of the project design and implementation are assessed as Substantial from a number of perspectives. The PDO and other elements of design reflected proper diagnosis of critical development priorities for Kyrgyz Republic, which remain high on the development agenda. Revision of the PDO to add the institutional strengthening objective is further evidence of the project’s efforts to maintain relevance in light of prevailing circumstances. The project design was generally technically sound, and the components well-structured for a WSS operation of its nature. It duly considered key lessons from the RWSSP and other rural water supply and sanitation projects. While there were a few design shortcomings, highlighted earlier in the ICR, they were recognized during implementation and the project design’s relevance to the context sustained through the adjustments made as part of restructuring, which aligned the PDO and targets with changes in priorities and availability of resources.

3.2 Achievement of Project Development Objectives

59. Rating: Moderately Satisfactory. The ICR assesses efficacy with respect to project outcomes as Substantial, based on the aggregated achievement of the development objectives and outcomes. This section assesses the extent to which the project achieved each objective as well as its key outcomes, highlighting key outputs that contributed to the outcomes. Details on the outputs under each project component are presented in Annex 2. In accordance with the Bank’s ICR guidelines for projects whose objectives have been formally revised, the analysis of efficacy with respect to achievement of project objectives involved an assessment of performance against original and revised targets where applicable, weighted by the amount disbursed at the time the targets were revised. At the time of PDO restructuring in November 2012, grant disbursements were at 53.1 percent. Assessment of efficacy by individual objective is presented below and summarized in Table 3.1.

Outcome 1 - Improved access to potable water supply for participating communities, measured by the increase in the number of residents benefitting from regular availability of safe potable water.

60. The project achieved its objective of increasing access to potable water supply to participating rural communities in Talas, Naryn, and Issyk Kul Oblasts in a moderately satisfactory9 manner on balance. It was able to provide improved access to water supply of good quality to about 83,000 people in 55 villages in participating communities, substantially exceeding

9 Table 3.1 presents the analysis for efficacy taking into consideration the original and revised targets. 18

the revised target of covering 60,00010 people established when the project was restructured in 2012 and substantially achieving the original target of 100,000 (83 percent). About 86 percent of households in the participating areas now have access to potable water, and the project provided more than 3900 households with water supply connections on their premises. Facilities financed through the project were also able to substantially improve the quality of water supplied to people with 90 percent of tests in the service area of rehabilitated schemes meeting national standards for drinking water, representing an improvement of at least 10 percent. Improved access to potable water supply services is expected to bestow benefits on many levels including environmental, social, and economic benefits. The Impact Evaluation study carried out at the end of the project confirmed greater convenience in accessing water overall. As a result of the project over 70 percent of households in the service areas reported distances to improved water sources at 500/1000 meters or less. The study also revealed significant improvements in overall satisfaction among project beneficiaries on key aspects of service delivery such as the quantity, quality, and pressure of water supplied.

61. Key Outputs contributing to improvements in access to potable water supply and associated outcomes. The project, through the Water Supply Infrastructure and Equipment Component (Component 1) financed the repair, rehabilitation, and replacement or upgrading of 37 rural water supply systems covering a total of 55 villages. A total of 226 water points were constructed or rehabilitated and 3902 new household connections were installed through the project. Outputs directly contributing to the improvements in access, quality and reliability of water supply specifically involved the reconstruction or rehabilitation of production facilities and distribution networks, as well as improvement of management efficiency and likelihood of sustainable operation and maintenance through technical assistance and training to improve CDWUU technical capacity. Sixty maintenance equipment units were provided to CDWUUs and/or their associations to maintain the water supply systems in their jurisdictions. (Further details are provided in Annex 2).

Outcome 2. Improved hygiene and sanitation and water related practices at individual, family and institutional levels

62. The project fully achieved its objective of improving hygiene and sanitation and water related practices at individual, family, and individual levels. A total of over 9000 people, including school children, were provided with access to improved sanitation facilities, almost doubling the 5000 people originally targeted. There is also evidence that the project contributed to positive health outcomes in the participating communities. While a range of factors, such as access to healthcare and other services, can affect health outcomes, it may be reasonably concluded that the improvements in hygiene and sanitation and water related practices facilitated through the project contributed to the decreased incidence of waterborne diseases such as acute intestinal infections, viral hepatitis, and helminthic (worm) invasion in participating communities by an average of 62.5 percent, exceeding the targeted 60 percent reduction. According to a comprehensive assessment carried out by the Sanitary Epidemiology Surveillance (SES) Unit in

10 The original number of beneficiaries expected for the project was 100,000 people. While included as an indicator in the PAD text and presented in the economic analysis, it was not included in the Results Framework.

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the Ministry of Health, acute intestinal infections and viral hepatitis fell by 55 and 54 percent, respectively, while helminthic infections fell by 75 percent in the project areas. This assessment was conducted through pre- and post-intervention tests of fecal and blood samples from school children by SES laboratory staff working with village health centers. Where infection was found, children and their families were treated, enhancing the health outcomes of the project.

63. There were also significant improvements in hygiene related practices such as hand- washing with soap and management of school toilet facilities. At the end of the project an average of almost 73 percent of people in the project areas reported using soap for hand-washing at critical times such as after using the toilet compared to only 60 percent before the intervention. There were variations in individual outcomes among villages and Oblasts, with Issyk-Kul Oblast registering the highest levels (up to 91 percent) hand-washing post-project compared with the lowest, Talas (49 percent). A UNICEF study also indicated that school expenditure on water supply, sanitation, and hygiene was only a fraction of what was required to fulfill national standards. These findings, as well as the variation in results among Oblasts indicate that although achievements are commendable, there is a need for sustained promotion of hygiene and sanitation related behavior change and for actual uptake and usage of facilities.

64. Key Outputs contributing to improvements in hygiene, sanitation, and water related practices and related outcomes. The project, mainly through the Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Program (Component B) financed by DFID and implemented by UNICEF, supported village level promotion of healthy hygiene and sanitation practices. Similar promotions were conducted at schools in the three Oblasts, where the project, through Component A financed the refurbishment or construction of demonstration facilities at a total of 18 schools in 18 villages (details are provided in Annex 2). Representatives of schools, healthcare centers, and communities in all the 55 villages were engaged in sanitation and hygiene promotion campaigns. Two school teachers from each village participated in an Oblast level training session based on the Water Hygiene and Sanitation Guidelines for Teachers conducted by UNICEF, and used the Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST)-based materials developed to work with schools and communities in their respective oblasts.

Outcome 3. Strengthened Institutional Framework and Capacity of Rural Drinking Water Supply Sector

65. The project partially achieved its objective of strengthening the institutional framework and capacity of the drinking water supply sector in Kyrgyz Republic at the national, local government, and community levels. Achievement of this objective is assessed as moderately satisfactory on balance. Outcomes at the national level were linked to strengthened sector policy and planning capacity for sustainable development of water supply and sanitation sector, while community level interventions sought to strengthen operational capacity to ensure sustainability. Achievement of this objective is however deemed partial given the large variation in outcomes at different levels and among communities. Measurement of performance in respect to this outcome at the community level was mainly linked to financial sustainability indicators at the operational level, specifically: (i) the level of operation and maintenance (O&M) cost recovery in utilities targeted by the project; and (ii) the number of CDWUUs with sufficient revenues (from collection of fees and other sources) to cover O&M. All thirty eight participating CDWUUs

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demonstrated their commitment to operation and maintenance of their water supply systems by signing Service Agreements with their respective local governments. There are large variations in performance at individual CDWUU levels. In some CDWUUs, such as Korumdu, Jele-Dobo and Baltabay, 100% of individual water connections had installed meters by the end of the project. All CDWUUs, with the exception of two, Chelpek and Tort Kul in Issyk Kul Oblast, and Ak Kuduk in Naryn Oblast, had set tariffs and started collecting fees. Although an average level of cost recovery of 70 percent was achieved, less than half (15) CDWUUs were collecting sufficient revenues to cover O&M costs. Although there have been some successes and improvements in cost recovery in some cases, there is still need for sustained support to the CDWUUs.

66. The project was able to support several other activities that are expected to contribute to improved planning and management capacity of the water supply and wastewater sector. In addition to training for different staff for instance, the development of the new Strategy for the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector – the State Program for Development of Water Supply and Wastewater Disposal in Settlements of the Kyrgyz Republic for the 2014-2024 period is expected to provide strategic direction to the sector that will enhance sector planning capacity. Similarly, the development of Management Information System Databases for both water supply performance and on water quality and the occurrence of parasitic diseases are expected to contribute to improved management, including monitoring and evaluation of these sectors. While the transfer of implementation responsibility to ARIS, a non-governmental organization, was a pragmatic solution to the chronic challenges the project faced and played an important role in improving overall implementation as earlier discussed, it somewhat denied Government institutions responsible for rural water supply the full benefit of sustainable institutional capacity building for design and implementation of investment projects/sub-projects.

67. Key Outputs contributing to Institutional Strengthening Outcomes. Project outputs included a series of activities focused on strengthening sector institutions at all levels to improve rural water supply and sanitation management systems and service delivery. Activities specifically targeted staff of CDWUUs, Local Self-Governments, and DRWS to strengthen capacity in various areas, such as technical aspects for improved operations and maintenance, and financial management, particularly in operation of a billing system. A total of 40 DRWS personnel were trained in management and planning for rural water supply and sanitation, and 196 CDWUUs trained in fee collection and management of schemes. Other notable outputs at the national level included:

a. Development of a Sector Strategy for Water Supply and Sanitation. The Strategy was before the country’s Parliament’s for consideration at the time of the ICR review. b. Review of legislation in the field of water supply and water disposal. Review and update of the existing legislation regulating the sector in order to support implementation of the above State Sector Development Program was conducted with engagement of key stakeholders at national, local government, and community levels. c. Creation of Management Information System (MIS) database with GIS interface. Two MIS databases were developed for (i) water supply and sanitation sector performance data collection and management within DRWS; and (ii) for collection and management of data on parasitic diseases and water quality by the Department for Disease Prevention and Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision.

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d. Development of a financial model for water supply and water disposal development. The project hired an international consultant to design the financial model for the water supply and sanitation sector and delivered training for DWSS staff on how to use the model. e. Review technical norms and standards. The project financed the review and recommendations on optimization of technical standards for water supply and sanitation, and technical advisory support of chlorination in disinfection of potable water f. Capacity building for LSG bodies and CDWUUs in managing and maintaining water supply systems to provide population with high quality potable water supply to population; g. Introduction and adoption of an effective billing system at the CDWUU level. To improve CDWUU operations, including tariff collection, 80 sets of office equipment (computer, printer, stabilizer) were provided through the project, and staff trained in operating the billing program.

Table 3.1 Summary of Analysis of PDO11 Objective Performance Performance Overall performance against original against revised weighted by PDO/Targets PDO/Targets (47% disbursement (53% of of disbursements) disbursements) Outcome 1. People with improved Moderately Satisfactory access to potable Satisfactory (5) water supply for (4) participating communities Outcome 2. Satisfactory Satisfactory Improved hygiene, (5) (5) sanitation and water related practices at individual, family and institutional levels Outcome 3. Not applicable Moderately Strengthened Satisfactory institutional (4) framework and capacity of rural drinking water supply sector

11 In accordance with IEG guidelines, the project is rated against both sets of objectives separately, for the entire duration of the project – not just the period for which each of the objectives was in effect.

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Overall rating Moderately Moderately Moderately Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory (0.53*4.5)+(0.47*4.6)=4.6 (4.5) 1/3(5+5+4)=4.6

Weighted ratings: Highly Satisfactory - 6; Satisfactory – 5; Moderately Satisfactory – 4; Moderately Unsatisfactory – 3; Unsatisfactory – 2; Highly Unsatisfactory – 1

3.3 Efficiency

68. Rating: Moderate. Efficiency of the project is rated Moderate based on the results of the economic analysis conducted as part of the ICR, as well as other pertinent factors such as per capita investment costs and the implementation time.

69. Economic Analysis. The project’s viability is based on the Economic Rate of Return (ERR) and Net Present Value (NPV) of the measurable, incremental benefits and total project costs using actual investment expenditures as well as annual O&M costs through the asset life. Three main sets of benefit streams were considered: (a) decreases in the time spent collecting water; (b) welfare gains at household level associated with reduced expenditure on water storage tanks as well as need for in-house treatment (i.e. boiling water); and (c) reduced incidence of water related diseases such as infectious hepatitis and acute enteric infections as a result of improved access to high quality water and decline in the reliability on standing water sources. As with all economic analyses, the costs are perfectly observed while the benefits are not. Detailed analysis, including the assumptions for the analysis are provided in Annex 3.

Table 3.2: Results of the Economic Analysis

Overall Project Economic Viability ICR (at completion) PAD (at appraisal) ERR NPV (USD) ERR NPV (US$) 15% 1,890,648 32% 12.9million

70. The estimated ERR at ICR was 15% and the NPV was US$$1,890,648, assuming a social discount rate of 12% and 26 years of asset life, including 6 years of project implementation, with corresponding benefits to be realized starting in 2015. The analysis reveals that actual economic indicators (ERRs) are much lower than those projected during appraisal. Given the conservative assumptions used (low skill wages, low number of daily trips), and the fact that no benefits could be accounted for part of the activities of component B, and all of the activities of component C and D, the project’s NPV and ERR are in fact expected to be even higher than those estimated. Additionally, the project has relatively low per capita investment costs of about US$ 163 per capita, which are consistent with average unit costs from the region12. This is considered to be reasonable given the low population density of the project area. Based on these results, combined with the

12 Data from similar projects supported by Oxfam had average unit costs of US$ 157 per capita.

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need for an additional 17 months to complete implementation of investments, the efficiency of the project is considered to be Moderate compared with the ex-ante analysis conducted at appraisal.

3.4 Justification of Overall Outcome Rating

71. The project’s overall outcome is rated Moderately Satisfactory considering the aggregate of its High relevance, Substantial efficacy in achieving the PDO, and Moderate efficiency. The project is still highly relevant and provision of potable water supply and sanitation services remain high priorities for the GoKR. While the project has resulted in improved access to potable water supply to about 83,000 people, improved hygiene, sanitation and water related practices in project areas, and strengthened institutions responsible for water supply and sanitation in Kyrgyz Republic, the risks to development outcomes remain substantial.

3.5 Overarching Themes, Other Outcomes and Impacts

(a) Poverty Impacts, Gender Aspects, and Social Development

72. While there was no formal poverty reduction assessment conducted at any stage of the project, it can be reasonably concluded that in providing access to safe water and improved sanitation services to people in rural communities, most of whom are poor, the project improved the well-being of these people thus contributing to overall poverty reduction. Similarly impacts on gender are envisaged to have been positive given that women in the Kyrgyz Republic, like many other countries, are usually responsible for managing water collection and hygiene related issues at the household and community levels. Women are an integral part of Water Committees established through the project, and 65 percent of CDWUUs have women occupying at least one of the three most senior positions on their committees. Inclusion of women has not only enabled greater gender balance, but also adds value in knowledge and management of services since women are primarily responsible for managing WSS at the household and in often at community levels.

(b) Institutional Change/ Strengthening

73. The PDO aimed to strengthen the institutional framework and capacity for managing rural water supply and sanitation services in Kyrgyz Republic in a sustainable manner. Interventions included capacity building and technical assistance targeting institutions at the national, local government, as well as community levels responsible for these services. The project has registered achievements in terms of capacity built through training of national and local government staff in subjects needed to sustainably manage water and sanitation services; and provision of equipment and facilities to strengthen sector institutions. Key achievements in terms of institutional strengthening are summarized under the discussion on Institutional Strengthening outcomes in Section 3. 2 above.

(c) Other Unintended Outcomes and Impacts (positive or negative) There were no significant unintended outcomes from the project.

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3.6 Summary of Findings of Beneficiary Survey and/or Stakeholder Workshops

74. A Beneficiary Survey was not conducted for the project. However an Impact Assessment was carried out by the Government with support from IDA. Key findings of the Impact Assessment are presented in Annex 5.

4. Assessment of Risk to Development Outcome

75. Rating: Substantial. The maintenance and sustainability of the project’s development outcomes will depend on several factors. The project’s risk to development outcome is rated “Substantial”, based on the aggregate of technical, financial, institutional and social considerations that could affect the sustainability of outcomes achieved under different project components.

76. Financial and Institutional Risks: On the financial front there is a substantial risk that not all CDWUUs will be able to collect sufficient revenues to cover the costs of operating and maintaining the water supply systems, and that limited national budget allocations to the sector would not be able to adequately cover budget deficits. Similar risks exist with regard to sustained financial support for adequate maintenance of school sanitation facilities. Actual O&M costs for WASH facilities based on data obtained from participating rural schools and private schools in Bishkek revealed that the rural schools were spending substantially less than is needed to properly maintain the facilities. In the pilot schools of Talas Oblast for instance, KGS 27.5 per student per year was spent for operation and maintenance of WASH infrastructure on average, compared to KGS 196.6 from one the private schools in Bishkek. In contrast, according to the Russian Federation’s sanitary standards, average annual expenses for household goods, disinfectants and health goods as converted to KGS, were KGS 287 per student per year. Mitigation of these risks would require a combination of political will and institutional factors, primarily involving central and local governments, as well as school administrators, Education and Health Ministries, as applicable, maintaining policies for sound management, provision of continued support and allocation of adequate resources for system operation and maintenance, including cost-recovery in the medium- to long-term supported by adequate budgetary provisions for covering deficits in the interim. While the project has helped strengthen the enabling environment by strengthening sector policy and capacity building for DDWS, Ayil Okmotus and CDWUUs, and there has been progress by many CDWUUs to collect revenues, there is still need for sustained support to the sector at all levels.

77. Social and Attitudinal Risks: Risks from a social and attitudinal perspective are considered Moderate. While there is a strong awareness, support, and appreciation of project achievements by most project beneficiaries, maintaining the development outcomes achieved by the project will require project beneficiaries to remain motivated to continue operating and maintaining the facilities in a sustainable manner, including paying needed contributions towards cost recovery or user charges as applicable. The provision of hygiene and sanitation education and sensitization to beneficiaries was a first step in addressing this risk by creating a greater awareness of the benefits of using improved sanitation facilities and services. More should be done to maintain the engagement with beneficiary communities on these issues, including continued sensitization of school children and adults on the proper use and maintenance of toilet facilities. 25

This will require a joint effort by relevant stakeholders, including school administration officials, parents, and students.

78. Technical Risk: Risks from a technical perspective are considered moderate. While the quality of construction of investments in most sub-projects was adequate and technologies used more efficient, particularly after revision of norms, there is evidence of some sub-projects experiencing issues linked in part to the fact that envisaged works were not fully completed due to resource limitations. Additionally, technical risks relate to inadequate capacity for proper operation and maintenance of facilities in some CDWUUs, and the availability of engineers and technicians that are adequately trained and fully understand the application of international technical standards. The need for chlorination of water supplies for instance is an issue for much of the FSU, due to concerns about potential over-dosing. While the new sector strategy outlines the need for chlorination of water supplies, there is need for continued advocacy on its benefits in regard to water quality, and CDWUUs must be trained in proper chlorine handling and dosing. Technical sustainability of all facilities is thus closely dependent on appropriate management and maintenance systems remaining in place, supported by the enforcement of policies to ensure continued availability of resources, and adequate capacity and availability of tools and spare parts.

5. Assessment of Bank and Borrower Performance

5.1 Bank Performance

(a) Bank Performance in Ensuring Quality at Entry

79. Rating: Moderately Unsatisfactory. Bank performance in ensuring quality at entry is rated Moderately Unsatisfactory based on its role in facilitating and supporting design, preparation, and appraisal of the project, with some significant shortcomings. Project design and preparation activities were consistent with the Bank’s fiduciary requirements, and appraisal took into consideration pertinent technical, financial, and economic aspects of proposed activities. Design duly considered lessons from RWSSP and incorporated implementation measures to address some of the challenges and outstanding issues from that project. As part of due diligence conducted during preparation the team identified key risks to project implementation and outcomes and mitigation measures to address them. Shortcomings mainly relate to the Bank’s judgment in accepting at negotiations to entrust project implementation on the JPMU, which was assessed to have limited capacity and experience with Bank projects, as well as inadequate design of project M&E arrangements.

(b) Quality of Supervision

80. Rating: Satisfactory. The ICR rates Bank performance for quality of supervision as having been satisfactory, taking account of the extent to which the Bank managed its fiduciary and technical support responsibilities during implementation, steering the project back on track after a very difficult start, allowing it to substantially achieve its intended objectives. Project implementation was closely supervised by the Bank, with adequate resources allocated in terms of budget and staff with an appropriate skill mix for supervision throughout the project implementation period. Formal supervision missions were carried out at least twice a year by the 26

team and the locally based co-TTL followed implementation on a daily basis. Visits to participating communities were routinely carried out implementation issues were described candidly in aide-memoires and ISRs, and sufficient attention paid to safeguards and fiduciary aspects as needed. To further strengthen implementation support to the project in view of the challenges it faced, the Bank assigned a Lead Water and Sanitation Specialist based in Washington as Task Team Leader (TTL), and stationed another seasoned co-TTL in Bishkek to provide support on the ground to address technical issues, as well as manage the day to day dialogue on concerns encountered by the project. The Bank exercised sound judgment in its decision to restructure the project in light of the serious performance issues. In recognition of the positive turn-around in project performance and outcomes, the GOKR even awarded the Bank co-TTL a rare medal of “Honorable Builder of the Kyrgyz Republic” in early 2013. Bank Management should be commended for understanding the importance of remaining committed to the project/sector through the very difficult 2010-2013 period, were multiple intractable problems accumulated against it. Bank patience, and the commitment of an unusual level of supervision resources are among the factors that enabled an improbable project turnaround and gradual rebuild of sector capacities.

(c) Justification of Rating for Overall Bank Performance

81. Rating: Moderately Satisfactory. Overall Bank performance is rated Satisfactory on the basis of the Bank’s performance during preparation and implementation, and its contribution as discussed above to the Moderately Unsatisfactory project quality at entry and Satisfactory quality of supervision, ultimately resulting in the overall Moderately Satisfactory project outcome.

5.2 Borrower Performance

(a) Government Performance

Rating: Moderately Unsatisfactory

82. Government performance is assessed as Moderately Unsatisfactory on balance on the basis of the overall performance of the national government, including the executing and implementing agencies, and of the participating local governments and the CDWUUs over the project lifetime. The ICR would like to emphasize that while some individual entities did demonstrate good performance at different times, this rating assesses the aggregate of performance of government over the entire implementation period, including in light of issues the project faced at critical times.

83. National Government. The ICR assesses the performance of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) as the Borrower, and the line Ministries/Government Agencies in charge of rural water supply and sanitation during project preparation and implementation, as implementers as having been Satisfactory and Moderately Unsatisfactory, respectively, on balance, although there were variations in performance of the different agencies and at different times during implementation. Government commitment to the project was considered to have been adequate at the time of entry, and part of the justification for processing the project as a “Repeater” was confirmation of the Borrower’s interest in scaling up the existing project activities in this manner. During implementation however, Government commitment to the project was affected by the political 27

instability in the country, and repeated changes of line Ministries/Government Agencies responsible for the project.

84. The DRWS was in fact transferred to different Ministries four times between 2008 and 2012, initially being transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture to the National Agency for Local Self Governance (NALSG) as part of efforts by government to ensure closer links between the sector and rural self-government bodies. The Project was negotiated with NALSG as Executing Agency, when DRWS and its JPMU were then located under its supervision. However, following negotiations, in the first 18 months of project implementation, DRWS and JPMU changed institutional home repeatedly, moving from the NALSG to the Ministry of Natural Resources, and then on to the State Committee of Water Resources and Amelioration (SCWRA). SCWRA was supposed to oversee project implementation at the line Ministry level but it lacked specific WSS expertise and it was not able to provide adequate oversight to ensure sound implementation performance. Line agency/Ministry support and commitment to the project was further affected by instabilities from the prevailing political climate. The Project was later transferred under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister’s office and ARIS was appointed as both the Implementing Entity and Executing Agency. DRWS, which had by then moved under State Agency for Architecture Construction and Regional Development (later .and Communal Services, SAACCS or GOSSTROY), remained the primary institutional partner of the project and was the main beneficiary for all Institutional Development activities facilitated by ARIS. It took the GOKR a lot of pragmatism to allow an NGO such as ARIS, – admittedly highly experienced with implementation of Bank projects - to step in to not only take on Implementation Entity (i.e. PIU) responsibilities, but to also represent the Government as Execution Agency (Ministry) for the sector.

85. After project Executing and Implementing Agency responsibilities were transferred to ARIS, there was a significant improvement in performance. Similarly, with the transfer of DRWS to GOSSTROY, a department with all functional responsibilities in it, stronger leadership was established in the sector, and Government provided more effective support to the project. These developments, combined with the strong support from MoF, which was a strong advocate for the project restructuring within Government, were instrumental in the project’s turn-around.

86. Local Governments/ Ayl Okmotus. Performance of the Ayl Okmotus varied considerably among individual participating local governments, but is also assessed as having been Moderately Satisfactory on balance. Performance varied based on factors such as capacity of individual members and strength and independence of the individual local governments. Of the 453 Ayl Okmotus in Kyrgyz Republic only 18 percent are independent.

(b) Implementing Agency or Agencies Performance

87. Rating: Moderately Satisfactory. The implementing agency performance rating is based on assessment of the performance of the different agencies, JPMU, ARIS, and the CDWUUS, as well as the project’s overall outcome.

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88. JMPU. Performance of the JMPU originally assigned responsibility for project implementation is assessed as having been Unsatisfactory. The JPMU was envisaged as a temporary unit of DRWS, structured to increase the capacity of NALSG/DRWS to take over future work. Unfortunately however the capacity of the JPMU was found to be weak and its performance sub-optimal after the project became effective, leading to a series of implementation challenges discussed in Section 2.2 above. Responsibility for implementation was eventually transferred from the JPMU to ARIS.

89. ARIS Performance. ARIS’s performance is assessed as having been Satisfactory based on its performance after transfer of implementation responsibilities to it as part of project restructuring. ARIS, an NGO with a good track record of project implementation, showed courage and dedication in accepting a project with very serious implementation issues. It adequately fulfilled its key project implementation roles in accordance with the Project Agreement it signed with IDA, and supervision ratings for financial management, procurement, and safeguards aspects under the Agency’s watch were generally satisfactory. In overseeing overall project implementation, the agency also coordinated and supervised required tasks, including supporting the engineering design and technical supervision aspects during the difficult transition from the SNIPs to the revised standards for sub-project design. The transfer of supervision responsibilities to ARIS was instrumental in contributing to the project’s overall outcome after the initial challenges.

90. CDWUUs. CDWUU performance is assessed as having been Moderately Satisfactory, on balance, with some exhibiting exemplary or satisfactory performance while others performed poorly. Differences in the performance of CDWUUs are attributed to various factors such as existing capacity and commitment to the project. Some CDWUUs had relatively experienced staff, often with a technical professional background relevant to management of water supply facilities.

(c) Justification of Rating for Overall Borrower Performance

91. Rating: Moderately Satisfactory. The rating for Borrower performance combines the mixed ratings for the Government’s and the aggregated rating of the implementing agencies’ performance during preparation and implementation as well as consideration of the overall outcome rating for the project in general.

6.0 Lessons Learned

92. Design of so called ‘repeater’ or follow-on operations should involve comprehensive consultations with various key stakeholders to capture any legacy issues and incorporate important lessons on what has and has not worked at different stages of the original project. The repeater project should build in arrangements to address the legacy issues and provide solutions to outstanding challenges from the original project. Accordingly, also the timing of a repeater project should allow for such lessons to be available.

93. Design of project implementation arrangements should hinge on building robust institutional structures that can withstand internal and external shocks such as the

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withdrawal of individual champions or changes in government. The project preparation process on the part of Government was championed by strong individuals within the NALSG. Project oversight and implementation capacity however, declined considerably following the departure of these individuals after the project became effective, given the weak institutional capacity within the broader DRWS and the JPMU. The frequent transfer of the project’s institutional home from one agency to another, without strong leadership, exacerbated implementation problems.

94. Strengthening local engineering-design capacities and standards should be an important element of capacity building efforts to enhance the technical sustainability of water supply and sanitation infrastructure investments. In contexts of low local technical design capacities as was the case in the Kyrgyz Republic, it is important to foster the acceptance of international expertise and standards, and to mobilize it in partnership with local firms.

95. Improved convenience in access to water through the provision of household connections motivates payment for water supply services among rural communities. The culture of not paying for services in many Kyrgyz villages remains a challenge. However, the provision of yard or household connections – which really makes the difference in cold rural areas – has proved to be an important factor in determining whether or not people pay for services. Improved quality of water alone, on the other hand, has not seemed to influence people’s motivation to pay as much, as villagers generally perceive their water as clean.

96. The community-based CDWUU rural water supply delivery model is not always a panacea for success, but requires careful design based on sector maturity and context, including a candid assessment of existing capacity at the local level. Stakeholders must be prepared for the fact that some CDWUUs may underperform or fail because of inadequate capacity or financial resources to address issues, and must plan for solutions to assist CDWUUs in need. These CDWUUs will require sustained support to ensure success. It is imperative that the next project makes progress in developing a system to support CDWUUs effectively.

97. Sustained Bank engagement and support to client governments in the face of serious sector challenges can enable an improbable project turnaround and gradual rebuild of sector capacities. Bank patience, and the commitment of a substantial level of supervision resources are among the factors that enabled the project to be turned around. Sustained Bank engagement kept the window for continued dialogue open to rebuild capacities and provide strategic direction to the sector. Bank Management should be commended for understanding the importance of remaining committed to the project/sector through the very difficult 2010-2013 period, were multiple intractable problems accumulated against it.

98. Turn-around of problem projects requires intensive supervision through staff on the ground. Decentralization of staff for instance through assignment of a senior co-TTL in country can enhance implementation support and greatly improve the effectiveness of Bank supervision capacity on problem projects.

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99. To achieve the full health benefits, hygiene and sanitation interventions should always accompany water supply investments. The Synergies that exist between rural water supply and sanitation programs and health programs, and should be exploited more. A key lesson from the RWSSP2 was that optimal health results were achieved when water supply, hygiene, and sanitation interventions were implemented together. For example, the identification through the project of school children infected by helminths, and subsequent treatment for the same, had a positive result on the project’s impact and how it was perceived by the local communities.

100. Improving sanitation and hygiene practices in schools may trigger positive changes at home; however much more must be done to support Sanitation at the household level in Kyrgyz Republic to fully achieve health outcomes. Using the toilet in parts of rural Kyrgyz Republic remains a challenge, especially for women and children. Although the project focused mostly on schools, greater promotion of sanitation at the household level using appropriate mechanisms such as a “sanitation marketing” approach to further improve sanitary conditions in homes would be important.

101. Bank teams should manage expectations and ensure that sufficient and meaningful dialogue is maintained with all key stakeholders prior to and throughout project implementation. The project implementation experience could have benefitted from better communication with clients and beneficiaries on not only the envisaged results, but also on the limitations and potential challenges which called from frequent adaptation.

102. Civil society can be important allies and partners to project implementation. Civil society support to project beneficiaries to draw attention to issues that they felt were not being adequately addressed by Government were initially seen as an unwelcome distraction to a project already plagued by numerous challenges. However the ultimate incorporation of civil society as allies and partners in project implementation helped to improve overall project transparency and relationships among key stakeholders by allowing civil society to act as a bridge between beneficiaries and Government often helping to facilitate difficult discussions as independent parties.

103. Project implementation arrangements should always be designed to strengthen internal Government capacity. Even where circumstances may call for non-governmental implementation support, the selected implementing entity should work closely with the respective government counterparts to ensure that their capacity is built. Transferring implementation responsibility to ARIS was a pragmatic solution to chronic implementation challenges, and it played an important role in improving overall project performance, as earlier discussed. ARIS worked closely with DWSS, involving the latter in critical implementation steps, including procurement and dedicated TA activities. With such approach, although the Government entity may not have the required skills to implement a project without external support, in the long term, their sustained engagement should progressively help develop the necessary capacity to run similar operations.

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7. Comments on Issues Raised by Borrower/Implementing Agencies/Partners (a) Borrower/implementing agencies

104. Annex 7 presents a summary of the Borrower’s ICR. The Borrower’s ICR was well prepared and informative, and findings drew from a strong evidence base based on project experiences. The assessment of project implementation and outcomes are generally consistent with the Bank ICR.

105. In addition to the Borrower’s ICR, comments on the Bank’s ICR were received from the Government, both from the Ministry of Finance and the State Agency for Architecture, Construction, and Housing and Utility Infrastructure/ DWSS, and they have been incorporated in the report, where possible. In particular, comments from the DWSS reflect a broad view of issues that have affected the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector and operations financed by the Bank as well as other donors in the Kyrgyz Republic since 2002. Some of them do not pertain to RWSSP2. Copies of the respective Government letters providing the full list of comments are included as Annex 8b, and footnotes have been added in that section to clarify and respond to some of the key issues raised. Comments provided also capture important considerations for future interventions in the sector. Comments from the Ministry of Finance on the other hand mainly relate to clarification of outputs.

(b) Co-financiers

106. Comments to the ICR received from DFID focused on clarification of specific details in the main text and were incorporated directly in that regard. A detailed report of the DFID financed activities is provided in Annex 8a). The DFID ICR accordingly focuses mainly on the Hygiene and Sanitation, and the Institutional Strengthening components of the project. The main findings from the DFID report are consistent with the ICR lessons.

(c) Other partners and stakeholders

107. UNICEF also provided comments and clarifications to the main text in regard to activities implemented by the agency. These comments have been accordingly incorporated in the ICR text.

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Annex 1. Project Costs and Financing

(a) Project Cost by Component (in USD Million equivalent) Restructured % of % of Appraisal Actual/Latest Appraisal Appraisal Appraisal Components Estimate (USD Estimate (USD Estimate (USD at approval after millions) millions) millions) restructuring

Component 1: Water Supply 12.67 86.6 11.11 10.97 98 Infrastructure and Equipment Component 2: Sanitation and 0.56 82.4 0.68 0.68 100 Hygiene promotion Component 3: Institutional 0.36 269 0.64 0.97 151 Development Component 4: Project 1.44 73.6 1.0 1.06 106 Management

Total Baseline Cost 14.31 13.08 13.68 95.6 104.6 Physical Contingencies 0.94 0.00 0.00 Price Contingencies 2.00 0.00 0.00 Total Project Costs 17.25 13.08 13.68 79.3 104.6 Front-end fee PPF 0.00 0.00 0 0

Total Financing Required 17.25 13.08 13.68 79.3 104.6

(b) Financing Appraisal % of Estimate after Actual/Latest Type of Co- Estimate % of Appraisal Source of Funds restructuring Estimate financing (USD millions) Appraisal after (USD millions) (USD millions) restructuring Government Borrower Counterpart 2.04 1.75 2.6 127 148 Funds International Grant and Development 10.0 10.0 9.4 94 94 Credit13 Association (IDA) DFID Grant 6.33 1.33 1.38 22 103.8 Community 0 СDWUU 0 0.30 0 Contributions Total 18.37 13.08 13.68 104.6

13 The IDA financing was broken down as follows: US$ 4.50 grant and US$ 5.50 credit.

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Annex 2. Outputs by Component

A. PROJECT OUTPUTS BY COMPONENTS COMPONENT A. WATER SUPPLY INFRASTRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT This component was to provide financing to local communities represented by CDWUUs to rehabilitate or expand existing village water supply systems. The component provided a combination of grants and credits to local communities in the participating oblasts, for rural water supply and sanitation infrastructure and equipment required for delivery of improved and more sustainable community water supply and sanitation services. The project specifically achieved the following: a) Repair, rehabilitation, and replacement or upgrading of existing village water supply systems in 55 villages in participating communities; and improvement of sanitary and technical conditions in the villages. A total of 37 sub-projects/contracts were implemented for water supply improvement in the 55 villages for a total of USD 9653448.41. Thirty seven water supply sub-projects were implemented in 55 villages for a total of USD 9 653 448.41. Specific investments included: rehabilitated or construction of a total of 40 reservoirs, and drilling of 24 wells, with installation of new water towers and chlorination station. Works also included replacement of old and economically inefficient pumps and electrical equipment with energy efficient Grundfos pumps with 3- year warranties and service period. Meters were also provided to several CDWUUS; 100% of water connections in Korumdu, Jele-Dobo and Baltabay now have meters as a result of the project.

b) Rehabilitation and/or construction of demonstration sanitation facilities at selected schools. The project financed the construction of sanitation facilities at schools in 18 villages at a cost of USD 263733,24. There was an overwhelming demand for facilities from communities, and applications were received from 49 schools in the 36 participating Ayil Okmotus. Selection was carried out by a committee which reviewed applications received from the Ayil Okmotus, accompanied by photographs of existing sanitation facilities to demonstrate status, letters of guarantee from the Ayil Okmotus confirming willingness to contribute 5% co-financing and intention to increase financing for WSS, existence, and operation of school parliaments and Parents’ Committees as well as sanitation and hygiene education plan for schools. Standard-type schools with in-door sanitation facilities were selected from the three pilot Oblasts for rehabilitation. Based on applications received and in line with the evaluation criteria, 10 schools were selected for construction of outdoor sanitation works and 8 schools for rehabilitation of in-door facilities (toilets and washstands). Accordingly, outdoor facilities were built at 10 schools and 8 schools had their in-door sanitation facilities rehabilitated. On-site technical supervision of subprojects was provided by ARIS supervisors and by AO technical supervisors while AO (Clients) kept continuous control over the quality of civil works.

c) Supply of equipment to selected CDWUUs and/or their associations to maintain the water supply systems.  Maintenance Equipment. The Project provided special machinery for water supply system operation to 63 CDWUUs, comprising: 7 diggers, 30 tricycles (motor scooters),

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60 kits of equipment and tools and 60 generators for the total of USD 298 090. Appropriate training was provided in their use. Meetings held with AO and CDWUU representatives were devoted to issues such as ensuring water economy, loss reduction, replacement of street standpipes by household connections, installation of meters and proper operation of submersible well pumps.  Computers for CDWUUs. A total of 80 sets of computer equipment (PC, multifunctional devices, UPS devices) were provided to CDWUUs for the introduction of improved billing systems and improvement of CDWUU subscriber awareness and fee collection. All 80 CDWUUs provided with equipment have been trained. The CDWUU chairpersons and accountants received training in introducing and operating the billing system. Beneficiaries noted that the new billing system was very user- friendly and accessible to use.  Personal safety apparel for water disinfection. 35 CDWUU were provided with personal protection means such as overalls, gloves, caps, masks, goggles, rubber boots to provide protection during the chlorination process.  Computers and laboratory equipment for Department of Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance (SES – sanitary and epidemiological service). Technical assistance has been provided to SES in form of capacity building to support improvement of Raion SES for water quality control and monitoring of parasitic diseases in order to improve the SES capacity and performance in the water supply and sanitation sector. ARIS developed a database for this purpose, with software that will be placed on the Department’s Web-page. Specific outputs provided with this capacity building included: (i) the provision of computers and laboratory equipment. Computer equipment comprised 30 sets of Personal Computers and office equipment (system block, monitor, multifunctional device, UPS) and a server for the database; while (ii) laboratory equipment for water tests was provided for 13 pilot Raion SES laboratories. The database has been introduced for the Central Department and its units in Bishkek, as well as for 13 target Raion (regional) services. Additionally, to operate the database ARIS procured and handed over computer equipment to the Department. All specialists from 13 Raion pilot SES received training in database and started introducing this system at the central and Raion level.

d) Provision of consultancy services for preparation of design and bidding documents, and for technical supervision of construction activities to ensure the quality of infrastructure financed by the Project.

COMPONENT В. SANITATION AND HYGIENE PROMOTION PROGRAM. This component supported village-level promotion of healthy hygiene and sanitation practices through technical assistance. As discussed above, actual refurbishment or construction of demonstration sanitation facilities at schools was financed through Component A, as part of the infrastructure works. An agreement for implementation of this component was signed between ARIS and UNICEF on June 17, 2013, and most activities were carried out after this. Activities have been completed under this component for pilot villages at the community and school level. The focus of work in the pilot communities mainly aimed at social mobilization in order to involve people in improvement of sanitation and hygiene practices at the school or household level. 35

Specific outputs under this component are as follows:

a) Hygiene and sanitation promotion in communities and schools.

 Sanitation and hygiene promotion in communities. Sanitation and hygiene have been promoted in the communities by training of community members in PHAST method and training of students using UNICEF WASH in Schools methodology. Community training was delivered in two stages. Stage 1 covered VHC members during two-day training by PHAST method, 556 VHC members in total represented by 427 women and 129 men from 55 pilot villages. During the second stage the VHC trained members of all households in pilot villages. A total of 30,101 participants were trained.  Training of teachers and students. For the training of students in sanitation and hygiene by UNICEF WASH in Schools methodology, the first stage involved training of two teachers from each school as trainers – 87 women and 23 men totaling 110 trainees. These trainers, subsequently trained teachers of primary classes and classroom teachers in their respective schools, covering 1 957 trainees in total (414 men and 1543 women).  In addition, extra-curricular activities have been held in each class of 1st to 11th grades covering all students of schools. Each school was provided with 5 to 10 manuals “WASH in schools” developed by UNICEF. For higher efficiency of classes and developing proper hygienic behavior, UNICEF also handed over a hand-washing demonstration kit GloGerm. Teachers and children reported continued use of the manual and the kit after completion of the RWSSP2.

b) Social mobilization in pilot communities. Social mobilization in pilot villages has been carried out in various ways such as the following.

 Community meetings in the beginning and upon completion of project activities in each of pilot villages.  Exchange visits between villages. - In Issyk-Kul Oblast, an exchange visit took place on March 5, 2014 in one secondary school in Tuura-Suu village of Ton Raion. It invited heads of Aiyl Okmotu, Aiyl Kenesh members, school management, CDWUU, parents’ committees and VHC from pilot villages hosting 110 participants including 55 women. The visit showed that it is possible to maintain school toilets in proper condition and ensure access to water for students. - In Naryn Oblast, an exchange visit dedicated to World Water Day took place on March 22, 2014 in Kazybek village (At-Bashy Raion) and on March 23, 2014 in Bash-Kuugandy village, Jumgal Raion. Exchange visits involved around 100 participants.

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- In Talas Oblast, an exchange visit between villages was held on March 27, 2014 and dedicated to World Water Day. This event took place in a community club in Kum-Aryk village, Talas Raion. Around 160 villagers participated in the visit including government officials from Bakai-Ata, Talas and Kara-Buura raions, Aiyl Okrug, school management/teachers, CDWUU, VHC and parents committees etc. The participants shared their experiences of social mobilization, PHAST training in their villages and overcoming the emerging difficulties etc. almost all schools presented their wall newspapers, contests of paintings/essays, design sketches of school and household toilets etc.  Parents’ conferences proved to be efficient means of outreach activity. They discussed the importance of S&H for child health, sanitation and hygiene status in schools, personal hygiene rules, frequency of changing underwear and bedclothes for a child treated oxyuricide, and the need for mobilization of local resources to ensure adequate financing of O&M costs for WASH facilities. Many parents began realizing the need for financial support to schools for maintaining the WASH infrastructure.  School parliaments. Each school’s parliament was invoked to introduce WASH principles. This involved a series of activities, such as: revival of sanitary assistants elected from among students, who together with parliaments organized contests for “Most Clean Classroom”, monitored the appearances and tidiness of students/classrooms, held Saturday cleaning days around schools, and organized contests of paintings, essays and newspapers devoted to “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene”. Results of contests were recognized at school lineups.  Raion-level round tables for discussion of O&M for school WASH facilities. Representatives from Raion governments, education departments, SES, Family Practitioners Centers, Aiyl Okmotu, school management, CDWUU, VHC, HPC, RHC and other stakeholders took part in these events. The participants have been provided with data on standard rates and actual O&M costs for WASH both in-kind and cash. Village-level round tables were organized with the support of Aiyl Okmotus and attended by school management, CDWUU, VHC, parents committees, school parliaments and other stakeholders. Participants have been informed of maintenance costs for sanitation facilities, hygienic needs (soap, toilet paper) per student per year and expense rates for health aids.  Awareness campaign. An awareness campaign was implemented through celebration of World Water Day, release of promotional and propaganda leaflets/videos, creation of a Webpage, general school/classroom stands with visual information, performance by famous singers and amateur performances by people from pilot villages. The World Water Day’s celebration coincided with an exchange visit accompanied by performance of improvising Akyn (story-tellers) and Komuz players. Akyns are very popular and respected in the communities, therefore these communication channel has been innovatively used to convey key WASH messages to villagers and decision makers. AHP made presentations of the project progress followed by reports of invited Raion deputy governors, directors of VHC, CDWUU, schools and members of parents committees. This event made good effect leaving positive emotions in the hearts of the participants.

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 Promotional materials included:  Video Production. Three videos were produced and broadcast over national and Oblast TV: “Always wash hands”, “School toilets as seen by children” and animated graphics.  Posters. Three types of posters were produced and devoted to solicitous attitude to water, proper sanitation and hygiene at the household level and the importance of washing hands with soap. Posters have been distributed to all pilot communities and displayed in schools, VHC and other public places.  Comic books. 20 000 copies of a comic book for children “Let’s keep it clean” have been distributed to all schools for reading by junior students.  Webpage. A Web-page on basic health principles developed.  General school/classroom health points established in every school. c) Dehelminthization. Two laboratory studies were carried out in each school, covering 25 school students (grades 1-4) each time. As result of the first testing, 211 children were diagnosed with invermination, 209 of whom received medical treatment. One child from Ak Olon village did not receive treatment due to his change of residence to Balykchy. The costs of treatment with piperazine, albendazole, and mebendazole were paid by the parents. All persons being in contact with the infected children (parents and other family members) were sent to the rayon-level sanitary and epidemiological service for medical examination. Local family practitioners issued prescription for medical treatment of these children. In addition, doctors met with parents to provide detailed information regarding the need for re-treatment. d) Comprehensive needs assessment performed and annual costs of expendables and services required for routine and limited extraordinary maintenance of WASH facilities in schools estimated. The analysis was conducted based on the data obtained from schools in the pilot villages covered by the RWSSP-2, as well as the data provided by the Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Health and its local units, and municipal authorities. The assessment of needs/ costs for expendables and services of medical aid points was not performed due to the decision not to construct any sanitary and technical facilities of the Ministry of Health (this suggestion goes beyond the context). According to the data of the Ministry of Education, average annual per student costs planned for 2013 under the standard budget financing for rural schools were KGS 6.2. Since the actual funding for this category of costs was 62.7%, the actual annual spending per student amounted to KGS 3.89. Based on the data provided by the schools, calculations were made for actual spending for operation and technical maintenance of WASH facilities. The pilot schools in Talas on average spent KGS 27.5 per student per annum for operation and technical maintenance of WASH infrastructure. For the purpose of comparison, similar data were requested from a private school in Bishkek. According to data obtained a private school in Bishkek spends KGS 196.6 per student per annum. According to the sanitary norms of the Russian Federation, average annual costs for disinfection and hygiene expendables, expressed in Kyrgyz Soms, amounts to KGS 287 per student per year. Thus, the estimated monthly costs for purchasing cleaning/ disinfection and hygiene products per student (based on the current local market prices) amount to KGS 23.5 (if liquid soap is

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used) and KGS 28.7 (if bar soap is used), i.e. the costs for nine months of school would be KGS 211.5 and the annual costs would be KGS 258 in 2013. This data was confirmed by the actual costs data incurred by the school in Tuura Suu village, Ton rayon, Issyk Kul oblast.

e) Strengthening the institutional framework for sustainability of WASH infrastructure at schools. The following activities were carried out.  Establishment of WASH committees composed of school management, parents committees, VHC, CDWUU, Aiyl Okmotu, school parliament and local Kenesh members to assist management of schools in identifying and planning resources for financing O&M costs of WASH facilities; implementing activities for changing the hygienic behavior of students; monitoring of WASH facilities status at schools etc. Many WASH committees, in conjunction with parents committees, undertook to organize supplies of soap and paper towels and schedules of procuring hygiene items.  Approval of Standard Operational procedures (SOP) for O&M of sanitation and hygiene facilities in each school from pilot villages. SOP are meant for supervision of proper operation and maintenance of toilets, hand-washing facilities and garbage bins. They have been approved by headmasters of schools and countersigned by each person in charge of sanitation facilities. SOP are displayed by relevant sanitation facilities in schools and/or offices of respective persons in charge.  Memoranda of cooperation have been signed for maintaining adequate level of school sanitation and hygiene between schools, Aiyl Okmotu, CDWUU, VHC and parents committees. They are aimed to ensure better cooperation and coordination in the sphere of S&H education, sustainability of WASH facilities operation, increased public awareness of S&H practices both in schools and among community members. f) Water connections have been built in 9 schools and 144 wash-stands installed over the project period as part of the Healthy Nutrition Program.

Table A2.1 Summary of WASH Results in the 3 Oblasts

Total Of these, Toilets Wash-stands Began Use boiled Arranged Oblast households trained HH improved upgraded using soap water garbage pits

Issyk-Kul 6550 85 7 16 44 16 3 Naryn 5578 84 26 30 34 86 34 Talas 8806 79 3 15 34 32 4 Total 20934 248 36 61 112 134 41

g) Activities in villages. Activities in villages included organization of cleaning days to remove garbage, clean ditches up and other works including installation of garbage bins, potable water connections and hand-washing stands.

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COMPONENT С. INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING

The principle objective if Component C was to strengthen the institutional framework and capacity for sustainable development of water supply and sanitation sector. A summary of key achievements in respect to the above is presented below. a. Development of a Sector Strategy for Water Supply and Sanitation. A State Program for Development of Water Supply and Sanitation (2014-2024) was prepared with intensive stakeholder participation, and approved by a Government Decree dated 24 September 2014. The Strategy was before the country’s Parliament’s for consideration at the time of the ICR review.

b. Review of legislation in the field of water supply and water disposal. Review and update of the existing legislation regulating the sector in order to support implementation of the above State Sector Development Program was conducted with engagement of key stakeholders at national, local government, and community levels.

c. Creation of Management Information System (MIS) database with GIS interface. Two MIS databases were developed for (i) water supply and sanitation sector performance data collection and management within DRWS; and (ii) for collection and management of data on parasitic diseases and water quality by the Department for Disease Prevention and Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision.

d. Development of a financial model for water supply and wastewater. The Project hired an international consultant to design a financial model for the water supply and wastewater and handed it over to the Department for Drinking Water Supply and Wastewater, and selected Department staff were trained on the use of this model.

e. Review technical norms and standards. The project financed the review and recommendations on optimization of technical standards for water supply and sanitation, and technical advisory support of chlorination in disinfection of potable water

f. Capacity building for LSG bodies and CDWUUs in managing and maintaining water supply systems to provide population with high quality potable water supply to population;

g. Introduction and adoption of an effective billing system at the CDWUU level. To improve CDWUU operations, including tariff collection, 80 sets of office equipment (computer, printer, stabilizer) were provided through the project, and staff trained in operating the billing program.

h. Performance Agreements. A Standard Agreement between AOs and CDWUUs was drafted for provisioning of rural water supply services. The AOs maintained ownership of the rural water supply assets. Cooperation agreements for provisioning of rural water supply services were subsequently signed between AOs and respective CDWUUS.

i. LSGB and CDWUU capacity building

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Exchange visits Example of effective management of water supply system and development of CDWUU is Chyrak, Korumdu, Orgochor, Baltabai and Jele-Dobo in Issykkul Oblast. Virtually each household has electronic water meters and water heaters installed. In order to spread successful experience, exchange visits to Issykkul Oblast were arranged for all ARIS oblast specialists, LSGB representatives and region CDWUUs. The participants of the exchange visit were shown subprojects in Korumdu, Temirovka, Orgochor, Baltabai and Chyrak villages. During the exchange visit, the participants were able to ask questions to AO head, CDWUU chairpersons, technical supervision engineers and other project specialists. Following the exchange visit round tables with participation of deputies of local keneshes, LSGBs, CDWUU administration bodies, NGOs were arranged at aiyl aimak level to discuss the mechanisms of effective management of water supply system and the improvement of relations with consumers in collection of tariffs for use of water etc. TO exchange experience and practice that will be useful in CDWUU capacity building and in indicating mechanisms of improvement of water use tariff collection process, exchange visits for local AK deputies, AO heads and CDWUUs should be arranged. Experience in conduction of exchange visits shows high efficiency, particularly in terms of introduction of new approaches (individual connections through water meters), setting the system of registering of consumers and accounting of water supply.

Training. ARIS specialists conducted assessment of CDWUU staff needs in training and capacity building. A total 21 trainings were conducted in three oblasts. 578 people were trained in those trainings. The training covered 159 CDWUUs of the first and second RWSSP phases. A summary of participants is presented in the table below.

Participants Naryn Talas Issyk-Kul Total

CDWUU chairpersons 55 38 66 159 CDWUU accountants 49 34 63 146 CDWUU carpenters 53 33 69 155 DWSWD chairpersons 2 1 2 5 Chairpersons of raion state 1 1 administration АО chairpersons 42 26 44 112 Total 202 132 244 578

Training in water supply, engineering, water disinfection and sanitation. In line with recommendations provided by a WB Supervision mission, in the purpose of improvement of further activities on building the capacity of LSGBs and CDWUUs, a decision was made to hire a consulting firm to conduct trainings and training activities. A local consultant conducted additional

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assessment of the needs of each 37 CDWUUs and LSGBs. To conduct training, 2 training modules were produced. The training modules consisted of two-day trainings in administrative and financial management of CDWUUs and in relations with consumers as well as two day training in water supply, engineering, water disinfection and sanitation. Under these modules, presentations, prior and post tests in water supply and water disinfection were produced. Based on the produced training modules, trainings were conducted for CDWUU and LSGB staff, deputies of local keneshes and village activists in all 37 municipalities. Training in accounting and operation of billing system. A three-day training was conducted in Issyk-Kul with participation of LSGB heads, CDWUU chairpersons and accountants in all 37 municipalities. In this training, CDWUU accountants and operators underwent training in accounting and operation of billing system. The project also prepared video lessons on key topics of training modules that will be recorded on electronic media and sent to CDWUUs.

COMPONENT D. PROJECT MANAGEMENT

This component supported overall Project management carried out by the Community Development and Investment Agency (ARIS) through financing of:  Provisioning of services of independent experts for assistance in developing subprojects under components;  Creation and maintaining the system of monitoring and evaluation of project effectiveness and outcome;  Operational expenses of ARIS Project Management Unit;  Annual audit of project accounts.

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Annex 3. Economic and Financial Analysis

Methodology. The ex-ante economic analysis included in the project PAD yielded a Net Present Value of US$12.9 million and an internal economic rate of return (EIRR) of 32 percent. The main differences between the ex-ante and ex-post are the assumptions related to the way opportunity costs were measured, to health benefits, and to time spent collecting water, as well as the consideration of reductions in the cost of potable water for the households. GDP per capita was used to quantify opportunity cost of time spent collecting water and spent sick due to waterborne related illnesses instead of our measurement of rural income, which should be a more accurate approach for the villages treated by the project. Improvements in infectious diarrhea were used as a measurement of health related benefits. It was assumed that only villages lacking water service presented cases of this condition. In the ex-post analysis, it was acknowledged that some cases of water related diseases still occur in treated villages after the project. Also, only infectious hepatitis and acute enteric infections were taken into account, for which there was both more complete data and also could be more accurately linked to water conditions. Finally, the assumptions regarding the time spent and saved collecting water overestimated the effect of the project in this dimension when contrasted to the assessment survey results. The ex-ante analysis assumed that collection time was 66 minutes before the project, and that it would decrease around 46 minutes. The actual numbers obtained in the assessment surveys showed a collection time of 17 minutes and a decrease of 9 minutes after the project. The ex-post economic analysis includes (a) the cost of all project components, including other donors contributions and estimated O&M costs, and (b) all measurable benefits, including: (i) reduced time in collecting water decreases in the time spend collecting water; (ii) welfare gains at household level associated with reduced expenditure on water storage tanks and on water treatment (i.e. boiling water); and (iii) and reduced incidence of water related diseases such as infectious hepatitis and acute enteric infections as a result of improved access to high quality water and decline in the reliability on standing water sources. As with all economic analyses, the costs are perfectly observed while the benefits are not. Although the project investments complement investments made under the first Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project (RWSSP) the Economic Analysis considers only costs and benefits associated to the investments financed under RWSSP-2. For the Economic Analysis the evaluation period was defined at 26 years including 6 years of project implementation, with corresponding benefits to be realized starting on 2015. The adopted social discount rate is 12 percent and the standard conversation factor for the cost is assessed at 0.85. All assumptions and key results are outlined below. Benefits: The RWSSP-2 project benefited around 83,000 people in 55 villages, by expanding access and supplying them with better quality and more reliable water services. The project provided financing to local communities represented by Community Drinking Water Users Unions (CDWUUs) to rehabilitate or expand existing village water supply systems. As part of the civil works contracts, this project also financed several improvements in sanitation facilities at schools. Additionally, the project supported village-level promotion of healthy hygiene and sanitation practices through technical assistance aimed at enhancing the positive health effects of the access to better water quality. The detailed list of benefits and main assumptions can be found below:

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 Reduced time in collecting water: Before the project, the average household spent 17 minutes collecting water by trip. This time was lowered to 8 minutes on average14. It is assumed that households make 1.5 trips on average per day, an assumption that is in agreement with the lowered distance between the housing units and the new pumps. This was also supported by anecdotal evidence from the field. A rural average hourly wage of US$0.6615 is used as a measurement of the opportunity cost of this time savings. Under these assumptions, the project is generating annual benefits of USD 1,626,075 from economic gains of saving time to collect water.

 Reduced coping costs: At the time of appraisal, it was a common practice for households to boil water prior to consuming it. Also, a large percentage of households invested in water tanks for security of supply. The analysis assumes that approximately 20 percent of households forgo investments in water tanks following the project due to improved water services. Water storage tanks cost US$250 in the country and a depreciation of around 5% a year is assumed to calculate the future annual savings implied by not purchasing new tanks. Energy savings associated with reduced need to boil water due to improved water quality are estimated based on a 10 liters per capita per day benchmark. According to the household survey 42 percent of households used to boil water before consuming, this practice fell to 21 percent after the project. Well established benchmarks for the regions are used in terms of energy requirements to boil water (0.09 KhW per liter of water) and an economic cost of 0.27 dollars per KhW16. Under these assumptions the project is expected to generate annual benefits of USD 2,123,358 from energy savings linked to boiling water and USD75,000 due to reduced investments in water storage tanks.

 Benefits associated with lower incidence of water related or waterborne illnesses. Prior to the project the incidence of waterborne diseases in benefiting villages was high. The economic analysis focuses on infectious hepatitis and acute enteric infections, conditions commonly associated with poor water quality. The incidence of infectious hepatitis went from affecting 0.38% of the population to 0.22% after the project implementation. The incidence of acute enteric infections went from 0.20% to 0.12%, equivalent to a 40 percent decrease in illness incidence17. The first quantifiable benefit comes from a decrease in the days lost due to these illnesses. With an average of 10 days lost per person for each case, the reduction in the incidence resulted in savings of around US$ 14,045 (pricing each day using the rural wage as before). The second quantifiable benefit is the reduction in expenditure to treat these illnesses. Taking an average cost of treatment of US$88 before the project and US$92 after the project for acute enteric infections, and US$151 before and after the project for infectious hepatitis, give a total annual savings of US$ 33,911 due to the decrease in the incidence.

14 Rebicon (2014). Assessment of Impact and Preparation of Analytical Report. 15 Provided by ILO data for the country. 16 World Bank (2012) Europe and Central Asia Balancing Act; Cutting subsidies, protecting affordability, and investing in the Energy Sector in Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region. 17 Rebicon (2014). Assessment of Impact and Preparation of Analytical Report. 44

Direct or indirect benefits from the activities in component C and D were not taken into account, as they are difficult to measure. Costs: All project costs, including Components A, B, D and front end fees were applied in the economic analysis. DFID financing and IDA credit and grant were included. It was assumed that annual O&M costs were equal to 5% percent of the total investment costs (component A and the sanitary facilities portion of component B), net of VAT. These costs were adjusted by a standard conversion factor of 0.85, as mentioned above. Results: Based on these assumptions the total estimated annual benefits of the project are US$ 3,872,389, yielding an ERR of 15% and a NPV of US$ 1,890,648. Efficiency: The RWSSP-2 has low per capita investment cost of USD 163 per capita. This is particularly good given the low population density of the area.

Results of the Economic Analysis

Overall Project Economic Viability ICR (at completion) PAD (at appraisal) ERR NPV (USD) ERR NPV (US$) 15% 1,890,648 32% 12.10 million

108. The estimated ERR at ICR was 15% and the NPV was US$$1,890,648, assuming a social discount rate of 12% and 26 years of asset life, including 6 years of project implementation, with corresponding benefits to be realized starting in 2015. The analysis reveals that actual economic indicators (ERRs) are much lower than those projected during appraisal. Given the conservative assumptions used (low skill wages, low number of daily trips), and the fact that no benefits could be accounted for part of the activities of component B, and all of the activities of component C and D, the project’s NPV and ERR are in fact expected to be even higher than those estimated. Additionally, the project has relatively low per capita investment costs of about US$ 163 per capita. This is considered to be reasonable given the low population density of the project area. Based on these results, combined with the need for an additional 17 months to complete implementation of investments, the efficiency of the project is considered to be Moderate compared with the ex-ante analysis conducted at appraisal.

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Annex 4. Bank Lending and Implementation Support/Supervision Processes

(a) Task Team members Responsibility/ Names Title Unit Specialty Lending Mirlan Aldayarov Senior Energy Specialist GEEDR TTL Anna Cestari Senior Water Resources Specialist GWADR WSS Specialist Jonathan S. Kamkwalala Practice Manager GWADR Management Nurbek Kurmanaliev Procurement Specialist GGODR Procurement Senior Financial Management Financial John Otieno Ogallo OPSOR Specialist Management Wolfhart Pohl Adviser GCFDR Safeguards Senior Water & Sanitation MNSWA Richard W. Pollard WSS Specialist Specialist - HIS Nargis Ryskulova Operations Officer GTIDR Operations support ECSSO - Social Janna Ryssakova Social Development Specialist HIS Development

Supervision/ICR Program Pier Mantovani Lead Water & Sanitation Specialist GWADR Leader/TTL Anna Cestari Senior Water Resources Specialist GWADR Co-TTL Senior Water & Sanitation Sana Kh.H. Agha Al Nimer GWADR WSS Specialist Specialist Financial Galina Alagardova Financial Management Specialist GGODR Management Lead Water and Sanitation Christophe E. Bosch GWADR WSS Specialist Specialist Roxanne Hakim Senior Anthropologist GSURR Social Safeguards

Asli Gurkan Social Development Specialist GSURR Social Safeguards

Environmental Cesar Niculescu Environmental Specialist GENDR Specialist Environmental Arcadie Capcelea Environmental Specialist GENDR Specialist Water &sanitation Leila Talipova Consultant GWADR Specialist Irina Goncharova Procurement Specialist GGODR Procurement Mary P. Judd Consultant GSURR Nurbek Kurmanaliev Procurement Specialist GGODR Procurement Irina Petrovna Novikova HQ Consultant ST GSURR ECSSO - Social Janna Ryssakova Social Development Specialist HIS Development Yuling Zhou Lead Procurement Specialist GGODR Procurement

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Senior Water and Sanitation Sanyu Lutalo GWADR ICR Author Specialist Paula Restrepo Cadavid Urban Economist GSURR ICR Economist ICR Economic/ Luis Quintero Consultant GSURR Financial Analyst

(b) Staff Time and Cost

Staff Time and Cost (Bank Budget Only) Stage of Project Cycle USD (including travel and No. of staff weeks consultant costs) Lending FY08 4.48 15, 230 Supervision/ICR FY09 34.17 35,968.87 FY10 27.37 91,136.22 FY11 29.12 153,463.65 FY12 22.38 138,362.47 FY13 26.88 160,709.88 FY14 23.91 119,585.16 FY15 16.90 106,473,00 Total: 185.21 699,226.25

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Annex 5. Beneficiary Survey Results

There was no beneficiary survey conducted for the project. However an Impact Evaluation Study was carried out. A summary of the study, its methodology and key findings is presented below.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY

Goals of the survey

. Assessment of access of villagers to drinking water in project impact zones (component 1) . Assessment of sustainability of village public unions of consumers of drinking water (further CDWUU) as an instrument designed to provide access to drinking water (component 2) . Assessment of sanitary-hygiene practices in rural areas (component 3)

The following tasks were carried out to achieve the survey goals:

Component 1

. Quality, quantity and reliability assessment of drinking water supply based on consumers’ feedback. . Assessment of satisfaction level of beneficiaries with the supply of drinking water. . Assessment of potential project impact on the welfare and lifestyle level of beneficiaries, as well as on their health. . Beneficiaries’ feedback assessment about work of CDWUU and questions about local water resource management

Component 2 . Assessment of management efficiency (fee collection, maintenance of water supply systems, staff turnover, support from Ayil Okmotu, MPs, allocation of funds from local budget, potential of the employees) of CDWUU in supply of villagers with drinking water. . Assessment of readiness of villager to pay for good quality water and regular drinking water supply by CDWUU. . Assessment of the level of cost cover of exploitation and technical maintenance of CDWUU water supply systems (CDWUU budgets, AO and other resources)

Component 3

. Assessment of sanitary-hygiene education in schools . Assessment of improvements of sanitary-hygiene conditions in schools. . Public awareness assessment about issues with water, sanitary and hygiene.

Methodology Quantitative and qualitative survey methods were used to achieve the survey goals. They included the following. 49

3.1 Quantitative survey of households

Survey geography

. The survey area included 25 villages of Issyk-Kul, Naryn, and Talas oblasts, covered by the project. The list of villages was provided by the Client. . The control included 25 villages of Issyk-Kul, Naryn and Talas oblasts not covered by the project. The list of non-project villages included those villages which, based on information from the Client, didn’t have WSS located in the proximity of project villages, and which are of the approximately same population. The list was agreed with Client.

Survey sample. As part of the quantitative research, 888 respondents were surveyed: 444 in project impact villages (further project villages) and the rest in villages not impacted by the project (further non-project villages).

Survey object. Selection of households was done using routing sampling method in accordance with steps calculated using the formula: selection step=households number/sample size.

Survey respondents. Respondents included heads of households, or members of households that were 18 years old and above, who are responsible for the payment of municipal services and solving issues related to them.

Survey subjects: Subjects covered included opinions, thoughts and assessments of respondents based on their personal experience with regard to the survey topic.

Survey duration: 20.08-20.09.14

3.2 Focus group discussions (FGDs). In order to obtain contextual information about changes initiated by the project, 12 FGDs were conducted in participating communities. Each FGD consisted of 8-10 people. This number of FG participants is optimal to allow all participants express their thoughts on each question. Target groups of FG: . Group 1 – villagers, residing in households with in-house/in-yard connections . Group 2 – villagers, residing in households and using public water taps/no-users of VWSS . Group 3 – leaders of villages and specialists: AO employees, CDWUU, educational and medical institutions.

66 residents of project villages and 34 specialists – employees of AO, CDWUU, MP of Ayil Kenesh, workers of education and medical institutions, representatives of public organization, village leaders participated in the FGDs

3.3 Expert interviews.

. Survey geography: project villages of Issyk-Kul, Naryn and Talas oblasts

. Survey objects:

- Executives or representatives of CDWUU executives (1 for each village, 25 interviews) - Informed AO or Ayil Kenesh representatives (one for each village, 25 interviews in total)

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Summary of results presented in the survey report

1. Results of the research showed that in general the goals of RWSSP-2 were achieved.

2. 86% of HH have access to WSS services, 85% use it as the main source. In eleven project villages covered by the survey, all residents have access to WSS services. Mainly only those HH are not covered by the WSS services that are located in new settlements and in further settlements where RWSSP2 activities are not planned

3. After rehabilitation of WSS under RWSSP-2, the process of in-house/in-yard installations have started and are still going on. The share of HH that have installed in-house/in-yard connections that use tap water as the main source of drinking water, compared to 2012 has increased from 9% up to 43%. The main obstacle in installing in-house/in-yard connections is the relatively high installation costs.

4. In project villages in comparison with 2012, the share of those HH that use open sources of water for drinking and cooking has significantly decreased from 29% down to 5%. In non-project villages the share of such HH is 23% and the situation during the last three years has not changed.

5. As a result of RWSSP2 activities for the households residing in project villages and using WSS services, the distance to the main source of drinking water has significantly decreased. During 2012 and 2014 the share of HH – WSS service users that deliver drinking water from the sources that are located at distance less than 100 m has increased from 47% up to 77%. The share of those HH for whom the distance to water pipes is more than 500m has decreased from 7% down to 0.3%.

6. Since the distance until the closest source of drinking water has decreased and in general the quality of water supply has improved (the water supply interruption has decreased and the water supply pressure has increased), HH-WSS service users residing in project villages are now spending less time on delivery of water. The average time that HH used to spend on delivery of water, in comparison with 2012 has decreased from 17 minutes to 8 minutes. Also the physical load on women and children, who are usually responsible for the delivery of water, has decreased.

7. The majority of HH WSS service users in project villages (77%) think that the tap water that they use for drinking and cooking is of good or very good quality. This is confirmed by the water quality checks that are conducted by sanitary-epidemiological stations as per agreements made with CDWUU. During 2012 and 2014 56 checks were conducted and the results showed that the quality of tap water meets the national norms. The share of HH that think that they use very good and good quality water, in comparison with 2012, has increased from 47% up to 77%. For comparison, in non-project villages only 19% of HH think that the consumed water are of good and best quality, and in comparison with 2012 the situation hasn’t changed. 70% of HH that do not use tap water have noted that water they use for drinking and cooking is not clean and muddy

8. Because the quality of drinking water has improved, the share of HH that improve the quality of water prior to using it has decreased. 81% of HH-WSS service users who are residing in project villages consume tap water without pre-treating it. The share of has increased by 12% in comparison with 2012. For comparison, 88% of households that do

51

not use WSS services have to pre-treat water by boiling or settling it. The practice of using filters and disinfectant means is not popular in surveyed villages.

9. WSS services users resident in project villages note the increase of water supply pressure in water pipes after RWSSP2 activities were completed. The share of HH that rate the supply pressure in pipes as good and very good has increased during 2012 and 2014 from 36% up to 53%. As per opinion of survey participant the main reason of decrease of supply pressure is the usage of drinking water for the irrigation purposes in spring and summer.

10. During 2012 and 2014 the duration of water supply interruption decreased. The share of HH – WSS service users – that are residing in project villages and who have access to drinking water 12 hours or more per day, has increased over the last three years from 63% to 83%.

11. Since the WSS rehabilitation works were completed relatively recently the interruptions in water supply related to failure of WSS occur rarely and are fixed by CDWUU employees quite promptly. The reasons of interruption in water supply in most of the cases have seasonal character. In spring and summer the interruptions in water supply occur because of usage of drinking water for irrigation purposes. In 2014 the problem in shortage of irrigation water got worse because the summer was a drought.

12. Expansion of coverage with in-house/in-yard connection, and the improved quality of water supply services mean that most HH have no need in reserving drinking water. In 2012 the share of HH of project villages that reserve water was higher than in non-project villages – 87% and 81% respectively. In 2014 in comparison with 2012 in non-project villages the share of HH that reserve water and the average volume of reserved water almost hasn’t changed, whereas in project villages the share of HH that reserve water has decreased until 68% of HH. The average volume of reserved water in project villages has decreased from 40 liters down to 32 liters. The main reason why the majority of HH – WSS service users, residing in project villages (56%) - reserve water is the absence of water pipes.

13. Implementation of RWSSP2 has improved living quality of residents of project villages. Survey participants have noted that their living conditions are similar to urban life standards. Connection to WSS provides the possibility to install water heaters, shower cabins, baths, flush toilets, laundry machines and build saunas. This way the sanitary- hygiene conditions of HH living conditions are improving.

14. It should be noted that women, who carry most of the workload in housekeeping duties, had felt the impact after implementation of RWSSP2. Also, the time spent for water delivery has decreased. Using home appliances and existence of communal comforts decreases the time and physical load on housekeeping.

15. Attempts to teach sanitation and hygiene principles sometimes cause misunderstanding and hostility among the population because it is believed that these rules are known to everybody. However, the survey revealed that regardless of the fact that 100% of HH noted that they use soap to wash hands, particularly after visiting toilets, the share of HH that had no soap available by wash sinks at the time of the survey was 21%.

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16. Activities to inform the population about following sanitation and hygiene principles were conducted in all project villages in the form of seminars and trainings. 74% of HH residing in project villages, during last year received information about improving hygiene in HH. In all project villages village health committees deal with informing population.

17. Survey participants note that after implementation of RWSSP2, the attitude of villagers to sanitation and hygiene have changed – they pay more attention to cleanliness of toilets and using toilet paper etc. Special attention is paid to following rules of hygiene in schools: for instance, class meetings take place, containers with liquid soap are installed; wet wipes and toilet paper are purchased, etc.

18. After conducting rehabilitation of rural WSS under RWSSP2, all schools in surveyed villages have received uninterrupted access to drinking water. At the moment of preparing the report, in schools of 22 villages wash sinks were installed to wash hands, and in seventeen schools – water heaters.

19. Facilities to wash hands (basins and sinks) are available in all schools of project villages. The vast majority of them are located within the school near to canteen. Basin to wash hands near toilets is only available in one school for now.

20. Improved access to high quality drinking water supply services, as well as information on sanitation and hygiene contributed to a decrease in the incidence of infections related to the quality of drinking water in project villages. Thus, from information provided by Ayil Okmotus, there were no infection cases in 2014 related to quality of drinking water, where in 2012 in project villages there were 137 incidence of infecting with hepatitis A.

21. Participation in RWSSP2 allowed the strengthening of human resource capacity of CDWUUs. During 2012 and 2014 the staff members of CDWUU had increased by one third in general and have technical personnel. More than half of the CDWUU employees went through trainings under RWSSP2: 51% of CDWUU employees were trained in collection fees, technical training on servicing the system received 55%

22. Participation in RWSSP2 allowed increasing financial sustainability of CDWUU. Main statement of income of CDWUU budgets is collection of tariff from individuals and legal entities. By providing uninterrupted water supply by exploiting rehabilitated/newly built WSS, the CDWUU will have constant source of income of financial means.

23. Currently majority of WSS subscribers make payments per number of HH members. Only 18HH have water meters installed in their houses. Coverage of population with in-house/in- yard connection with preinstalled water meters would allow measuring and controlling water consumption and compare with the amount tariffs. The obstacles in installing water meters may be the cost of water meter and fear that after installing the meter the WSS service fee payments will significantly increase.

24. Running WSS and installation of tariffs on WSS service would allow the setting up wages in 12 CDWUU, where in 2012 employees used to work voluntarily. Under RWSSP2 all CDWUU in surveyed villages received computers with software to keep billing system of 53

accounting payments, and they are installing the system for their practice. Beside advantages that this billing system has compared to manual accounting, it should be noted that population trusts to automated calculations more.

25. Social status and relevance of CDWUUs in village communities have increased. The majority of HH (89%) in project villages trust CDWUUs in solving village water supply issues, and 75% rate their work as good and very good.

26. Along with the achieved success in CDWUU activities, serious problems occurred. The main problem is the existence of debts on payment for tariffs by individuals. Twenty CDWUUs out of twenty five, at the time the survey was conducted, had debts from individuals. Consequently, CDWUUs suffer from shortage of funds for maintenance of WSS, purchase of tools and materials. Moreover, because of low wages and delays in payment, difficulties occur in attracting skilled professional and the employee turnover is high.

27. The stability of the water supply systems is dependent on how correctly and promptly CDWUUs perform technical servicing. It was found that in seven CDWUUs there are no plans of technical maintenance.

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Annex 6. Stakeholder Workshop Report and Results

No stakeholder workshop was conducted for the project.

55

BORROWER ICR

Annex 7. Summary of Borrower's ICR and/or Comments on Draft ICR

IMPLEMENTATION COMPLETION REPORT

SECOND RURAL WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION PROJECT

56

October 2014

Basic information:

1. Country 2. Project title Second Rural water Supply and Sanitation Project 3. Заемщик Borrower Government of the Kyrgyz Republic 4. Implementing Agency Kyrgyz Republic’s Community Development and Investment Agency (ARIS)

5. Financing amount: US$ XXX million including IDA Credit – 5557462 USD ; IDA Grant – 4505496 USD DFID Grant – 1306105 USD GoK - 3071131 USD 6. GoK Contribution: 7. Loan conditions: 0.75% per year for 40 years with 10 years of grace period

8. Date of signature: May 21, 2009

9. Effective date: August 19,2009

10. Project closing date: October 31,2014

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BORROWER ICR

Structure of Report: I. Project description

A. Background and rationale

B. Overall evaluation of the project objectives and tasks

II. Assessment of implementation A. Project results by components B. Project disbursements C. Performance of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, LSG, Contractors and Consultants D. Performance of the World Bank III. Performance assessment A. Efficiency in achieving the results IV. Overall assessment and recommendations A. Overall assessment and lessons learned B. Challenges encountered and ways for dealing with them C. Recommendations Annexes 1. PROJECT DISBURSEMENTS 2. PROJECT INDICATORS

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BORROWER ICR

I. Project Description A. Background and Rationale Kyrgyz Republic, a small and land-locked country, has a population of 5.8 million, of who 66% are residing in rural area. Since independence the country has pursued a determined policy of privatization and market development. The Kyrgyz Republic faces substantial challenges in rebuilding basic infrastructure in rural areas. Since the collapse of the former Soviet Union, there has been rapid deterioration in the availability and quality of basic public services. Services once taken for granted (drinking water, solid waste collection, treatment, etc.) are often available only intermittently or not available at all. Steady deterioration in the quality of services has led to public health hazards. Today, after more than twenty years of severe neglect, large portions of local service infrastructure, installations, and equipment have deteriorated beyond repair and need to be rebuilt or replaced entirely if service delivery is to be restored to minimally acceptable levels. The capacity of local governments in providing infrastructure services is limited by lack of available fiscal resources, weak institutions that are unable to function under such constrained environment, and utilities that are unable to cope with the rapidly deteriorating infrastructure. An important factor in the current conditions is that as part of the Kyrgyz Republic's move towards decentralization, responsibility for the delivery of most basic local public services was turned over to local self governments (LSGs) in the mid 1990's. Most LSGs were then – and continue to be today - unable to assume the new responsibilities due to the lack of necessary fiscal resources, technical means, and institutional capacities. The Kyrgyz Government policy aimed at improving provision of quality infrastructure services and decentralization of governance in the country identified the relevance of the Project. Infrastructure facilities and services offered to the public by government agencies before became, first, an integral part of the local authorities’ responsibility, and secondly - the critical state of infrastructural facilities required an immediate rehabilitation and reconstruction In this regard, improving access to quality infrastructure services and rehabilitation of infrastructure facilities in villages has become one of the most important social tasks of the Government. It should be noted that before the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project (RWSSP-1 and RWSSP-2 none of investment projects was involved in providing access and rehabilitation of infrastructure facilities. Four problem and six new subprojects under RWSSP- 2 plus 26 problem subprojects continuing from RWSSP Phase 1 have been selected. Through improvement of rural water supply and capacity building, the project has created good preconditions for sustainable development of CDWUU and further independent solving of problems in water supply sector. The Project was the first initiative that supported upgrading infrastructure in villages at the national level as part of the decentralized governance framework. B. Overall assessment of the Project objectives and tasks

The Second Rural Water Supply and sanitation Project focused its efforts in 55 villages of Issyk-Kul, Naryn and Talas Oblasts. The Project beneficiaries were the villages’ residents, rural water supply systems, sanitation facilities in schools, local self-government bodies, NGOs and the Project partners.

The key Project objective was to improve access for participating communities to safe potable water; improved sanitation and hygiene practices in the rural area at individual, household and institutional level; strengthen institutional framework and capacity for further sustainable development of the water supply and sanitation sector.

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BORROWER ICR This objective was achieved by (a) financing the rehabilitation rural water supply systems and construction of sanitation facilities in the schools; (b) improving sanitation and hygiene practices at individual and household level; and (c) assisting local governments in increasing the effectiveness of the WSS sector management. The urgency of the key objective of RWSSP-2 did not diminish over the Project implementation; on the opposite, given the deterioration of the existing infrastructure it became even more important. The same is true about the tasks set for achievement of this objective. Successful achievement of the project goals built on the following approaches: First, decentralized approach to utilization of investment. This has contributed to increased accountability of local self-government bodies, participation of community members in decision making regarding the use of investments. Second, supervision of subprojects by local governments enabled to improve the quality of works and monitor the material investments provided. In third, necessary trainings were delivered for local government bodies and CDWUU as part of institutional development activities. The Project assisted CDWUU in improving their performance efficiency in delivering local infrastructure services and contributed to strengthening their capacity to implement further reforms. Components addressed three critical tasks: These included management of rehabilitated facilities, rehabilitation of water supply and sanitation facilities, improvement and strengthening the CDWUU capacity. The positive results achieved under the project in improving access to water supply services were limited to zones (areas) of specific beneficiaries residence in the area of rehabilitation works. It impeded to fully cover and solve the problem of drinking water in some villages. There is a need for improvement of the CDWUU technical status, reconstruction of facilities and networks, and improvement of management efficiency. This would enable to better address the challenges faced by the Government. Given the critical state of the drinking water supply systems in villages at the beginning of the project, the project involved villages for rehabilitation of head water intakes and replacement of equipment. Due to limited resources, the project did not provide for complete rehabilitation and construction of water supply systems in villages. The assets of water supply systems have been handed over to the municipal ownership of Aiyl Okmotu. II. Evaluation of implementation B. Project results by components In order to achieve Project objective, the below structure of the project was adopted. The project comprised four components, each component dealing with specific tasks. In general, the components were designed to accomplish the tasks set for the Project by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. RWSSP-2 included following components:  Component A. Water Supply Infrastructure and Equipment;  Component B. Sanitation and Hygiene Education Program;  Component C. Institutional Development;  Component D. Project Management.

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BORROWER ICR Component A. Water Supply Infrastructure and Equipment This component will provide a combination of grants and credits to the local communities, who independently established Community Drinking Water Users’ Unions (CDWUUs). Financing is provided for the following purposes:  to rehabilitate and expand existing village water supply systems and improve sanitary and technical conditions in the villages. The component will include rehabilitation or construction of demo sanitation and technical facilities at schools;  to supply equipment to selected CDWUUs and/or their associations to maintain the water supply systems;  to provide consultancy services for preparation of design and bidding documents as well as for technical supervision of construction activities to ensure the quality of infrastructure financed by the Project.

Construction of water supply and sanitation infrastructure The purpose of this component was to provide grants and credits for the repair, rehabilitation, and replacement or upgrading of rural water supply works and systems required for community services improvement. The subcomponent was aimed to address priorities in the water supply sector. 37 contracts have been implemented for water supply improvement in 55 villages for total USD 9 653 448,41 (details by contracts are enclosed in Annex 1).

Disbursements under completed RWSS contracts

No. and name of Contract Contractor Date of Date of Disbursement, Contract Contract USD signing completion

Problem subprojects RWSSP-2/W/NCB/IK5-2-09 “Yug-Stroyservis” OJSC 23.06.2011 28.12.2012 1 027 931,88 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Korumdu

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011-1 JV: FMU-1 Ltd. plus 29.12.2011 26.12.2012 692 990,13 Rehabilitation of rural water supply BIOR Ltd. system in Temir

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011-1/2 Minur Ltd. 29.12.2011 15.02.2013 580 672,37 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Kashat

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011-2 Rehabilitation JV: “Yug-Stroyservis” 03.08.2012 30.04.2014 1 331 772,66 of rural water supply system in Chelpek OJSC and OJSC “Usta”

Subtotal: 3 633 367,04 New subprojects of Phase 2 IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011-6 Rehabilitation Minur Ltd 29.12.2011 31.12.2012 471 985,27 of rural water supply system in Jele-Dobo

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011-7 “Yug-Stroyservis” OJSC 29.12.2011 28.11.2012 436 285,21 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Baltabay

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BORROWER ICR

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011-5 JV: Remservis CJSC, 10.01.2012 31.05.2013 588 925,21 Rehabilitation of rural water supply «MNK» and «Poisk» Ltd system in Ak-Kochkor

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011-3 JV: «Talas-MSPMK» 22.03.2012 24.05.2013 615 693,49 Rehabilitation of rural water supply CJSC, «MPMK-Talas» system in Uch-Emchek CJSC, «Jolchu» CJSC

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011-4 Rehabilitation JV: 18.05.2012 16.08.2013 557 667,77 of rural water supply system in Tugol-Say «Kochkorsuukurulush village and EMG-Stroy»

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011—8 JV: Enesai Ltd. plus 26.07.2012 15.11.2013 556 169,74 Rehabilitation of rural water supply AleksStroi Ltd. system in Koochu

Subtotal: 3 226 726,64 Rectification of Phase 1 problem subprojects

RWSSP-W-Shopping-12-1 Minur Ltd. 11.09.2012 28.01.2013 38 652,16 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Ak-Olon

RWSSP-W-Shopping-12-2 “Yug-Stroyservis” OJSC 11.09.2012 22.03.2013 83 224,09 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Chon-Tash

RWSSP-W-Shopping-12-3 “Yug-Stroyservis” OJSC 11.09.2012 25.01.2013 135 610,06 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Orgochor

RWSSP-W-Shopping-12-4 Enesai Ltd. 20.09.2012 19.12.2012 22 834,14 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Archagul

RWSSP-W-Shopping-12-5 CJSC 20.09.2012 18.12.2012 174 193,89 Rehabilitation of rural water supply Kochkorsuukurulush system in Terek

RWSSP-W-Shopping-12-6 Enesai Ltd. 20.09.2012 25.09.2013 76 639,59 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Jergez

RWSSP-W-Shopping-12-8 “Usta” OJSC 19.10.2012 25.04.2013 33 415,76 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Kara-Oi

RWSSP-W-Shopping-12-9 CJSC 16.01.2013 01.10.2013 139 312,54 Rehabilitation of rural water supply Kochkorsuukurulush system in Kara-Burgon

IDA-RWSSP-SW-2012-10 CJSC Talas-MSPMK 21.01.2013 01.09.2013 148 055,15 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Kopuro-Bazar

IDA-RWSSP-SW-2012-11 CJSC Talas-MSPMK 17.01.2013 15.11.2013 130 149,73 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Yntymak

IDA-RWSSP-SW-2013-1 Rehabilitation FMU-1 Ltd. 17.04.2013 15.10.2013 70 312,75 of rural water supply system in Min- Bulak

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IDA-RWSSP-SW-2013-2 Rehabilitation FMU-1 Ltd. 17.04.2013 16.10.2013 165 213,06 of rural water supply system in Suulu- Maimak, Kuru-Maimak, Joon-Dobo

IDA-RWSSP-SW-2013-3 Rehabilitation OJSC Jumgalsuukurulush 19.04.2013 16.12.2013 174 118,86 of rural water supply system in Bash- Kuugandy

IDA-RWSSP-SW-2013-4 Rehabilitation FMU-1 Ltd. 28.05.2013 27.09.2013 72 690,76 of rural water supply system in Moldo- Asan

IDA-RWSSP-SW-2013-5 Drilling new Issyk-Kul Plus Ltd. 29.05.2013 13.09.2013 39 471,24 well for rural water supply system in Jergez

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—5 Pobeda Ltd. 09.04.2014 30.09.2014 37 843,52 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Chon-Kara-Buura

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—6 JV: “Yug-Stroyservis” 09.04.2014 30.09.2014 45 801,60 Rehabilitation of rural water supply OJSC and Nuska Ltd. system in Ogonbaev, Kalba, Chyiyrshyk

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—7 CJSC 09.04.2014 30.09.2014 65 031,91 Rehabilitation of rural water supply Kochkorsuukurulush system in Tort-Kul, Tuura-Suu

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—8 CJSC 09.04.2014 30.09.2014 41 516,38 Rehabilitation of rural water supply Kochkorsuukurulush system in Kum-Dobo, Buguchu

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—9 FMU-1 Ltd. 09.04.2014 30.09.2014 153 057,60 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Kosh-Dobo IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—10 Pobeda Ltd. 09.04.2014 30.09.2014 48 761,83 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Kyzyl-Oktyabr’, Madaniyat, Urmaral, Kok-Tash, Tash-Kuduk

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—11 CJSC Talas-MSPMK 09.04.2014 30.09.2014 96 110,46 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Arashan, Kozuchak, Kum- Aryk

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—13 CJSC 16.04.2014 30.09.2014 136 491,37 Rehabilitation of rural water supply Kochkorsuukurulush system in Ak-Muz IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—14 “Yug-Stroyservis” OJSC 16.04.2014 15.10.2014 154 289,33 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Baktuu-Dolonotu

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IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—15 JV: FMU-1 Ltd. plus 16.04.2014 15.10.2014 286 882,29 Rehabilitation of rural water supply Poisk Ltd. system in Kazybek, Kyzyl-Tuu, Kara- Bulun

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—17 OJSC Jumgalsuukurulush 16.04.2014 15.08.2014 49 788,76 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Shoro IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—12 Pobeda Ltd. 30.04.2014 29.09.2014 53 177,05 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Kyrgyzstan, Pervomaiskoye, Joon-Korgon IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—16 OJSC Jumgalsuukurulush 03.06.2014 03.10.2014 120 708,82 Rehabilitation of rural water supply system in Ornok Subtotal: 2 793 354,73 Grand total: 9 653 448,41

Note on the achieved efficiency of implemented subprojects – civil works have been completed in full amounts as per all approved detailed designs. 18 contracts for improvement of sanitation facilities at schools in 18 villages have been implemented for the total of USD 263 733,24 (details by contracts are enclosed in Annex 2). Disbursements to implemented RWSSP-2 sanitation subprojects

No. and name of Contract Contractor Date of Date of Disbursement, Contract Contract USD signing completion IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-23/1 Rehabilitation of Ai-Kol Kurulush 30.06.2014 30.10.2014 16 054,54 12-hole toilet at secondary school n.a. K.Orozov Ltd. in Korumdu, Issyk-Kul Raion, Issyk-Kul IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-23/2 Rehabilitation of Ai-Kol Kurulush 30.06.2014 30.10.2014 17 673,45 toilet as secondary schools n.a. B.Mambetov in Ltd. Tort-Kul, Ton Raion, Issyk-Kul

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-23/3 Rehabilitation of Ai-Kol Kurulush 30.06.2014 30.10.2014 16 762,61 14-hole toilet at secondary school n.a. Ltd. E.Kerimgaziev in Temir, Issyk-Kul Raion, Issyk- Kul

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-23/4 Rehabilitation of Ai-Kol Kurulush 30.06.2014 30.10.2014 17 100,28 18-hole toilet at secondary schools n.a. Ltd. K.Kudaiberdiev in Kashat, Issyk-Kul Raion, Issyk-Kul

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-23/5 Rehabilitation of Ai-Kol Kurulush 30.06.2014 30.10.2014 16 595,95 12-hole toilet at secondary school n.a. T.Ataev in Ltd. Baktuu-Dolonotu, Issyk-Kul Raion, Issyk-Kul

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-24 Rehabilitation of Marin-Stroi Ltd. 16.07.2014 16.10.2014 26 268,88 toilet at secondary school n.a. N.Usenaliev in Kazybek, At-Bashy Raion, Naryn

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IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-25/1 Rehabilitation of Pobeda Ltd. 30.06.2014 30.10.2014 8 519,26 toilet at secondary school n.a. R.Osmonov in Joon-Dobo, Kara-Buura Raion, Talas IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-25/2 Rehabilitation of Pobeda Ltd. 30.06.2014 30.10.2014 10 679,74 toilet in secondary school n.a. A.Borubaev in Kara-Oi, Talas Raion, Talas Subtotal: 129 654,71 IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-18/1 Construction of Ai-Kol Kurulush 20.06.2014 20.10.2014 12 329,36 toilet in secondary school n.a. S. Karalaev in Ak- Ltd. Olon, Ton Raion, Issyk-Kul IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-18/2 Construction of Ai-Kol Kurulush 20.06.2014 20.10.2014 15 204,29 toilet in secondary school n.a. A.Kayduev in Ltd. Koochu, Tyup Raion, Issyk-Ku

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-18/3 Construction of Ai-Kol Kurulush 20.06.2014 20.10.2014 15 953,71 toilet in secondary school n.a. M.Tynaev in Ltd. Orgochor, Jeti-Oguz Raion, Issyk-Kul IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-19/1 Construction of Nuska Ltd. 19.06.2014 19.10.2014 11 984,94 toilet in secondary school n.a. S.Sadybakasov in Bash-Kuugandy, Jumgal Raion, Naryn IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-26 Construction of toilet Bem-As Ltd. 10.07.2014 10.10.2014 11 745,19 in secondary school named after I. Orozaliev in Ornok, Jumgal Raion, Naryn IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-19/3 Construction of Nuska Ltd. 21.06.2014 21.10.2014 12 718,96 toilet in secondary school named after K. Kerimaliev in Kyzyl-Tuu, At-Bashy Raion, Naryn

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-19/4 Construction of Nuska Ltd. 21.06.2014 21.10.2014 12 657,13 toilet in secondary school named after E. Meymanov in Kosh-Dobo, At-Bashy Raion, Naryn

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-20 Construction of toilet Nuska Ltd. 19.06.2014 19.10.2014 12 803,83 in secondary school named after E. Kapalov in Yntymak, Bakai-Ata Raion, Talas IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-27/1 Construction of Bem-As Ltd. 10.07.2014 10.10.2014 16 059,82 toilet in secondary school named after J. Toychubekov in Kyzyl-Kyrgyzstan, Bakai-Ata Raion, Talas IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014-27/2 Construction of Bem-As Ltd. 10.07.2014 10.10.2014 12 621,30 toilet in secondary school named after Nurbekov in Kum-Aryk, Talas Raion, Talas

Subtotal: 134 078,53 Grand total: 263 733,24

The project built and rehabilitated 40 reservoirs, 24 wells, installed new water towers and chlorination stations; supported replacement of old and economically inefficient pumps and electrical equipment with energy efficient installations manufactured by Grundfos and having 3- years warranty and service period; rehabilitated existing and built new reservoirs; built 2*700 m3 new reservoirs in Chelpek. In Kashat, 700 m3 reservoir has been rehabilitated. 50 m3 water tower has been built in Baltabay while 2*500 m2 reservoirs rehabilitated in Yntymak. In Tugol- Sai, 500 m3 reservoir has been rehabilitated.

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BORROWER ICR For instance, one of the project achievements and success is that 100% of water connections in Korumdu, Jele-Dobo and Baltabay have meters. Maintenance equipment Computers for CDWUU For improvement of CDWUU subscriber awareness and fee collection, in 2013-2014 ARIS procured and handed over to CDWUU 80 sets of computer equipment (PC, multifunctional devices, UPS devices) for introduction of billing system. All 80 CDWUU provided with equipment have been trained. The CDWUU chairpersons and accountants received training in introducing and operating the billing system. They noted that this system was very user- friendly and accessible to use. Personal safety apparel for water disinfection In order to ensure safe water supply and to assist in improving disinfection of water by chlorination, a need emerged to provide CDWUU with primary means of protection during chlorination process. So, 35 CDWUU have been provided with personal protection means such as overalls, gloves, caps, masks, goggles, rubber boots. In addition, each of 35 CDWUU received 50 kg of hypochloride for water disinfection. Computers and laboratory equipment for Department of Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance (SES – sanitary and epidemiological service) Technical assistance has been provided to SES by supplying computers and laboratory equipment in order to improve the SES capacity and performance in the water supply and sanitation sector. One of the areas for capacity building is support to improvement of Raion SES for water quality control and monitoring of parasitic diseases. For this purpose, ARIS developed a database with relevant software that will be placed on the Department’s Web-page. Also, to operate the database ARIS procured and handed over computer equipment to the Department. The list of equipment includes 30 sets of PC and office equipment (system block, monitor, multifunctional device, UPS) and a server for database. The database is introduced both for Central Department and its units in Bishkek and 13 target Raion services under RWSSP-2. All specialists from 13 Raion pilot SES received training in database and started introducing this system at the central and Raion level. Equipment for water tests has been procured for 13 pilot Raion SES laboratories for the total of 59 178 USD SES specialists have been trained locally to operate the equipment. Special machinery The Project provided special machinery for water supply systems operation including 7 diggers, 30 tricycles (motor scooters), 60 kits of equipment and tools and 60 generators for the total of USD 298 090. So, special machinery and equipment have been supplied to 63 CDWUU. Detailed designs, studies, preparation of bidding documents and technical supervision A contract with OJSC Design Institute “Kyrgyzgiprostroy” was signed on January 26, 2012 for preparation of detailed designs for procurement of construction works for rehabilitation of 26 problem subprojects in the villages of Issyk-Kul, Naryn and Talas Oblasts. Specialists of design institute inspected 26 these subprojects of Phase 1 in Issyk-Kul, Naryn and Talas. An agreement between ARIS and the Department of Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance was signed and cost estimates were prepared for laboratory tests of 16 potable water sources in 26 sub-projects.

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BORROWER ICR Because of high workload for the Design Institute detailed designs for some problem subprojects were delayed. ARIS engineers prepared cost estimates and excluded works tables for 13 problematic subprojects and sent to the Bank for review. During preparation of BoQ for four subprojects (Tort-Kul, Arashan, Kalba, Yntymak) modifications were introduced according to recommendations of the Bank’s consultants i.e. orifices were replaced by pressure reducing valves in the design. Also, pre-bid conference was held where the bidders had an opportunity to learn more details of bidding documents including materials and equipment to be applied for the works. Meetings held with AO and CDWUU representatives were devoted to water economy, loss reduction, replacement of street standpipes by household connections, installation of meters and proper operation of submersible well pumps; mitigation the risk of repeated bidding and singing of agreements between ARIS and Aiyl Okmotu. Prior to bidding advertisement and because of limited resources, upon additional review of market cost for works the design institute together with ARIS engineers prepared detailed design estimates and BoQs for completed 13 problematic subprojects. Modifications to specific types of works not requiring qualification / experience were introduced in detailed designs and BoQ for 13 problematic subprojects. In addition, agreements were prepared and signed between ARIS and AO for performing such works. The detailed designs approval procedure for 13 problematic subprojects brought to delay with advertisement of biddings for works. Designs of sanitation facilities were provided for construction as agreed with UNICEF. Meetings were held with ARIS engineers to discuss designs of sanitary facilities to be used under RWSSP-2. On February 28’2014, ARIS distributed requests to 36 AO covered by the Project whether they were interested in construction/rehabilitation of sanitation facilities at schools as part of RWSSP- 2. As of March 14, applications were received from 49 schools of 36 participating AO. Members of selection committee reviewed applications received from AO, documents of 49 schools, photographs of sanitation facilities status, letters of guarantee from AO on willingness to contribute 5% cofinancing and intention to increase financing for WSS, existence and operation of school parliaments and Parents’ Committees as well as sanitation and hygiene education plan for schools. In preparation of school in-door sanitation facilities rehabilitation designs, three engineering consultants were hired to prepare self-assessment forms for sanitation works in selected schools of Naryn, Talas and Issyk-Kul. The Consultants prepared BOQ, technical specifications and drawings. Standard-type schools with in-door sanitation facilities were selected from the three pilot Oblasts for rehabilitation. Based on applications received and in line with evaluation criteria, 10 schools were selected for construction of outdoor sanitation works and 8 schools for rehabilitation of in-door facilities (toilets and washstands). As a result, outdoor facilities were built at 10 schools and 8 schools had their in-door sanitation facilities rehabilitated. On-site technical supervision of subprojects was provided by ARIS supervisors and by AO technical supervisors while AO (Clients) kept continuous control over the quality of civil works. Author’s supervision of the sanitation works construction at 10 schools was delivered by the Contractor, Musai Ltd. who developed the detailed designs. 67

BORROWER ICR Training in technical supervision procedures has been delivered for RWSSP-2 infrastructure engineers and technical supervisors in order to increase their technical cpacity. The training has also been attended by BOUIP, VIP-2 and Debt Swap-2 engineers and technical officers, 37 participants in total. Resettlement Policy Surveys have been held in order to meet WB Resettlement Polict, in 10 villages, viz. Korumdu, Kashat, Koochu, Chelpek, Ak-Kochkor, Jele-Dobo, Baltabay, Uch-Emchek, Tugol-Sai, Tort- Kul, Kyzyl-Tuu, Ornok and Kalba. The survey identified 118 PAP. The amount of compensation payments to PAP made KGS 1 979 254. Below is the list of subprojects surveyed for RAP. List of subprojects surveyed for RAP

Contract No. / title Numbe Assets affected Compensati RAP status Further r of on, Som actions PAP RWSSP-2/W/NCB/IK5-2-09 14 Gardens, alfalfa, fruit trees (apple, 818 960 Approved Compensation Rehabilitation of RWS in apricot) by WB paid to PAP Korumdu IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011-3 8 Crop fields, beans, trefoil, barley, 26 100 Approved Compensation Rehabilitation of RWS in Uch- hay by WB paid to PAP Emchek IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011-6 8 Crop fields; alfalfa, garlic, potatoes, 142 925 Approved Compensation Rehabilitation of RWS in Jele- pea, raspberry. Trees: willow, by WB paid to PAP Dobo poplars, apple trees IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011-5 14 Land parcels in the village, trees 275 698 Approved Compensation Rehabilitation of RWS in Ak- (willow, poplars, Siberian elm), by WB paid to PAP Kochkor apricot IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011-7 41 Land parcels with trees (willow and 521 985 Approved Compensation Rehabilitation of RWS in Baltabai poplar) by WB paid to PAP

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011-4 16 Land parcels with trees (willow and 105 005 Approved Compensation Rehabilitation of RWS in Tugol- poplar, Siberian elm); fences of by WB paid to PAP Sai sun-dried bricks IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011-8 1 Land parcel with willow trees 1 800 Approved Compensation Rehabilitation of RWS in Koochu by WB paid to PAP

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2011-2 5 Land parcels with trees (willow and 10 255 Approved Compensation Rehabilitation of RWS in Chelpek poplar) by WB paid to PAP

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—15 7 Hay fields 15 600 Approved Compensation Rehabilitation of RWS in by WB paid to PAP Kazybek, Kyzyl-Tuu, Kara-Bulun IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—16 1 Hay field 48 660 Approved Compensation Rehabilitation of RWS in Ornok by WB paid to PAP

IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—6 1 Alfalfa 12 000 Approved Compensation Rehabilitation of RWS in by WB paid to PAP Ogonbaev, Kalba, Chyiyrchyk IDA-RWSSP-CW-2014—7 2 Alfalfa and wheat 266 Approved Compensation Rehabilitation of RWS in Tort- by WB paid to PAP Kul and Tuura-Suu Total 118 1 979 254

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Environmental management Monitoring of environmental activities has been held during subprojects implementation on a regular basis viz. impact on land, surface/ground waters, air. Necessary impact mitigation measures have been taken: construction sites brought to proper conditions by cleaning up from wastes, installing garbage bins and toilets. Special areas have been arranged for construction machinery. Environmental preservation checklist has been developed and included activities and requirements to contractors for avoiding, mitigating and diminishing adverse environmental impact during the subprojects implementation. Operational safety Monitoring of operational safety measures showed that fire safety was secured in due manner. Operational safety instruction logs were available at the construction sites. Workers had special protective clothes, boots, helmets and gloves. There were also first-aid kits available at the sites. The sites have been kept clean and safe conditions in order to avoid incidents. Component В. Program on sanitary and hygiene education Agreement for implementation of this component has been signed between ARIS and UNICEF on June 17, 2013. Activities have been completed under this component for pilot villages at the community and school level. The entire work in the pilot communities has been aimed to social mobilization in order to involve people in improvement of sanitation and hygiene practices at the school/household level. Establishing stakeholders and their involvement in the Project  Establishing of stakeholders was at both Oblast and local level. For Oblast level, it included workshops in the capitals of three pilot Oblasts. Participants were represented by Raion governors / officials, education departments, Raion Family Practitioners centers, Raion SES, heads of AO from pilot areas, managers of Raion CDWUU associations and Raion health committees. The workshops adopted a resolution to support the Project activities.  At the local level, meetings have been held in the pilot villages inviting community members, partners from NGO and government authorities, RHC, CDWUU, rural clinics, Aiyl Kenesh members Aiyl Okrug members being 2156 people altogether including 1100 men and 1056 women. Sanitation and hygiene promotion in communities Sanitation and hygiene have been promoted in the communities by training of community members in PHAST method and training of students using UNICEF methodology for WASH in Schools. Community training has been delivered in two stages. Stage 1 covered VHC members during two-day training by PHAST method, 556 VHC members in total represented by 427 women and 129 men from 55 pilot villages. During second stage the VHC trained members of all households in pilot villages. 30101 participants have been trained in total. Training of students in sanitation and hygiene by UNICEF methodology for WASH In Schools. The first stage trained two teachers from each school as trainers – 87 women and 23 men making 110 trainees altogether. 69

BORROWER ICR Facilitating trainers, in turn, trained teachers of primary classes and classroom teachers in their respective schools covering 1 957 trainees in total represented by 414 men and 1543 women. Extra-curricular activities have been held in each class of 1st to 11th grades covering all students of schools. For extra-curricular classes, each school has been provided with 5 to 10 manuals “WASH in schools” developed by UNICEF. For higher efficiency of classes and developing proper hygienic behavior, UNICEF handed over a hand-washing demonstration kit GloGerm. Social mobilization in pilot communities Social mobilization in pilot villages has been carried out in various ways such as:  Community meetings in the beginning and upon completion of the project in each of pilot villages. As a result, stakeholders were established at the village level.  Exchange visits between villages. o In Issyk-Kul, exchange visit took place on March 5’2014 in secondary school named after K.Tailakov, Tuura-Suu village of Ton Raion. It invited heads of Aiyl Okmotu, Aiyl Kenesh members, school management, CDWUU, parents’ committees and VHC from pilot villages hosting 110 participants including 55 women. The visit showed that it could be possible to maintain school toilets in proper condition and ensure access to water for students. o Naryn. Exchange visit dedicated to World Water Day took place on March 22’2014 in Kazybek village (At-Bashy Raion) and on March 23’2014 in Bash- Kuugandy village, Jumgal Raion. Exchange visits included around 100 participants. o Talas. Exchange visit between villages has been held on March 27’2014 and dedicated to World Water Day. This event took place in community club of Kum-Aryk village, Talas Raion. Around 160 villagers participated in the visit including government officials from Bakai-Ata, Talas and Kara-Buura raions, Aiyl Okrug, school management/teachers, CDWUU, VHC and parents committees etc. The participants shared their experiences of social mobilization, PHAST training in their villages and overcoming the emerging difficulties etc. almost all schools presented their wall newspapers, contests of paintings/essays, design sketches of school and household toilets etc.  Parents’ conferences proved to be efficient means of outreach activity. They discussed the importance of S&H for child health, sanitation and hygiene status in schools, personal hygiene rules, frequency of changing underwear and bedclothes for a child treated oxyuricide, mobilization of local resources to ensure adequate financing of O&M costs for WASH facilities. Many parents began realizing the need for financial support to schools for maintaining the WASJ infrastructure.  Working with school parliaments. Each school’s parliament has been invoked to introduce WASH principles. This included revival of sanitary assistants elected out of students. Jointly with parliaments the sanitary assistants organized contests for “Most Clean Classroom”, monitored the appearances and tidiness of students/classrooms, held Saturday cleaning days around schools, contests of paintings, essays and newspapers devoted to “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene”. Results of contests have been summarized and highlighted at school lineups.  Raion-level round tables for discussion of O&M costs for WASH facilities of schools. In Issyk-Kul Oblast, round tables took place on April 1’2014 in Karakol and on April 2’2014 in Balykchy; Naryn: April 3-4 in Kochkor and Naryn, respectively. Meetings in 70

BORROWER ICR Talas have been held on April 15 for Talas and Bakai-Ata Raions, April 16 – in Kara- Buura Raion. Representatives from Raion governments, education departments, SES, Family Practitioners Centers, Aiyl Okmotu, school management, CDWUU, VHC, HPC, RHC and other stakeholders took part in these events. The participants have been provided with data on standard rates and actual O&M costs for WASH both in-kind and cash.  Village-level round tables. Round tables have been organized with the support from Aiyl Okmotu of respective Raions and attended by school management, CDWUU, VHC, parents committees, school parliaments and other stakeholders. Participants have been informed of maintenance costs for sanitation facilities, hygienic needs (soap, toilet paper) per student per year and expense rates for health aids. Awareness campaign Awareness campaign has been implemented through celebration of World Water Day, release of promotional and propaganda leaflets/videos, creation of Webpage, general school/classroom stands with visual information, performance by famous singers and amateur performances by people from pilot villages.  World Water Day. Activities devoted to World Water Day have been implemented in all pilot villages. These events involved parents committees, WASH committees, VHC and CDWUU. Activities included general school lineups, “homerooms”, “Clubs of the Funny and Inventive”, performances, contests of wall newspapers, handicrafts, sayings/proverbs, quizzes, contests “AkyyaAitysh” and “Sarmerden”. Note on the special role of local self-governance body in Orgochor Village (Jeti-Oghuz Raion, Issyk-Kul) that allocated funds for awarding the village health committee with prize money of 5000 Som for contribution to successful implementation of local project activities and 300 Som to five students and during spring vacation the winners of the contest for “Most clean classroom” have been taken to Karakol to visit the museum and memorial complex named after Nikolai Przhevalskiy. During each activity members of Health Promotion Association awarded sports accessories to each of the schools as recognition gifts. The World Water Day’s celebration coincided with exchange visit accompanied by performance of improvising Akyn (story-tellers) and Komuz players Aaly Tutkuchev and Altynbek Akelov. AHP made presentations of the project progress followed by reports of invited Raion deputy governors, directors of VHC, CDWUU, schools and members of parents committees. This event made good effect leaving positive emotions in the hearts of the participants.  3 videos produced and broadcasted over national and Oblast TV: “Always wash hands”, “School toilets as seen by children” and animated graphics.  Three types of posters produced and devoted to solicitous attitude to water, proper sanitation and hygiene at the household level and the importance of washing hands with soap. Posters have been distributed to all pilot communities and displayed in schools, VHC and other public places.  20 000 copies of a comic book for children “Let’s keep it clean” have been distributed to all schools for reading by junior students.  Web-page on basic health principles developed.  General school/classroom health points established in every school. Deworming

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BORROWER ICR Laboratory tests of 25 students (1-4 grades) from each school have been taken twice under Component B. The first testing revealed 211 children of which 209 were treated. 1 child from Ak-Olon village was not treated due to moving to Balykchy. Treatment costs have been paid by parents, with Piperazine, Albendazol and Mebendazole medicines. All contacted persons (parents and members of infested childrens’ households) have been sent to Raion SES for medical survey. In Naryn, one child was not found because of wrong personal data provided. 68 child infestation cases have been revealed during second test. Specialists of rural clinics prescribed treatment for those children. In addition, meetings have been held with their parents to explain the need for repeated treatment. Comprehensive analysis of needs and annual costs for consumables and services required for routine and limited extraordinary maintenance of proposed water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools and health points The analysis has been made on the basis of data obtained from schools in RWSSP-2 pilot villages, Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), Ministry of Health and its local units and from municipalities. The needs/costs analysis of consumables and services has not been carried out for health points due to the decision not to construct sanitation facilities therein. According to MoES, in 2013 within the standard budgetary financing, the average expenses in rural schools consisted of 6.2 Som per student per year. Since actual percentage allocation of these expenses in 2013 was estimated at 62.7% of this budget, the actual average expenses in rural schools totalled to 3.89 Som per student per year. Based on data obtained from schools actual O&M costs for WASH facilities have been estimated. In the pilots schools of Talas Oblast, 27.5 Som per student per year have been spent for operation and maintenance of WASH infrastructure on average. For comparative analysis, similar information has been requested from one the private schools in Bishkek according to which the school spends 196.6 Som per student per year. According to the Russian Federation’s sanitary standards, average annual expenses for household goods, disinfectants and health goods as converted to Kyrgyz Som, were 287 Som per student per year. Thus, estimated need in cash for purchase of household goods, cleaning / disinfectant agents and hygiene items per student per month (current local market prices) is 23.5 Som (using liquid soap) and 28.7 Som (solid soap). With nine academic months the amount needed was 211.5 Som and 258 Som for whole year of 2013, respectively. These data correlate with and are validated by actual expenditures of the secondary school in Tuura-Suu Village, Ton Raion, Issyk-Kul. Establishing institutional framework for sustainability of WASH infrastructure at schools  Establishment of WASH committees composed of school management, parents committees, VHC, CDWUU, Aiyl Okmotu, school parliament and local Kenesh members. Objectives of WASH committees were to assist management of schools in identifying and planning resources for financing O&M costs of WASH facilities; implementing activities for changing the hygienic behavior of students; monitoring of WASG facilities status at schools etc. Many WASH committees, in conjunction with parents committees, undertook to organize supplies of soap and paper towels and schedules of procuring hygiene items.  Approval of Standard Operational procedures (SOP) for O&M of sanitation and hygiene facilities in each school from pilot villages. SOP are meant for supervision of proper operation and maintenance of toilets, hand-washing facilities and garbage bins. They have been approved by headmasters of schools and countersigned by each person in charge of sanitation facilities. SOP are displayed by relevant sanitation facilities in schools and/or offices of respective persons in charge. 72

BORROWER ICR  Memoranda of cooperation have been signed for maintaining adequate level of school sanitation and hygiene between schools, Aiyl Okmotu, CDWUU, VHC and parents committees. They are aimed to ensure better cooperation and coordination in the sphere of S&H education, sustainability of WASH facilities operation, increased public awareness of S&H practices both in schools and among community members. Water connections have been built in 9 schools and 144 wash-stand installed over the project period as part of the Healthy Nutrition Program.

Total Of these, Toilets Wash-stands Began Use boiled Arranged Oblast households trained HH improved upgraded using soap water garbage pits

Issyk-Kul 6550 85 7 16 44 16 3 Naryn 5578 84 26 30 34 86 34 Talas 8806 79 3 15 34 32 4 Total 20934 248 36 61 112 134 41

Activities in villages Cleaning days have been held in schools to remove garbage, clean ditches up and other works including installation of garbage bins. In Orgochor, 20 garbage bins have been installed with support from Aiyl Okmotu and local Kenesh. In Jele-Dobo, the VHC extended its membership. Nine households had ventilation conduits installed in toilets as a result of training. A wash-stand, liquid soap, paper napkins and toilet paper have been procured by the school in sufficient quantities. Four wash sinks have been rehabilitated in the dining room and self-made tanks for water boiling are in place and connected to wash sinks. Carbon boxes are available for waste paper collection. In the school named after B.Ismailov, parents installed 7 wash-stands in classrooms, purchased 11 waste buckets, liquid soap, paper napkins and toilet paper. Self- made rolls are installed in the toilets. In Ak-Kochkor Village, water pipeline has been connected at the school years and standpipe installed. The schools in Orgochor and Tort-Kule villages procured thermo pots and one-use plastic cups. In Burma-Suu, children carry potable water in plastic bottles. The intention is to connect the school local water supply system. In addition, it is worth noting on positive impact on schools not covered by the Project. In the secondary school named after Imanov in Jeti-Oghuz Village, parents of students installed wash- stands and garbage buckets in 9 classrooms and procured liquid soap, paper napkins and toilet paper. Ornok. Through support from Aiyl Okmotu and parents, all classrooms are provided with wash- stands; construction of sports complex with shower and water connection is in progress. 13 additional wash-stands have been supplied in total. In Atai Ogonbaev school, the dining and cooking rooms are connected to water supply system. Four wash-stands have been installed at the entrance to dining room while waste water is disposed to a septic tank. In Yntymak, the school has been connected to water supply and wash-stands installed. Also, water boiling tank has been installed.

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BORROWER ICR Potable water supply, wash-stands and towels for primary classes has been introduced in the school of Kopuro-Bazar Village. The WASH committee ensures also supply of soap and paper napkins. Component С. Institutional capacity building The principle objective if Component “Institutional capacity building” is to build the capacity of institutional framework and capacity for sustainable development of water supply and sanitation sector. To achieve the objective, the component includes the following goals and activities:  Support development of the Water Supply, Water Disposal and Sanitation Sector Strategy of the Kyrgyz Republic;  Review legislation in the field of water supply and water disposal;  Create database and GIS interface;  Develop national financial model for water supply and water disposal development;  Advisory support of chlorination in disinfection of potable water;  Review technical norms and standards in the field of water supply and sanitation;  Build the capacity of LSG bodies and CDWUUs in managing and maintaining water supply systems to provide population with high quality potable water supply to population. Support of development of the Water Supply, Water Disposal and Sanitation Sector Strategy of the Kyrgyz Republic 1 June 2012, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic issued an Order No 239-p “On establishment of an Interagency Working Group on development of a Program (Strategy) for development of water supply and water disposal in residential areas in the Kyrgyz Republic”. To assist to the Working Group, a draft action plan was prepared for development of the Program together with a preliminary structure and list of matters that might be included in the draft Program as well as proposals on methodology and approaches to Program development. To discuss and produce proposals to be included in the draft Sector Development Program, round tables were arranged in the regions with participation of stakeholders- LSG bodies, CDWUUs and NGOs from all oblasts. Following the round tables, proposals were collected and sent for review by the Interagency Strategy Development Working Group.

In the purpose of development of the Draft State Program for development of water supply and water disposal in residential areas in the Kyrgyz Republic 2014-2024, a consultant was selected who produced the Draft Program based on review and analysis of documents and incorporating the results of workshops, meetings and consultations with the representatives of stakeholders. Draft State Program for development of water supply and water disposal in residential areas in the Kyrgyz Republic 2014-2024, produced with the Project’s support, was approved by the Decreed Government of the Kyrgyz Republic dated 24 September 2014 and sent for the Parliament’s consideration. Review of legislation in water supply and water disposal sector To support implementation of the State WSWD Sector Development Program, the Project envisaged review and analysis of the current legislation regulating the sector. In this regard, a Local consultant was selected. Following analysis of legislation for potable water supply, the Consultant identified discrepancies, gaps and deficiencies in regulations. In review and analysis of legislation, a number of meetings and discussions with DWSWD and member of the Working Group, whereupon recommendations on improvement of legislation for potable water 74

BORROWER ICR supply were provided for more effective implementation of the State Program for development of water supply and water disposal in residential areas. Final report, based on legislation review, incorporating recommendations on harmonization of regulations in the sector, was sent for review to the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, particularly to the SAAC and DWSWD. With adaption of the State WSWD Sector Development Program, the activity on revision and development of new regulations mentioned in the report started. Development of sector database and GIS interface International Consultant for development of the State WSWD Sector Development strategy provided indicators of sector performance and service quality as well as a questionnaire for data collection and the guidelines for filling the questionnaire. The indicator and questionnaire were discussed and agreed with DWSWD and Working Group. In compliance with the recommendations provided by the Review Mission of the World Bank, a decision was made to hire a consulting firm for collection of data, creation of database and GIS interface. In total, 817 were collected. All of them were entered in the database. The Consultant also developed software of the database: module for entering and displaying data through web-interface, desktop application for data entering and GIS interface for cartographical displaying of data. Besides, an addendum to the Contract signed with the consultant for development of similar database for the Department for disease prevention and sanitary and epidemiological supervision was drafted and signed in the purpose of supervision and monitoring of parasitic diseases and water quality. Therefore, two databases and GIS interface for DWSWD and SES were developed and introduced under the project. Development of national financial model for WSWD sector development To develop financial model for WSWD sector development, tender was conducted and contract signed with international consultant company “Aspiro”. The Consultant collected information and assessed the current situation, developed an investment plan based on the working financial model. This financial model will serve as an objective, transparent and updatable tool to get a plan for investment to the sector that will ensure a basis for investment in 5 and 10-year cycles (and further) of development planning as well as of annual budgeting. The model also reflects conclusions and discrepancies between the hands-on experience and the consequences caused by a certain service provisioning investment strategy. Therefore, the model serves as a prompt message to make real the improvements and upgrades in the sector in the process of implementation at state, oblast, and raion levels. Sector investment plan combined with the investment model may enable the water supply sector of the Kyrgyz Republic to analyze financial consequences upon achievement of targets set forth in the current and future strategies. Besides, there is an opportunity to get a feasible tool for monitoring to compare the objectives with achievements in various subsectors and oblasts. Additionally, the model may ensure the ways of mitigation of discrepancies in allocation of funds between subsectors and categories of population (i.e. between water supply and sanitation, or between city and village) to extend cooperation within the sector. This financial model was provided to DWSWD accompanied with training of its staff in use of the financial model. Advisory support in chlorination for disinfection of potable water To provide proposals on improvement of water quality situation and on building the capacity of CDWUUs in disinfection, a contract was signed with an international consultant. The International Consultant assessed the current situation and technological solutions and produced a report and guidelines for chlorination. In Quarter II, 2014, a presentation of the report was held with participation of key stakeholders, LSG bodies, and CDWUUs. The presentation introduced the participants in issues identified, recommendations on improvement 75

BORROWER ICR of situation, optimization of technological solutions, construction/installation and operation of structures and equipment for disinfection of potable water. The consultant also conducted training of trainers who, in their turn, started training of CDWUU in chlorination. Review of technical standards (SNIPs) in water supply and water disposal Tender was conducted and contract was signed with an international company that reviewed the current norms and technical standards in the field of WSWD. Based on the analysis, a report was produced with recommendations on optimization of technical standards. In preparation of the report, consideration was given to the results of meetings with stakeholders, field-specific state bodies, design institutes and experts. The report was cycled among all stakeholders, following which a round table was arranged for discussion and feedback. By the end of the project, a final report was produced, incorporating the results of round tables and all comments and proposals received. The report was sent for consideration to SAAC and DWSWD. LSGB and CDWUU capacity building

Agreements Standard agreement between AOs and CDWUUs was drafted for provisioning of rural water supply services. Cooperation agreements for provisioning of rural water supply services were signed between AOs and CDWUUS.

Exchange visits Example of effective management of water supply system and development of CDWUU is Chyrak, Korumdu, Orgochor, Baltabai and Jele-Dobo in Issykkul Oblast. Virtually each household has electronic water meters and water heaters installed. In order to spread successful experience, exchange visits to Issykkul Oblast were arranged for all ARIS oblast specialists, LSGB representatives and region CDWUUs. The participants of the exchange visit were shown subprojects in Korumdu, Temirovka, Orgochor, Baltabai and Chyrak villages. During the exchange visit, the participants were able to ask questions to AO head, CDWUU chairpersons, technical supervision engineers and other project specialists. Following the exchange visit round tables with participation of deputies of local keneshes, LSGBs, CDWUU administration bodies, NGOs were arranged at aiyl aimak level to discuss the mechanisms of effective management of water supply system and the improvement of relations with consumers in collection of tariffs for use of water etc. TO exchange experience and practice that will be useful in CDWUU capacity building and in indicating mechanisms of improvement of water use tariff collection process, exchange visits for local AK deputies, AO heads and CDWUUs should be arranged. Experience in conduction of exchange visits shows high efficiency, particularly in terms of introduction of new approaches (individual connections through water meters), setting the system of registering of consumers and accounting of water supply.

Training ARIS specialists conducted assessment of CDWUU staff needs in training and capacity building. The International Consultant for development of the WSWD Sector Strategy proposed training materials and tools for business planning in water utilities and investment management. These materials and training modules earlier developed by local consultant as well as training needs assessment have been provided by a selected consulting company that in its turn adopted those and adjusted for more effective training of CDWUU and LSGBs. At the beginning of implementation of the program, tender was conducted, 6 trainer- consultants were selected (2 trainers for each oblast) to train LSGBs, CDWUUs and regional employees of DWSWD. Two-day trainings were also conducted based on training modules 76

BORROWER ICR developed earlier. Total 21 trainings were conducted in three oblasts. 578 people were trained in those trainings. The training covered 159 CDWUUs of the first and second RWSSP phases.

Participants Naryn Talas Issyk-Kul Total

CDWUU chairpersons 55 38 66 159 CDWUU accountants 49 34 63 146 CDWUU carpenters 53 33 69 155 DWSWD chairpersons 2 1 2 5 Chairpersons of raion state 1 1 administration АО chairpersons 42 26 44 112 Total 202 132 244 578

In Issykkul Oblast, Chyrak Village, trainings were arranged for the participants from Jety- Oguz, Aksuu and Tyup Raions. During these trainings, exchange visits for participating CDWUUs were arranged. Following the trainings, LSGBs and CDWUUs started reconsidering tariffs with use of a new methodology for tariff calculation. It is noteworthy that deputies of local keneshes, who subsequently shared information with their colleagues, emphasizing water supply issues. For instance, following training of two deputies, Ak-Myun aiyl kenesh (Naryn Oblast) decided to allocated KGS 50,000 for development of two CDWUUS of subordinate area. In Aral aiyl kenesh in Issykkul Oblast, during public hearings, all three CDWUUs of this aimak managed to justify their grounds, including those regarding tariff calculation, on the necessity to finance budget organizations; this matter was addressed positively. After training, representatives of CDWUU of Issykkul Raion raised the initiative and visited Chyrak Village, Jety-Oguz Raion for exchange of experience and best practices. In line with recommendations provided by a WB Supervision mission, in the purpose of improvement of further activities on building the capacity of LSGBs and CDWUUs, a decision was made to hire a consulting firm to conduct trainings and training activities. Terms of reference was prepared for selection of company and agreed with the World Bank. Training was conducted and company (“Public analysis institute” NGO) was hired. Local consultant conducted additional assessment of the needs of each 37 CDWUUs and LSGBs. To conduct training, 2 training modules were produced. The training modules consist of two-day trainings in administrative and financial management of CDWUUs and in relations with consumers as well as two day training in water supply, engineering, water disinfection and sanitation. Under these modules, presentations, prior and post tests in water supply and water disinfection were produced. Based on the produced training modules, trainings were conducted for CDWUU and LSGB staff, deputies of local keneshes and village activists in all 37 municipalities. Besides, with the ARI efforts, an additional three-day training was conducted in Issyk-Kul with participation of LSGB heads, CDWUU chairpersons and accountants in all 37 municipalities. In this training, CDWUU accountants and operators underwent training in accounting and operation of billing system. The project also prepares vide lessons in key topics of training modules that will be recorded on electronic media and sent to CDWUU.

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BORROWER ICR Practical work with CDWUUS

Work was conducted on improvement of CDWUUs by LSGBs in tariff collection, in payment for water consumption by social institutions, in ensuring the safety of street stand pipes and other water supply structures. Institutional development specialist of Naryn Oblast assisted to CDWUU Borondu-Murok, Ak- Muz Village, Naryn Oblast in development of business plan taking into consideration technical condition of water supply system and financial support of LSGBs. Based on this plan, a standard for of business plan for CDWUU was developed. Round-table discussion was conducted in Kashat Village in topic “Provisioning of potable water to Kashat Village: outcome of construction of WSS and matters of further operation”. The round table involved 32 people, including an Authorized representative of KR government in Issykkul Oblast, NGO representatives, chairpersons of other CDWUUs, representatives of raion state administration, aiyl okmotu, deputies of aiyl keneshes, SES and public members.

Following the round table discussion, a decision was as follows: 1. Accept that the works under the subproject have been commissioned according to the current legislation. 2. Raise population’s awareness on the necessity of attitude of care towards water supply system; necessity to pay for potable water supply; necessity to use water efficiently; sign agreements with consumers on provisioning of water supply. 3. Within 10 days, AIyo lomotu head and CDWWUU should develop tariff and approve it at the session of aiyl kenesh within one month. 4. Taking into consideration the complexity of the situation, AO head should undertake crisis management in CDWUU activity for three months.

Introduction of billing system

To improve CDWUU activity on counting consumers and improvement of tariff collection, ARIS procured and transferred to CDWUUs 60 sets of office equipment (computer, printer, stabilizer) in 2013 and 20 sets in 2014. All 80 CDWUUs having obtained equipment underwent training in operating billing program and started introducing this system. The billing system enabled CDWUU to improve work with consumers and enhance the level of tariff collectability.

Competition among students To raise population’s awareness of the necessity of attitude of care towards water supply structures and tariff collection, guided tours to water supply facilities were arranged for students in 11 villages. The students established groups on ensuring the safety of stand pipes. Aiyl okmotu and CDWUUs conduct competition among these groups for best maintenance of these stand pipes as well as for best essay on the topic of provisioning of potable water to population. For instance, in Uch-Emchek Village a competition was arranged among students on topic “Water is a source of life”. 16 May 2013, during a press tour, with participation of mass media, to Uch-Emchek Village, where winners were awarded. Prior to writing of essay, a guided tour to water supply facilities had been organized for students by CDWUU staff. Based on the results of competition, the committee nominated four students. They were awarded with valuable prizes and certificates of honor. Similar competition for best essay and guided tour to water supply facilities were arranged for students in Tugol-Sai Village, Naryn Oblast. A guided tour was also organized for students in Kopuro-Bazar Village. The main purpose of this guided tour was to familiarize the students with subproject “Rehabilitation of water supply system in Kopuro-Bazar Village”. After familiarization with the subproject, volunteer cleaning of the site was carried out with active participation of CDWUU staff, teachers and students. 78

BORROWER ICR Competition among LSGBs and CDWUU

On 25 December 2012, a competition was organized among local self-government bodies (LSGBs) and community drinking water users unions (CDWUUs). It aimed to improve the outcome of the activity on provisioning of potable water supply to population and strengthening the responsibility of LSGBs and CDWUUs. To organize the competition, the ARIS staff produced the following documents:  Request for submission of proposals, where competition terms and procedures are described  Standard form of Action plan for improvement of activity outcome for CDWUUs and the guidelines for development of the Plan. Participants having followed competition terms and requirements would get equipment for operation and maintenance of water supply systems. The list of equipment was earlier produced and approved by the World Bank.

In total 131 applications were submitted from LSGBs and CDWUUs:  Issykkul Oblast – 57 applications  Naryn Oblast – 45 applications  Talas Oblast – 29 applications

Oblast ARIS institutional development specialists on-site verified documents and indicators given in the applications and conducted consultations with CDWUUS for monitoring and supervision of accomplishment and actual availability of documents and indicators specified in Action plans. Aiyl aimaks (AAs) and CDWUUs having won in the competition and fulfilled the terms of the completion were awarded with 7 excavators, 30 motor scooters (trycicles) and 60 sets of equipment and tools for operation and maintenance of water supply systems.

Awareness campaign

To carry out awareness campaign under the Second Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project, an assessment of needs of target groups was in obtaining the information about the project was conducted. Preliminary analytical work showed that unsatisfactory implementation of project “Taza-Suu” by previous implementers (before transferring the project to ARIS) had an adverse impact. Public opinion on the activity in water supply and water disposal sector in general, and particularly the activity under Taza-Suu project, had been extremely negative (undue expectations, poor quality of construction works under subprojects selected earlier). Local consultant for awareness campaign organized the following activities:  6 press-tours  4 TV programs  14 video clips  12 radio stories  10 radio programs  58 materials published in internet issues  26 articles published in printed mass media  Informal meeting organized and conducted of media representatives of the Kyrgyz Republic with the staff of “Second Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project”  Competition documents (information products) produced; applications collected from applicants for competition among mass media announced under RWSSP2. In total, 14 mass media companies expressed their will to participate in this competition. 79

BORROWER ICR  To promote among population the necessity of attitude of care to water resources, 3 video clips were produced, highlighting the water supply sector issue. o First video clip – “Presence of a problem in water supply sector” o Second video clip – “Household connection to water supply systems” o Third video clip – “attitude of care to water sources”  Rental of all three video clips on TV channels OTRK and ElTR, oblast TV (Issyk-Kul, Naryn, Talas) was organized periodically from 2013-2014. Under the awareness raising campaign, a meeting of RWSSP-3 management with media representatives was organized. The participants had a straight talk about the progress of the project and issues in the sector. Following the meeting, the participants noted the necessity to visit regions and familiarize with the situation on-site. 6 press tours were arranged and conducted with participation of leading mass media of the Kyrgyz Republic (12-18 people for each press-tour) to pilot water supply facilities in three oblasts: Yssykkul, Naryn, Talas. The visits helped in forming a pull of media representatives. The latter, in their turn, possess comprehensive information about issues and positive trends in water supply sector. Due to considerable outcome of project staff activity and smoothly running cooperation with media, the Water Supply and Water Disposal Development Strategy was introduced as a separate section in the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Kyrgyz Republic 2013-2017. Competition among mass media In order to attract the journalists of electronic, tele-radio and printed media of the Kyrgyz Republic for broader highlighting of implementation of certain aspects of RWSSP-2 activity, 28 June 2013, competition was organized among the journalists of electronic, tele-radio and printed media of the Kyrgyz Republic for broader highlighting of the matters regarding provisioning of potable water supply to population and the matters of promotion of sanitation and hygiene practice. The competition resulted in forming an information field enabling to attract public attention to the matters of provisioning of access to potable water supply, sanitation facilities as well as to inculcation of hygiene skills. Under organization of the competition among mass media, competition documents (information products) produced; applications collected from applicants for competition among mass media. 14 mass media companies expressed a will to participate in the competition. 21 June 2013, a meeting of the judges of competition took place followed by counting of votes of the judges. Winners were selected under 4 nominations: TV, radio, printed, internet- publication. Following the competition in nomination “Television”:  First place awarded to producer of Ala-Too studio, Naryn Idinov.  Second place awarded to journalist of newsroom ElTR, Jaksylyk Matanov.  Third place awarded to journalist of national branch of ITRC “Mir”, Stanislav Kasianov.  Following the competition in nomination “Radio”:  First place awarded to observer, presenter of programs “Kundun temasy”, “Birinchi radio”, Taalaigul Chabdarova.  Second place awarded to journalist of newsroom “Kabarlar”, “Birinchi radio”, Nurbek Borkoshev. 80

BORROWER ICR Following the competition in nomination “Printed media”:  First place shared between economic observer of newspaper “Slovo Kyrgyzstana”, Galina Luneva and correspondent of newspaper “Kyrgyz Tuusu”, Jypar Isabaeva.  Third place awarded to economic observer of newspaper “Finansist”, Daria Sytenkova. Following the competition in nomination “Internet publications”:  First place awarded to correspondent of IA K-news, Yuliya Diveeva.  Second place awarded to correspondent of IA Vesti.kg, Aida Tokoeva.

Component D. Project Management This component supported overall Project management carried out by the Community Development and Investment Agency (ARIS) through financing of:  Provisioning of services of independent experts for assistance in developing subprojects under components;  Creation and maintaining the system of monitoring and evaluation of project effectiveness and outcome;  Operational expenses of ARIS Project Management Unit;  Annual audit of project accounts. In the purpose of effective project implementation, due attention was paid to selection of staff for project management unit (PIU). All PIU specialists were provided with required computer equipment and office equipment, furniture and other equipment that was procured in line with procurement procedures of the World Bank. As co-financing, the government of the Kyrgyz Republic allocated a building for ARIS. Under operational project support, impact assessment activities were carried out to define the indicators of accessibility, quality, and satisfaction of rural population with water supply services. Find more details in Table No. 1.

Table 1 Data on survey carried out

Purpose of monitoring and evaluation Type of survey Results Assessment of impact in 25 project and Questionnaire survey – 888 20.06.2014 – 25 non-project villages. “Rebikon” Ltd households 31.10.2014 Expert interview – 50 specialists (final report Focus groups - 12 dubmitted

In compliance with the World Bank requirements, audit of financial statements was carried out; the results thereof were sent to the World Bank and reviewed at the meeting of the ARIS Supervisory Board. Results achieved in the field of material investments: a) Activities carried out under the project, construction, reconstruction of water intake facilities, replacement of outdated pumps with the pumps with higher water pressure and efficiency,

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BORROWER ICR partial reconstruction of water supply network enabled to increase the volume of water supply, improve the access and quality of CDWUU services. b) Rehabilitation and construction of chlorination stations, pumping station enabled to improve the quality and disinfection of potable water. c) Improve efficiency of activity of communal utilities, replacement of outdated pumps with less energy-consuming ones with higher efficiency and with high protection level (s levels of protection) and 3-year guarantee maintenance. This all enables to extend the operating life of pumps from 10 to 15 years, resulting in reduction of electricity costs. d) Level of satisfaction of population with potable water increased: water supply volumes increased in all villages covered by the project. e) In certain villages, rehabilitation of water supply system gave an opportunity to supply water to the raions, where rehabilitation works had not been carried out. In all villages, rehabilitation of water supply system significantly improved pressure of water supplied, which allowed to connect houses to pipeline and install washing machines, shower cabinets and water heaters..

Results achieved in institutional development Project impact was aimed to improvement of management system and population servicing. To improve institutional development, the following activities were carried out under the project: a) Trainings and seminars for the staff of CDWUU and Department of Potable Water Supply and Water Disposal to strengthen the capacity of staff, particularly in installation and maintenance of billing system. It is not only technical investments that are important for institutional development but also improved management, including financial management.

C. Project disbursements

Project disbursement under the project in the period of project implementation from 2009 to 31 October 2014 amounted to 13 490 147,81. (see detailed table in annex No.3).

Government of Kyrgyz Republiuc ARIS: Second Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project Credit # 456KG; Grant # H462KG Uses of Funds by Component and Expenditure Type For period 1/1/2011 - 11/28/2014 (in USD)

Project Components Actual A. Water Supply Infractructure and Equipment 10 563 425,13 А.1. Civil Works for Water Supply Infrastructure 10 092 573,77 A.2. Maintenance Equipment 244 956,71 A.3. Detailed Design, Studies 116 176,04 A.4. Technical Supervision 109 718,60 A.5. Retroactive financing (Works) B. Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion 279 572,94 Hygiene and Sanitation Education Program 5 154,83 82

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Works on the sanitary facilities 274 418,11 C. Institutional Development 226 706,76 С.1 Analytical Work on Sector Strategy 164 411,09 C.2 Analytical work on Legislation and Linkages with LSG C.3 Training of DRWS and CDWUUs 40 265,99 C.4 Development of Consolidated Rural Water Access 22 029,68 D. Project Management 1 050 923,27 D.1 Equipment and Vehicles 28 365,78 D.2 Salaries and retributions 538 597,78 D.3 Community mobilization D.4 Monitoring and Evaluation 20 931,13 D.5 Audit 46 243,40 D.6 Operational Costs 350 818,15 D.7 Training 65 967,03 Expenditure on bank fees 1 361,15 Total Project Expenditure 12 121 989,25

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Government of Kyrgyz Republiuc ARIS: DFID Co-financing Trust Fund for the Second Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project Grant # TF013105 Uses of Funds by Component and Expenditure Type For period 1/1/2011 - 11/28/2014 (in USD)

Project Components Actual C. Institutional Development 687 422,71 C.1. development and implementation of the strategy for sustainable supply of safe drinking water 226 248,74 C.2. improving the institutional framework, develop normative acts 108 358,53 C.3. Training, workshops and seminars to enhance the capacity of CDWUUs, LSG, DRWS and ARIS 232 298,86 C.4. Strengthening the management information system of the Project 120 516,59 B. Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion 680 000,00 B.1. Hygiene and Sanitation Education Program 680 000,00 Expenditure on bank fees 735,85 Total Project Expenditure 1 368 158,56

C. Activity of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and LSG bodies

The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in project implementation In project implementation period, cooperation of ARIS and LSG bodies was successful. Village LSGBs were taking active part in the process of reparation and implementation of subprojects. LSGBs appointed subproject managers who were directly supervising contract implementation and addressing to ARIS in case of disputes. However, it is necessary to note the following: LSG bodies didn’t always timely fulfill their obligations on 5% subproject co-financing. Paying out the 5% could be delayed for up to 6 months, which caused discontent of contractor organizations that had, using the funds, to conduct mobilization for commencement of works. The project had a number of times to address and resolve co-financing issues with higher managerial bodies. Cofinancing delay took place in implementation of subprojects in Ak- Kochkor, Tugol-Sai, Uch-Emchek Villages.

D. World Bank input The WB activity in the process of implementation of the project may be evaluated as satisfactory. In course of implementation, the WB was actively conducting monitoring of project progress and providing recommendations and consultations on the progress of project activities, as needed. WB timely provided approvals on the matters related to project implementation. WB was timely assisting in decision-making and rendering consultation support. The WB staff was supervising project implementation through supervision missions, meetings with the representatives of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic as well as field visits. WB procurement review was carried out in line with the procedures of prior and post review in accordance with approved procurement plan. Being adequate, project implementation mechanism fosters future development of communal utilities. The project implementation 84

BORROWER ICR mechanism proposed by the Bank was appropriate. It was necessary to create preconditions for sustainable development of CDWUUs. This is a transfer from unprofitable to profitable utilities in the field of potable water supply through improved accessibility, quality and effectiveness. For instance, following the project activity, CDWUUs started collecting more tariffs, which shows the fact that the project arrangements created preconditions for further sustainable development of CDWUUs.

III. Evaluation of performance

A. Effectiveness and achievement of results Direct impact of construction contracts aimed to rehabilitate water supply systems and sanitation facilities may be evaluated by the following indicators given in Table No. 3

Report by project indicators Results as of Comments PDO indicators 31.10. 2014 Number of rural residents with access to improved 83 000 Residents of 55 villages of completed subprojects 1 water supply services under the project Percentage of water quality tests at the area of 80 “35” is removed to allow flexibility on the number of rehabilitated water supply systems, the results of schemes. Also “SES” is removed given that test may 2 which meet the national potable water quality have to be carried out directly by the project if SES does norms not perform water analysis in the target villages. 72,7 Based on the survey of households conducted by village health committees under HPA , UNICEF partner Percentage of people in communities participating At average in three oblasts the indicator increased by 3 in the project, reporting about the use of soap for 12.7%. In Issuk-Kul oblast from 80% to 91%, in Talas hand washing after using toilet oblast form 41% to 49%,and in Naryn oblast from 66% to 85%, as of November 2013 and July 2014, respectively . Average level of compensation of expenses on 70 Percentage of CDWUUs in 35 subproject villages 4 O&M of water supply systems covered under the project (%) Draft State program for development of water supply and water disposal in residential area 2014-2024 National strategy in water supply and sanitation prepared with support of the Project was approved by the 5 sector approved by the government Decree of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic dated 24 September 2014 and sent for review to the Parliament.. Indicators of outputs Component A A1. Number of water supply systems rehabilitated 37 In 55 villages covered by the project, 37 subprojects 1 under the Project implemented A2. Number of improved water supply points in 226 226 new stand pipes were installed in course of 2 communities constructed or rehabilitated under the implementation of the project project A3. Number of new household connections as a 3 902 Number of yard connections in completed subproject 3 project result villages A4. Number of households water lines of which are 1 000 Number of households connected earlier in project 4 impacted by rehabilitation works under the project covered villages

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A5. Number of rural residents with access to 9 151+teachers about 9151students and teachers 5 improved sanitation facilities under the project A6. Number of improved toilets constructed under 18 8 contracts signed for rehabilitation of indoor toilets and 6 the project 10 contracts- for construction of pit latrines Following the competition, Action plan for improvement A7. Number of equipment procured for feasibility 0 7 of activity, equipment for O&M of WSS, 7 excavators, study of water supply and sanitation systems 30 tricycles, 60 sets of equipment will be provided A8. Number of schools in project implementation 44 8 area connected to water supply system under the project A9. Percentage of households at the area of service 71 Percentage of residents in 35 subproject villages of rehabilitated systems where the distance to the 9 nearest improved water supply source is 500/1000 m or less Component B 82 160 In total, UNICEF covers 82 160 village residents B1. Number of people trained in hygiene or 10 (women – sanitation skills under the project (% of women) 74%) B2. Number of people reporting that they use soap 53/81 VHC(HPA) data/data of survey of knowledge, practice 11 before cooking washing children’s hands and experience (CAICo) B3. Number of schools in communities 52 According to UNICEF data, 52 schools have different 12 participating under the project with functioning types of washbasins installed wash basins and soap beside toilets 0 Cases of acute intestinal infections in 2012 - 428; B4. Reduction in water-borne disease incidence Hepatitis A - 228 in target villages. Data for 6 months of (number of cases a year/ number of beneficiaries 2014 shows that there are 126 cases of acute intestinal 13 under the project) (Cases of acute intestinal infection, and 69 of Hepatitis A. Total decrease ia about infections, Hepatitis A) in communities 62.5% (data for the half of 2012 in comparison for data participating under the project (percentage) for half of 2014

Component C 38 The project currently covers 38 CDWUUs. CDWUUs serving Kazybek, Kyzyl-Tuu and Kara-Koyun Villages C1. Number of bodies (CDWUU) supported by the 14 are merged in two independent CDWUUs. of Kazybek project Village CDWUU and Kyzyl-Tuu and Kara-Koyun Villages CDWUU C2. Average tariff collection in villages covered 74 15 under the project C3. Number of CDWUU staff trained in tariff 289 16 collection and WSS system management C4. Number of service agreements signed by 38 Number of CDWUUs covered by RWSSP-2 17 CDWUUs C5 Percentage of CDWUUs covered under the 65 at CDWUUs, women usually work as accountants 18 project, where women take one of three top positions C6. Number of villages, WSS information of which 19 1 899 is included in the national database

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Main trends of project impact

First: project impact trend aimed to improve potable water quality, access to water, water pressure in water supply network and water supply. 1. In investigated 25 project villages, compared with 2012, a number of households using open sources as main sources of water for drinking and cooking has decreased from 29% to 5%, which considerably reduced the risk of infectious diseases, especially among children. 2. 86% households have access to WSS services, 85% use it as a main one. In eleven project villages covered by survey, all residents have access to WSS services. Mainly, households in Novostroiki and far-flung sites where RWSSP-2 works were not envisaged are not covered by WSS services. 3. Following implementation of RWSSP-2, in households in project villages and using WSS services, the distance to main potable water source has significantly decreased. In 2012-2014 period, a number of households using WSS located at the distance at100 m has increased from 47% to 77%. The number of households where the distance is over 500 m has reduced from 7% to 0.3%. 4. In general, the distance to the nearest water source has reduced and the water supply services quality has been improved (time of interruption of water supply has decreased, pressure improved). Households using WSS in project villages spend less time to bring potable water. Average time spent by HHs to bring water, compared with 2012, has shortened from 17 to 8 minutes. Physical load on women and children, who are mainly responsible for carrying water home, has lessened.

5. Most HHs using WSS in project villages (77%), think that the pipe water they use for drinking and cooking is of an excellent and good quality. This is confirmed by the results of water quality tests conducted by sanitary and epidemiological stations according to agreements signed with CDWUUs. In 2012-2014 period, 56 tests were carried out, the results of which show that the quality of pipe water meets the national quality norms. The number of HHs that think that they use potable water of an excellent and good quality, compared with 2012, increased from 47% to 77%. 6. Residents of project villages using WSS note increase in pressure in water supply and in pipeline after RWSSP-2 interventions. Thus, the number of HHs that evaluate water pressure as good and excellent has increased in 2012-2014 period from 36% to 53%. 7. Following rehabilitation of WSS under the project, household/yard connections is continually and actively ongoing. The number of HHs having installed household/yard connections and using pipeline as a main water source compared with 2012 has increased from 9%to 43% in project villages. The main obstacle for installation of household/yard connections is a relatively high cost of connection works.

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Second: project impact trend aimed to improve management system in population serving 1. Trainings conducted for LSG bodies and CDWUU staff in operation and maintenance of pumps and electric equipment based on new technologies and opportunity to disinfect potable water, in management and maintenance of pumping and electric equipment.

The indicators given in the project matrix generally allowed to reflect main results of project activity. In discussion with WB mission, additional indicators were introduced so as to cover comprehensively project benefits by separate project impact trends. For instance, indicator “Number of new household connections after the project” introduced reflects improvement of water supply system in villages, where project activities on household/yard connections were carried out.

IV. Overall assessment and recommendations

A. Overall assessment and lessons learnt It stands to mention that RWSSP-2 is one the projects where an effective dialogue with local self-government bodies was set up, where priorities on addressing water supply issues were amicably discussed and selected subprojects were implemented. However one of serious problems in project implementation was preparation of detailed design estimates and limited project funds. Remaining 13 DDEs of challenging subprojects from 26 challenging subprojects of the phase one were adjusted in conjunction with the Design institute “Kygyzgirostroi” OJSC.

ARIS engineers produced and sent for review to the World Bank the cost estimates of works under the 13 challenging subprojects. In reparation of BoQ under four subprojects for Tort-Kul Arashan, Kalba, Yntymak Villages, modifications were introduced according to the requirements of WB consultants, i.e. diaphragms envisaged in DDE were replaced with pressure reducing valves. Pre-bid meeting was also conducted with bidders, which enabled the bidders to more comprehensively study bidding documents, materials and equipment used for the facility. Discussions with AO and CDWUU representatives on saving potable water, reduction of water loss, replacement of standpipes with yard and household connection, connection through water meters and appropriate operation of submersible well pumps as well as on risk of rebidding and signing “Agreements between ARIS and Aiyl okmotu”. Prior to announcing bidding, due to limited funds, design institute “Kurgyzgiprostroi” in conjunction with ARIS engineers, having additionally studied market prices, prepared DDEs and BoQs under completed 13 subprojects. Under the 13 subprojects, changes were introduced in DDEs and BoQs by separate types of works not requiring qualification experience in construction. Agreements have been drafted and will be signed between ARIS and aiyl aimak for some works in implementation of subproject, not requiring qualification experience in construction.

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According to DDE under 13 subprojects, there were delays in announcing bidding fro construction works.

Supervision In the course of supervision of contract implementation, there were the following main challenges: Lack of financing of non-qualification works from AO. Weak knowledge among CDWUU chairpersons in rectification of leakages and break downs of distribution networks and pipelines as well as lack of knowledge of water chlorination and signing agreements with the representatives of raion SES. Lack of specialists for operation and maintenance of water supply system.

B. Challenges encountered and ways of dealing with them There were not complicated problems during preparation and implementation of the project. All challenges regarding preparation and implementation of subprojects by ARIS and LSG were resolved at working order. The government timely signed Project Financing Agreements. Regardless of achievement of goals, there are problems that occurred beyond the project mandate and in the process of project implementation: Rehabilitation of potable water supply facilities envisaged improvement of the activity of main structures, repair and drilling of wells, construction of stations for disinfection and reservoirs. Increased volume of water supply and pressure in water supply system resulted in aggravation of poor condition of main and distribution pipelines. The poor condition caused frequent break downs in water supply networks. Poor condition of main and distribution networks. For a long period, the networks were without rehabilitation. They used pies of various diameter made of various materials, which enables to ensure required pressure in villages. Lack of equipment for accounting of potable water in villages result in inefficient and wasteful use both by CDWUUs and beneficiaries. This lack was related to lack of equipment for accounting of potable water. Installation of accounting equipment would enable to reduce water losses, enhance the efficiency of its use and increase the level of tariff collection. This also would enable to move form old water accounting system, i.e. from normative consumption to actual consumption. While behavior of consumers changed in terms of payment for water, the attitude of care is still not there. Inefficient CDWUU management resulted in misbalance between the volume of water supply to system and the volumes of potable water consumption. Inefficient use of new and current equipment results in unjustified increase of water supply. These are both commercial and technical losses, which ultimately leads to indebtedness of CDWUUs to power companies. Lack and sometimes absence of qualified specialists able to manage not only high tech equipment and structures but also water supply networks remains a pressing issue. Without

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BORROWER ICR proper maintenance from qualified specialists, equipment, structures and networks may get out of order. Low qualification of specialists, operators of billing system and poor technical equipment may lead to decrease in quality of services provided. Inefficient management will lead to inadequate collection of tariffs. This will also lead to inability to invest in main facilities. Active participation of civil sector (NGO) in management and quality service provisioning is the project achievement. The results of impact assessment showed that LSG bodies and CDWUUs carry out awareness campaign among population aimed at appropriate operation water supply network, attitude of care to potable water.

C. Recommendations

The government of the Kyrgyz Republic would propose the following activities for further improvement of access, quality of infrastructure services provided:  In project implementation in some villages, household and yard connections to water supply system were carried out. They installed shower cabinets, washbasins, water heaters, washing machines and other conveniences.  Villages face pressing issues regarding condition of treatment facilities and disinfection of waste waters. Villages virtually don’t have structures for treatment of waste waters.  The second priority is availability of treatment facilities, the lack of which results in environmental risks, epidemiological outbreaks and diseases among population.  Currently, due to lack of sewage system and treatment facilities, population has to use pit latrines and cesspits. One of project approaches could be consideration of construction of structures in villages.  In the field of institutional development, CDWUUs should get support in improvement of management system, conduction of seminars and trainings aimed at building the capacity of specialists. There is a need in training orienting specialists from quantitative indicators to qualitative indicators (achievement of targets, efficiency).  In order to improve CDWUU activity, it is needed to reduce credit indebtedness through efficient management. It is necessary to set up billing system.  It is needed to create material, technical and institutional preconditions for sustainable development of CDWUUs as well as NGOs dealing with infrastructure issues, particularly, in terms of information support.

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Annex 8. Comments of Cofinanciers and Other Partners/Stakeholders

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Annex 8a) DFID Programme Completion Report - Top Sheet

This Top Sheet captures the headlines on the programme performances performance over the course of its lifetime. Teams should attach summary sheets from each annual review over the life of the programme.

Review Date: 2-9 September 2014

Title: Second Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project (RWSSP-2)

Programme Code: Start Date: End Date: 114044 1st July 2009 31st October 2014

Summary of Programme Performance

Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Programme Score 4 3 B A Risk Rating Medium Medium Medium Medium

Financial Position

Original Programme Value £5,000,000 Extensions/ amendments Original end date was end May 2013 but this was extended to October 2014 during the latest annual review (November 2013). After the mid-term review in 2011 DFID cut its budget from £5 million to £1 million. Log-frame revisions (with dates) - After the mid-term review in November 2011 support for water supply infrastructure was withdrawn so the two remaining outputs supported by the reduced budget were: (i) improved hygiene and sanitation practices, and (ii) improve capacity of the GoK, local government and communities to develop and maintain their WSS services in participating communities - Following the 2013 Annual Review the phrasing of the indicators was amended to align with the World Bank logframe Total programme spend £1,000,000

Programme Accountability

Original SRO (with dates of tenure)

Subsequent SROs (with dates of tenure) 1. 2. 3.

Follow up actions required following closure

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A. Introduction and Context (1 page)

DevTracker Link to Business Case: DevTracker Link to Log frame:

Outline of programme and what it has achieved

1. The Second Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project (RWSSP-2) is a World Bank/DFID programme which builds on a first phase RWSSP, which was implemented in 2002-2008.

2. In the second phase, DFID contributed £1 million to a World Bank Trust Fund over five years to finance improvements in sanitation and hygiene practices at individual, family and institutional levels in rural areas in the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as to strengthen institutional capacity for the rural drinking water supply and sanitation sector. The Joint WB/DFID intervention was designed to reach approximately 110,000 beneficiaries (the end target of people trained on improved hygiene and sanitation practices).

3. In the first phase, DFID provided complementary technical assistance to the World Bank for their RWSSP project implemented in the northern oblasts of Issyk-Kul, Naryn and Talas. This was done through two DFID projects – RWSSP for water supply and a Rural Hygiene and Sanitation Project (RHSP) which worked with the Centre for Health Promotion (CHP) on sanitation and hygiene in the home and at schools and medical centres, through Village Health Committees (VHCs). At the same time, ADB was implementing a similar water supply project in the four remaining oblasts. RWSSP-2 continued to work in the same three northern oblasts.

4. The agency responsible for overseeing rural water supply (Department of Rural Water Supply) has been moved from one institutional location to another. Until 2011 RWSSP-2 was implemented by a joint project management unit (JPMU) which implemented both RWSSP-2 and the ADB project (until it was halted). RWSSP-2 faced long delays and major disruptions from the start due to low capacity and limited leadership of the water supply and sanitation sector institutions and service providers. The revolution in 2010 and the subsequent political upheaval was also a significant disruptive factor which caused considerable delays.

5. Following the Project’s World Bank mid-term review in 2011 the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic dissolved the JPMU and transferred the Project to the Community Investments and Development Agency (ARIS). The first phase of RWSSP was successful in developing a community based participatory model for service delivery, balanced with centralised provision of services, and achieved measurable reductions in water borne diseases. It was less successful in institution building in the water supply sector, largely due to the fact that throughout the project, the DRWS then located in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Processing Industry, was inadequately supported. [It has since been under the Prime Minister’s Office and is now under the State Agency on Architecture, Construction and Housing under the Government of KR.] However, the CHP and its partner VHCs continue to be an active partner under the Ministry of Health.

6. Despite the desperately poor performance in the first half of the project, DFID continued to support the project, though with reduced financial contribution, partly to maintain DFID’s reputation given their support to other projects and programmes, and to achieve the benefits of supporting the institutional and legal reforms proposed. DFID reduced their contribution from £5m to £1m by withdrawing contributions to water supply construction and focusing its support on promotion of improved health and hygiene practices (Component B) and capacity building and institutional development at community and national levels (Component C).

7. The Annual Review in late-2013 suggested that despite still limited tangible progress against project indicators, ARIS and UNICEF were in a position to achieve dramatic progress in the final year of the project. A time-bound action plan was put in place and a mid-year review was conducted in May 2014 to assess progress. The progress achieved in the first six months 2014 was dramatic and there was high confidence that project purpose of providing improved access to potable water and improve water related hygiene practice in participating communities, with associated indicators and outcomes, would be achieved. The PCR can confirm that the outcomes were achieved, though due to the rushed nature of the final year’s programme, it will be important to ask World Bank/UNICEF/ARIS to ensure the sustainability of the achievements. However, the continued commitment of the CHP and VHCs to health promotion in the villages and the fact that school latrines built under RHSP ten years ago continue to be used, in good condition and well maintained provides some reassurance.

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8. The achievements in the last year are remarkable and due credit should go to the World Bank, ARIS and UNICEF for huge efforts to accomplish this, and to DFID for continuing to support this project despite the challenges.

B: PERFORMANCE AND CONCLUSIONS (1-2 pages)

Performance is measured against the revised log frame – the latest revision was in October 2013 and was aligned with World Bank’s log frame.

Overall Outcome Assessment

DFID funds are only used to support sanitation, hygiene promotion and institutional capacity building activities so only the second indicator “Decreased rate of incidence of waterborne diseases in communities participating in this project” is assessed. The assessment is based on tests of faeces and blood from pre- and post- project matched samples of schoolchildren for worms, acute intestinal infections and viral hepatitis done by SES laboratory staff working with village health centres (FAPs). Where infection was found children and families were treated in almost all cases. Data for 2014 was only available for the first half of the year so 2014 totals have been doubled before comparison with an average of annual totals for 2010 – 2013. Acute intestinal infections and viral hepatitis A fell by 55% and 54% respectively whilst worm infections (including ascariasis, enterobiasis and giardiasis) reportedly fell by 75%. Only rare helminth cases were reported to have increased, from 23 cases to 94 cases due to non-treatment of parents, later revealed to be the main source of infection. Whilst this is not a statistically significant study and the data may not be wholly reliable, it is certainly clear that there has been a big improvement in participating communities’ water and hygiene related health. What is also clear from the Output reporting (in Section C below) is that the success has been as a consequence of delivering DFID’s original aim (in Phase 1 through RWSSP-1 and RHSP) of improved health through combined improvements in water supply, sanitation and hygiene. Results are summarised below.

Acute Intestinal Infection Viral Hepatitis A – infected children in project schools – infected children in project schools Average 2010-2013 2014 Average 2010-2013 2014 Issyk Kul 66 62 Issyk Kul 46 40 Naryn 44 14 Naryn 43 18 Talas 236 80 Talas 92 26 Total 345 156 Total 181 84 Change -55% Change -54%

Number of helminthic invasion diseases in the three project oblasts (SES data)

Average 2010-2013 2014 ascariasis 881 362 enterobiasis 1,507 166 hymenolepiasis 36 0 giardiasis 296 72 dysenteric amoeba 3 0 rare helminths 23 94

Output Score and Description

Output 1 (Improved hygiene and sanitation practices) has three indicators on participation and behaviour change which are reported on in more detail in the next section. Score = A.

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In the log frame, some assumptions were made for this output about key factors for success. These were that: the actual change in behaviour would be as a result of wider factors than just participation in programmes (including availability of soap and home water management); that communities do not neglect sanitation when deciding on resource allocation (adequate split between water supply and public sanitation) and that hygiene promotion is well targeted with appropriate channels and tools used during the campaigns. These assumptions were borne out in this project with major changes in soap availability and use in the home and at schools, improved allocation of resources for sanitation in homes and schools (especially increasing salaries of staff doing the cleaning and maintenance of sanitation facilities), and a wide selection of materials, tools and visual aids (as well as social networking and video exercises for schoolchildren) used to emphasise the importance and effectiveness of good sanitation and hygiene. UNICEF did a study of school expenditure on water supply, sanitation and hygiene and overall the picture was that current expenditure was only a tiny fraction of what was required to fulfil national standards. There is considerable reliance on parent sponsorship of classes and this seems to have been effective in providing materials but it is inequitable with this inequality likely to be self-perpetuating with better schools visited (such as Kazybek in At Bashy rayon of Naryn) seeming to receive much higher levels of sponsorship than struggling schools (such as Kum Dobo in Kochkor rayon of Naryn).

Output 2 (Improved capacity of the GoK, local government and communities to develop and maintain their WSS services in participating communities) is focussed on institutional capacity building, of the CDWUUs and DRWSS in particular. Score = A.

The biggest indicators of success for CDWUUs relate to commitment through signed service agreements (done) and through fee collection and management. All CDWUUs except Chelpek and Tort Kul in Issyk Kul and Ak Kuduk in Naryn have set tariffs and started collecting fees. Seasonal collection (post tourist season in Issyk Kul and post harvest in all three oblasts) mean that 2014 figures are currently much lower than 2013 figures. The tables below are based on data for all CDWUUs compiled by ARIS for 2013, the year with the most complete fee collection data.

The reported tariff charges are similar for Naryn and Talas at between 60 and 70 KGS per household. Assuming about five people per household, Issyk Kul charges are higher at about 100 KGS per household. Some Issyk Kul CDWUUS have already installed meters and are charging per cubic metre. This is beginning to be implemented in some CDWUUs in Naryn and Talas too. The tariffs are reasonable and should deliver sufficient revenue to cover staff costs (CDWUU staff members were paid between 2,000 and 10,000 KGS per month) and routine operation and maintenance costs and to contribute to depreciation costs where higher collection rates are achieved.

CDWUUs reported collection rates of 60-80%. The analysis in the second table below would suggest that, on average, collection rates may be lower at 30-50%. However, these figures should be treated with caution as many schemes were not fully functioning though the whole year so revenues are not for the whole year. Nevertheless the collection rates would seem to bear out the claims based on tariff rates that income is sufficient to cover O and M costs so the target has been achieved.

Average monthly tariff and basis of tariff for each oblast

Oblast Per household Per person Per m3 Issyk Kul - 20 25 Naryn 60 15 - Talas 70 11 -

To support this Output DFID contributed to the funding of a set of activities to help the sector more widely, all of which are expected to be completed by project close at the end of October 2014. The World Bank is keeping a close eye on all activities to ensure their successful conclusion before project closure. The most important activities were: the development of a sector strategy (complete and awaiting parliamentary approval); a legal review (needs a major rewrite before approval – World Bank will ensure its completion); creation of a water and wastewater financial model (still in progress but due to be complete before the end of October 2014); advisory support on chlorination (completed but see end of Section C for follow-up) and a review of technical norms and standards (still in progress but off to a good start and expected to be complete before end of October 2014).

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CDWUU annual revenues and average per household

2013 income per Income in Value 2013 Income household/month £(approx.) All CDWUUs Maximum 600,900 (in Issyk Kul) 75 7,500 Mean 157,602 21 2,000 Minimum 5,500 (in Talas) 5 70

Lessons and how these have been shared

1. Only when water is provided to the home do you get the maximum improvements in hygiene and only when water, sanitation and hygiene are all in place do you get the full health gains. These messages are clear to all involved but this learning needs to be incorporated in any new water supply initiatives such as those being considered by ADB and the World Bank. Sanitation and hygiene has so far been primarily grant supported by bilateral donors (DFID primarily although a Russian project under UNICEF will also include this) and if DFID is to cease supporting this work then any new activities need to find a way to support. 2. CDWUUs are a valuable technical and management resource in rural areas, especially where they are run by people previously involved in state management of rural supply. There is good evidence of CDWUUs being backed up by Ayl Okmotus (AOs – local government) and this partnership will be a key factor for sustainability going forward. Many AOs have contributed to water supply construction or school sanitation and hand washing facilities.

These lessons have been shared with all project partners.

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C: DETAILED OUTPUT SCORING (1 page per output)

Output Title Improved hygiene and sanitation practices Output number per LF Output 1 Output Score A Risk: Low Impact weighting (%): 50% Risk revised since last AR? N Impact weighting % revised N since last AR?

Indicator(s) Milestones Progress Output indicator 1.1: Number of villages By end of project – 55 villages Target met with all 55 villages (schools, participating in campaigns on hygiene and medical centres and communities) sanitation carried out by the project participating in the hygiene and sanitation campaigns. Two school teachers per village attended an oblast level training session by UNICEF and then used the training and the Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST)-based materials to work in the schools and communities (with health centres (FAPs) and VHCs) and with UNICEF support/monitoring. Output indicator 1.2: Percentage of people By end of project – 70% Target met. Pre- and post-intervention data reporting using soap for washing hands after collected by CHP suggests that 75% of using the toilet. people are washing hands with soap after using the toilet (Issyk Kul – pre-project 80% to 91% post-project, Naryn - 66% to 85% and Talas - 41% to 49%). The biggest reason for the increase, and the reason to believe (based on site visits) that hygiene behaviour has genuinely improved, is the availability of water (heated as required) in the home and at school. The availability of water in wash basins located indoors in households increased from 62% to 78% in Issyk Kul, 81% to 97% in Naryn and 46% to 61% in Talas. Output indicator 1.3: Percentage of people By end of project - 50%/40% Target 1 met in Issyk Kul and Naryn but not reporting using soap for washing hands Talas, with CHP data suggesting that the before handling food/washing children’s percentage of respondents who reported hands washing hands before meal preparation increased from 26% to 49% in Issyk Kul, 29% to 48% in Naryn and 16% to 20% in Talas. It is not clear why Talas lagged behind on all hygiene targets. Target 2 unknown. For some unknown reason, CHP did not collect data on washing children’s hands but the availability of hot water and soap in schools, high level of awareness shown by children, and in-school monitoring of hand washing suggests that hand washing among children is at a high level – children were often reported to have educated their parents after the hygiene activities at school.

Key Points 1. There were several reports that the residual knowledge on hygiene from the RHSP in the first phase contributed to quick success. 2. The continued activeness of the VHCs 10 years on was most encouraging for sustainability. 95

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Output Title Improve capacity of the GoK, local government and communities to develop and maintain their WSS services in participating communities Output number per LF Output 2 Output Score A Risk: Medium Impact weighting (%): 50% Risk revised since last AR? N Impact weighting % revised N since last AR?

Indicator(s) Milestones Progress Output indicator 2.1: Number of DRWS By end of project – 40 Target met with ARIS reporting that all local personnel trained in management and DRWSS engineers had been trained with the planning for rural water supply and CDWUUs. It is not clear how effective sanitation DRWSS engineers are since the main project relationships are between ARIS, CDWUUs and AOs. Output indicator 2.2: Number of CDWUUs By end of project - 196 Target met with all 196 CDWUUs (Phase 1 - trained in fee collection and management of 159, Phase 2 - 37) trained in fee collection the water and sanitation schemes and management of the water and sanitation schemes. All 37 Phase 2 CDWUUs have been given computers and printers for tracking fee collection, though some are not yet using them – but accounts clerks have been appointed and training is on-going. Output indicator 2.3 Number of CDWUUs By end of project – 37 Target met with all 37 CDWUUs have service agreements signed. signed service agreements. Output indicator 2.4: Number of CDWUUs By end of project - 15 of 37 or Target met. In 2013, 15 CDWUUs had with sufficient revenues (from fees collection 44% income in excess of KGS 100,000 (5 so far and other sources) to cover at least O and M. in 2014) with 25 CDWUUs having income in excess of KGS 100 per household (15 so far in in 2014). Fee collection is mainly seasonal and as tourist seasons and harvests had not finished by the review total revenue for 2014 is currently lower. All 12 CDWUUs visited in May and September 2014 had sufficient revenue to cover operation and maintenance. Depreciation is only partially covered so ARIS was to invite Oxfam to report on its successful project in Tajikistan (where revenue covers depreciation) at the closing workshop. Some CDWUUs are highly successful at revenue collection. Output indicator 2.5: Number of villages for By end of project – 1,700 Target met. There are two databases being which information on water supply and prepared, one for DRWSS (technical) and sanitation is included in the national one for SES (water quality and diseases). database The DRWSS one is complete and data for 2,000 villages has been entered. 800 questionnaires were sent to local DRWSS staff to fill in (covering more than 2,000 villages) and 700 were filled in, of which 650 have been entered. The Sanitary Epidemiological Station (SES) and the developers are working on the variables to be included in the SES database. It will be completed close to project end but the consultants will support SES IT staff for a while after. Both will be online. The DRWSS one will be public domain but a decision on the SES one will depend on sensitivity of final data.

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Key Points

Summary of responses to issues raised in previous annual reviews (where relevant)

1. One of the main concerns relates to water quality and the chlorination of water supplies. Chlorination units have been installed in all 37 schemes but whilst an extremely useful guide to disinfection has been produced by ARIS, and there was evidence of chlorination going on in some schemes visited, there is no testing of residual chlorine so there is no knowledge or understanding of the effectiveness (or healthiness) of the chlorine regimes in place. Whilst Kyrgyz standards and SES in Bishkek advocate a formula based approach to chlorine dosing (based on raw water quality and concentration of chlorine powder), all CDWUUs reported having been told to use the same dosage (3g/m3) even though raw water quality and concentration of chlorine in the bleaching powders used in each case was different. This is a major concern. If chlorine is to be used (recommended, especially for surface water supplies) then residual chlorine must be measured. SES are aware of this and will be promoting it with their staff and CDWUUs in the final workshop but without testing equipment (CDWUUs have none) the reliance is solely on SES on an occasional basis.

Recommendations for future programmes

1. Wherever possible, incorporate WASH training for communities within existing or future community structures linked to state institutions to ensure sustainability. The main reason for the sustainability and continued support of the Village Initiative Groups (VIGs) from RHSP is that they were incorporated into the VHCs which work on a variety of health issues with FAPs. Without this the VIGs may well have ceased to function. 2. If chlorination is to be promoted as part of water supply improvements then monitoring systems and equipment must be in place at the earliest opportunity. 3. Actively engage with local government (AOs) and not just target communities to support water supply. AOs have a legal responsibility for water supply and have responded positively to requests for support by CDWUUs and strong partnerships are now in place. 4. Use RWSSP-2 as a model for making difficult decisions up front on the most effective way of project management and implementation. The problems in the first half of the project came as no surprise, nor did the improvements in performance with the change in management. 5. To achieve significant improvements in hygiene behaviour water must be easily to hand. 6. There should be plans in place to follow-up outstanding activities that are part of a project but outside of the control of that particular project. For example, the long-term strategy for WASH has been finalised following government and sector review. It is awaiting partliamentary approval but this is unlikely to be achieved before the end of the project. Following this up is a not a time-consuming process but is important in terms of the project’s legacy and future sector progress.

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D: VALUE FOR MONEY & FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE (1 page)

Key cost drivers and performance

DFID’s contribution to this project dropped from £5 m to £1 million to focus on sanitation, hygiene and institutional capacity building. The revised budget went to UNICEF for the school sanitation and school and community hygiene programme in the 51 villages supplied by the 37 water supply systems, and to ARIS as contribution to project management and institutional strengthening activities. UNICEF rates are relatively high but economies of scale are achieved with existing work being done elsewhere and some staff supported by core funding. The long delays and rush to complete the work quickly meant that spend occurred rapidly. All of the funds were spent.

VfM performance compared to the original VfM proposition in the business case

The mid-term review concluded that there was poor value for money being demonstrated compared to the original assessment in the Project Memorandum (project was pre business case process) since the number of beneficiaries was going down and the per capita cost of water supply construction was going up two, three, even four-fold. DFID ensured that value for money increased again by cutting support to the construction schemes and focusing the support on sanitation and hygiene promotion. Whilst it is not possible to directly compare overall project completion VfM with project preparation VfM as the water supply construction component was not common to both, it is possible to compare the components on sanitation and hygiene. The costs were the same but the audience reached by UNICEF during its hygiene campaigns was greater than would have been the case under the JPMU. UNICEF calculated that almost 600 VHC members carried out hygiene and sanitation training of just over 82,000 people (75% of target population) of which just over 53,000 were women. Hygiene and sanitation videos were broadcast on national TV and several regional radio programmes were broadcast.

Assessment of whether the programme represented value for money

Without DFID’s support the hygiene and sanitation components of this project would not have been delivered at all and so many of the potential health benefits of improved water supply would not have been achieved. Many studies demonstrate the economic and social benefits from improved health in terms of reduced expenditure on medicines and hospital visits, increased work productivity and school attendance, particularly for girls so DFID have delivered economic benefits. DFID’s £1 million supported successful implementation of hygiene and sanitation programmes in 55 villages and schools, as well as a sector strategy awaiting parliamentary approval, a legal review, a water and wastewater financial model, advisory support on chlorination, a review of technical norms and standards and databases for all villages in the project oblasts. These short term outputs will, based on the continuing benefits observed from the Phase 1 RWSSP and RHSP, deliver long term outcomes and represent value for money. UNICEF’s resources and experience were used to achieve benefits far beyond the project sites with regional and national activities on TV and radio as well as school media and social networking activities.

DFID’s profile with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic has been low over this project and it would help to maximise value for money if the Government were to be made aware of DFID’s support for this project, though exposure needs to be managed so as to not create expectation by the Government for further DFID support. This will be a high profile issue over the coming months as discussions between the government and World Bank over a further phase of work evolve. DFID had a fine line to tread. It was only in the last 18 months that this project moved ahead at pace and was viewed most positively by the government. It might have helped for DFID to more closely associate itself with the World Bank in meetings with the government.

Quality of financial management during programme

When it was clear that the original £5 million was not going to represent good value for money the decision was taken to reduce the budget and transfer the money to ARIS and from there to UNICEF and consultants. ARIS were audited and found to be sound in their financial management, so much so that high profile NGOs that were highly

99 critical of the project being given to ARIS were, by project end, effusive in their appreciation of ARIS’ financial and technical dealings in the project.

Date of last narrative financial report Date of last audited annual statement

E: RISK (½ page)

Quality of risk management over the life of the programme

The main risks identified at project outset were institutional, political and fiduciary. In the first half of the project the risks associated with government became a reality and lack of (or confused) government leadership for or through DRWS and poor project management by the PMU (much linked to poor project design, especially in terms of design standards) held up the project’s progress. This was certainly not helped by the political consequences of the revolution of 2010 which left an institutional vacuum for a significant period. The key risks identified under Component A (Water Supply Infrastructure and Equipment) also became a reality and were fundamental to first half project delays. These were disagreement over design standards for the water supply projects which, when finally resolved, resulted in a doubling of the per head volumes of water supplied and significant increases in sub- project costs and the requirement to complete sub-projects from Phase 1 of RWSSP which were either not completed or which contained defects requiring work to ensure water supply. As a result the costs rose and the number of schemes included in RWSSP-2 was reduced. The delays in Component A impacted upon B and C, exclusively funded by DFID.

In agreement with the government, the risks were managed by transferring the project management responsibility from direct government control to ARIS. This was a pragmatic and commendable decision by government which meant that, whilst the World Bank still had to fight hard to control costs, project implementation was faster (Components A and C) and UNICEF were able to bring their considerable experience and resources to enable rapid implementation of Component B.

When costs spiralled and value for money was considerably reduced DFID took the decision to withdraw its support to Component A and to support only Components B and C.

Funds were disbursed via a World Bank Trust Fund and the Bank considered financial management at ARIS during RWSSP2 (accounting, reporting, budgeting, external auditing, contract monitoring, funds flow and staffing) to be Satisfactory throughout.

F: COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATIONS (½ page)

Delivery against planned timeframe

The project was extended from May 2013 to October 2014 so delivery was not achieved by original timeframe. However, DFID supported activities have either already been completed or expected to be completed by end of project. The only outstanding activities are legal review rewrite, work on reviewing and suggested amendments to design standards, and database completion under Component C.

Performance of partnership (s)

The partnerships improved hugely in the second half of this project. The main partnerships were between UNICEF and villages for hygiene promotion and sanitation (and between schoolteachers, schoolchildren, parents and communities, and medical centre staff). In all 12 villages visited these partnerships were evident and supportive. The longevity of the VHCs and their continued work with FAPs is particularly striking, as is the continued linkage between FAPs and the CHPs.

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For water supply the main relationships were between ARIS, CDWUUs, communities and AOs. The good working relationships observed between AOs and CDWUUs and between CDWUUs and communities were encouraging to see for sustainability.

As this project was transferred from direct government control (JPMU) to ARIS, there are possible concerns about government ownership. However, government is pleased with the oputcomes and anyway the key relationships are at village/CDWUU/AO level. The relationship between central SES, local SES and CDWUUs for water quality control (especially in relation to chlorination) remains a concern.

Asset disposal and value obtained by DFID

There were no assets to dispose of under this project. All of DFID’s spend went on activities.

H: MONITORING & EVALUATION (½ page)

Evidence and evaluation

The evidence base has not changed during the project. The evidence for project evaluation is not statistically significant but is substantial and provides enough information upon which to make conclusions with a fair degree of confidence. For DFID’s areas of support, hygiene behaviour change was a critical measure of success and this was reported as being achieved in CHP’s impact assessment survey. It should be noted that the behaviour change noted is only reported behaviour change, as in what answers were given by people when asked about hygiene behaviour (hand-washing practices in particular). Research by ICDDR-B in Bangladesh seem to confirm what many in the sector have suspected for a while - that reported behaviour change is considerably greater than actual behaviour change (in Bangladesh 10% improvements in reported behaviour were representing an approximate 1% improvement in actual behaviour). However, in this case, the supporting evidence on facilities (proximity of water especially) and school and community self-monitoring programmes gives a higher than normal level of confidence about the actual impact achieved and its sustainability.

The data on CDWUU progress and performance is internally collected and collated by ARIS but has been independently corroborated in 12 cases through site visits by DFID and World Bank evaluation teams.

Monitoring progress throughout the programme

Monitoring of progress throughout the programme’s duration has been regular, timely and comprehensive in light of the major challenges encountered. There have been four Annual Reviews and each of these has been closely coordinated with the World Bank to ensure a consistent line of enquiry and recommendations for improvement. Recommendations have been thorough and responded to by project partners and have resulted in a project which has delivered much. DFID has engaged regularly and supportively with project implementing partners and with the World Bank and this was appreciated by all during PCR Mission.

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The Programme Completion Report is the opportunity to reflect on the entire programme, its performance, achievements, lessons and how learning will be shared to inform future programming.

The Programme Completion Report assesses and rates outputs using the following rating scale. ARIES and the separate programme scoring calculation sheet will calculate the overall output score taking account of the weightings and individual outputs scores

Description Scale Outputs substantially exceeded expectation A++ Outputs moderately exceeded expectation A+ Outputs met expectation A Outputs moderately did not meet expectation B Outputs substantially did not meet expectation C

Teams should refer to the considerations below as a guide to completing the annual review template.

Summary Sheet Complete the summary sheet with headline information on the programme and any follow up actions Introduction and Context Briefly outline the programme, results achieved and contribution to the overall Operational Plan and DFID’s international development objectives. Where the context supporting the intervention has changed from that outlined in the original programme documents explain what this will mean for UK support B: Performance and conclusions Outcome Assessment Brief assessment of whether the programme achieved the Outcome Overall Output Score and Description Progress against the milestones and results achieved that were expected as at the time of this review. Lessons Any key lessons you and your partners have learned from this programme Have assumptions changed since design? Would you do differently if re-designing this programme? How will you and your partners share the lessons learned more widely in your team, across DFID and externally C: Detailed Output Scoring Output Set out the Output, Output Score Score Enter a rating using the rating scale A++ to C. Impact Weighting (%) Enter the %age number which cannot be less than 10%.

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The figure here should match the Impact Weight currently shown on the log frame (and which will need to be entered on ARIES as part of loading the Annual Review for approval). Revised since last Annual Review (Y/N). Risk Rating Risk Rating: Low/Medium/High Enter Low, Medium or High The Risk Rating here should match the Risk currently shown on the log frame (and which will need to be entered on ARIES as part of loading the Annual Review for approval). Where the Risk for this Output been revised since the last review (or since inception, if this is the first review) or if the review identifies that it needs revision explain why, referring to section B Risk Assessment Key points Summary of response to issues raised in previous annual reviews (where relevant) Recommendations for future programmes Repeat above for each Output. D Value for Money and Financial Performance Key cost drivers and performance Consider the specific costs and cost drivers identified in the Business Case Have there been changes from those identified in previous reviews or at programme approval. If so, why? VfM performance compared to the original VfM proposition in the business case. Performance against vfm measures and any trigger points that were identified to track through the programme Assessment of whether the programme represented value for money? Overall view on whether the programme was good value for money Quality of Financial Management Consider our best estimate of future costs against the current approved budget and forecasting profile Have narrative and financial reporting requirements been adhered to. Include details of last report Have auditing requirements been met. Include details of last report E Risk Quality of risk management over the life of the programme. How were risks managed, the degree to which they were realised and/or mitigated. F: Commercial Considerations Delivery against planned timeframe. Y/N Compare actual progress against the approved timescales in the Business Case. If timescales are off track provide an explanation including what this means for the cost of the programme and any remedial action. Performance of partnership How well are formal partnerships/ contracts working Are we learning and applying lessons from partner experience Could DFID be a more effective partner Asset disposal and value obtained by DFID How were assets managed throughout the programme? How have they been (or will they be) disposed to get maximum value? H: Monitoring and Evaluation Evidence and evaluation Changes in evidence and implications for the programme

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Where an evaluation is planned what progress has been made How is the Theory of Change and the assumptions used in the programme design working out in practice in this programme? Are modifications to the programme design required? Is there any new evidence available which challenges the programme design or rationale? How does the evidence from the implementation of this programme contribute to the wider evidence base? How is evidence disaggregated by sex and age, and by other variables? Where an evaluation is planned set out what progress has been made. Monitoring process throughout the programme Direct feedback you have had from stakeholders, including beneficiaries Monitoring activities throughout review period (field visits, reviews, engagement etc) The Annual Review process

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Annex 8b. Government Comments to the ICR18

/unofficial translation/

Letterhead of the State Agency for Architecture, Construction, and Housing and Utility Infrastructure under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic

April 13, 2015 Outgoing # 18/573

Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic

Cc: World Bank Country Office in the Kyrgyz Republic Community Development and Investment Agency (ARIS) of the Kyrgyz Republic

Having reviewed the submitted draft Implementation Completion and Results Report (ICR) for the Second Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project in the Kyrgyz Republic, we would like to inform you of the following.

1. It should be noted that, in our opinion, the Implementation Completion Report for the first and second phases of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project financed by the World Bank was prepared with due attention paid to every aspect.

2. Taking into account the difficult drinking water supply situation in the country, and particularly in the rural areas, in the early 2000s, the Kyrgyz Government concluded agreements with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank for financing projects implemented in the drinking water supply sector.

3. At the same time, it should be noted that during that period the Kyrgyz Government lacked experience and skills required for implementation of such large-scale projects not only in drinking water supply but also in other sectors.

18 Footnotes included in this section were not part of the original comments from the Borrower, rather they have been introduced to put in context, clarify, or comment on some of the Government comments where deemed necessary.

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4. Moreover, the hastily adopted Taza Suu19 National Program did not contain concrete goals and tasks and lacked requisite calculations and implementation action plan that would have outlined the development prospects for this sector.

5. Without such clearly stated goals, tasks, and calculations, the Kyrgyz Government undertook these broad yet unrealistic commitments and promised within 5-6 years to provide safe drinking water supply to over 1,000 rural communities all over the country.

6. As it is well known, the numerous attempts by international consultants and local specialists to design and adopt a strategy for drinking water supply and sewerage development were blocked by the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic.

7. Besides, local communities were not properly prepared for implementation of the projects and there was no improved legislation regulating not only the water supply and sanitation sector but also operations of local self-governments responsible for handling local issues.

8. For these reasons, the project was implemented by an international consulting company together with newly established rural drinking water user associations (RDWUAs), although there existed the respective laws of the Kyrgyz Republic “On State Administrations and Local Self-Governance,” “On Financial and Economic Principles of Local Self-Governance,” and “on Municipal Ownership of Property.”

9. Based on provisions of these laws, local self-governments could have established municipal enterprises for operation and maintenance of water supply lines, while creation of RDWUAs was not stipulated in the existing legislation.

10. As a result, the role of local self-governments was ignored, and they remained unengaged in the preparation and implementation of projects by implementing agencies and donors.

11. In addition, we need to acknowledge that division of the country’s regions into the South and North by the donors was not carefully thought-through for ethical and other reasons.

12. Another matter of contention under the Project was hiring an international consulting company20 for implementing the Project, that was not familiar with the situation in the Kyrgyz drinking water supply sector and in the country in general.

19 The Taza Suu is the program launched by the GoKR in 2002, which included the previous RWSSP and the ADB financed CBICBP.

20 This comment does not apply to the current project, as there was no international consulting company hired for it. Similarly, comment 13 does not apply to RWSSP2. Finally, Comment 14 highlights a general weaknesses in local capacity for geological and topographic surveys in the Kyrgyz Republic, also

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13. This led to irrevocable mistakes also caused by the lack of required supervision by the implementing agencies at the stage of determining subsurface and other types of water sources. In most cases, these water sources were selected based on responses of residents in villages that were to be included in the project.

14. These facts demonstrate that geological and site surveys were not duly and properly performed.

15. The analysis held in 2012 by the State Agency for Construction and Regional Development under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic showed that 30% of water supply facilities constructed or rehabilitated under this project and recognized as problematic had design cost estimates that were prepared without due regard to their quality and the established procedures.

16. In our opinion, another mistake made in the implementation of this project was involvement of foreign construction companies 21 hired for rehabilitation and construction of water supply systems, that were selected without proper assessment of their competence and production capacities and that could withdraw from the project whenever any difficulty arose.

17. This could be exemplified by Alke Insaat Sanain Ticaret Turkish company that stopped construction of the water supply system in Kerben, Jalal Abad oblast, before the end of the construction works due to the lack of production capacity and left the country. Currently, the water supply facilities in Kerben are included in the list of problematic facilities and a part of the local population have no access to drinking water.

18. We would also like to note that the report includes well-deserved recognition for the Community Development and Investment Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic.

19. After ARIS was appointed as an implementing agency for water supply and sanitation projects in 2011, the problems existing in geological and site surveying, design and construction of rural water supply systems were successfully resolved as a result of efforts undertaken by the Agency’s competent staff and management.

20. So far, there have been no complaints from local self-governments and population regarding the 55 facilities constructed or rehabilitated by ARIS in Issyk Kul, Naryn, and Talas oblasts.

acknowledged in supervision aide memoires. Any follow on operation will have to consider strengthening capacity in these areas.

21 Comment (16 and 17) do not apply to RWSSP2. There were no foreign construction companies hired for the project, and the projects did not work in Kerben or the Jalalabad Oblast.

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21. In this regard, the Department for Drinking Water Supply and Sewerage Development shares the World Bank’s position with regard to ARIS as an implementing agency for projects financed not only by the World Bank but also by other foreign and domestic donors and investors.

22. We would also like to inform that the submitted report was discussed at the Department’s meeting attended by all oblast- and rayon-level specialists who provided the following recommendations for the next tranche to finance the third phase of this project:

(i) split the functions of an implementing agency and implementing unit to prevent conflict of interest, where the functions of an implementing agency should be transferred to another state body;

(ii) the third phase of the project should be implemented in 62 villages in Chui, Osh, Batken, and Jalal Abad oblasts in order to save funds for preparing design cost estimates, as these documents were previously prepared and later revised by ARIS;

(iii) abandon division of the country into the Southern and Northern parts, i.e. donors should cover the whole territory of the country with their activities;

(iv) projects should be implemented in strict compliance with the Presidential Decree “On Amendments to the Presidential Decree ‘On the National Sustainable Development Strategy of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2013-2017’” and the State Program for Development of Drinking Water Supply and Sewerage for 2014-2024 adopted by the Kyrgyz Government Resolution;

(v) settlements to be included in the list of facilities to be financed by the World Bank should be selected by the State Agency for Architecture, Construction, Housing and Utility Infrastructure in its capacity of a state body responsible for implementation of the state policy for the drinking water supply and sanitation, with participation of the World Bank and Kyrgyz Government’s Designated Representatives; the list of such facilities should be provided to an implementing unit as per the established procedure;

(vi) the new project should pay due attention to institutional capacity building for design engineers, construction personnel, the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, the Architecture Agency, drinking water supply organizations engaged in the project implementation, and other stakeholders;

(vii) local self-governments should be the key actors in the project implementation as it is stipulated in the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic;

(viii) abandon design and installation of street stand-pipes, but provide connection for household water supply systems;

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(ix) provide support to the Department of Drinking Water Supply and Sewerage Development in implementing fundamental reforms in the drinking water supply and sewerage sector based on the experience of other European countries in this sector.

The Department of Drinking Water Supply and Sewerage Development remains to be the key institutional partner of the project and main beneficiary under all activities aimed at institutional development and implemented in other areas within the limits prescribed by the Kyrgyz legislation.

Director T. Mambetov

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/unofficial translation/

Letterhead of the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic

April 16, 2015 Outgoing # 16-2-2/4066

World Bank Country Office in the Kyrgyz Republic

Re: Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project – 2

Herewith, the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic would like to express its respect to the World Bank Country Office in the Kyrgyz Republic and inform you of the following.

After reviewing the draft Implementation Completion and Results Report for the Second Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project, the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic in cooperation with the Community Development and Investment Agency and the State Agency for Architecture, Construction, and Housing and Utility Infrastructure under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic would like to submit its comments and additions to this report.

We would like to request you to incorporate the following changes and additions to the report as stated below:

1) Clause 55 shall be revised to read as follows:

With regard to the issues of sanitation and hygiene, the Russian Federation provided USD 1mln. to UNICEF for implementing the project to finance water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in Kyrgyz schools. This Project is comprised of two components: 1) Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion and Education Component; 2) Rehabilitation of WASH Facilities Component. Taking into account the fact that ARIS has been successfully cooperating with state bodies (the Healthcare Ministry, Ministry of Education and Science, National Health Promotion Center, Disease Prevention Department, State Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision Service, Department for Water Supply and Sewerage Development) and civic organizations (rural healthcare committees, rural drinking water user associations) in all villages nationwide and is a sustainable institution having extensive experience of promoting WASH among local communities and schools and mobilizing stakeholders’ support for resolving issues in this area, UNICEF signed an agreement with ARIS for the implementation of the Russian Federation-sponsored project. ARIS will be implementing the WASH Program in 90 selected schools all over the country drawing on the models used together with UNICEF under the RWSSP-2. ARIS is planning and taking active measures to replicate successes of the WASH program in additional schools and communities through the use of best practices and for broader outcomes.

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2) Clause 64 shall be revised to read as follows:

The key outputs supporting better hygiene, sanitation, and water use practices and pertinent outcomes. The Project, mainly through its Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Component (Component B) funded by the DFID and implemented by UNICEF, supported promotion of better hygiene and sanitation practices in rural areas. Similar activities were undertaken in schools in the three oblasts where the Project, through its Component A, financed reconstruction or construction of demonstration facilities in total of 18 schools in 18 villages (see Annex 2 for more details). Representatives of schools, healthcare centers, and communities in all the 55 villages were engaged in sanitation and hygiene promotion campaigns. Two school teachers from each village participated in the UNICEF oblast-level trainings based on the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Guidelines for Teachers and now use the PHAST (Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation) method designed for working with schools and communities in their respective oblasts.

3) Clause 67d shall be revised to read as follows: d. Design of the financial model for water supply and sewerage development.

The Project hired an international consultant to design the financial model for the water supply and sewerage sector and handed it over to the Department for Drinking Water Supply and Sewerage with delivery of further trainings for their staff on how to use this model.

4) Paragraphs c and d in Annex 2 “Component B” shall be revised to read as follows: c) Dehelminthization. Two laboratory studies were carried out in each school, covering 25 school students (grades 1-4) each time. As result of the first testing, 211 children were diagnosed with invermination, 209 of whom received medical treatment. One child from Ak Olon village did not receive treatment due to his change of residence to Balykchy. The costs of treatment with piperazine, albendazole, and mebendazole were paid by the parents. All persons being in contact with the infected children (parents and other family members) were sent to the rayon-level sanitary and epidemiological service for medical examination. Local family practitioners issued prescription for medical treatment of these children. In addition, doctors met with parents to provide detailed information regarding the need for re-treatment. d) Comprehensive needs assessment performed and annual costs of expendables and services required for routine and limited extraordinary maintenance of WASH facilities in schools estimated. The analysis was conducted based on the data obtained from schools in the pilot villages covered by the RWSSP-2, as well as the data provided by the Ministry of Education and Science, Healthcare Ministry and its local branches, and municipal authorities. The assessment of needs/ costs for expendables and services of medical aid points was not performed due to the decision not to construct any sanitary and technical facilities of the Healthcare Ministry (this suggestion goes beyond the context). According to the data of the Ministry of Education, average annual per student costs planned for 2013

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under the standard budget financing for rural schools were KGS 6.2. Since the actual funding for this category of costs was 62.7%, the actual annual spending per student amounted to KGS 3.89. Based on the data provided by the schools, calculations were made for actual spending for operation and technical maintenance of WASH facilities. The pilot schools in Talas on average spent KGS 27.5 per student per annum for operation and technical maintenance of WASH infrastructure. For the purpose of comparison, similar data were requested from a private school in Bishkek, according to which a private school in Bishkek spends KGS 196.6 per student per annum. According to the sanitary norms of the Russian Federation, average annual costs for disinfection and hygiene expendables, expressed in Kyrgyz soms, amounts to KGS 287 per student per year. Thus, the estimated monthly costs for purchasing cleaning/ disinfection and hygiene products per student (based on the current local market prices) amount to KGS 23.5 (in case if liquid soap is used) and KGS 28.7 (in case if bar soap is used), i.e. the costs for nine months of schooling would be KGS 211.5 and the annual costs would be KGS 258 in 2013. These data were confirmed by the actual costs data incurred by the school in Tuura Suu village, Ton rayon, Issyk Kul oblast.

5) Paragraphs d in Annex 2 “Component C” shall be revised to read as follows: d. Design of the financial model for water supply and sewerage development.

The Project hired an international consultant to design the financial model for the water supply and sewerage sector and handed it over to the Department for Drinking Water Supply and Sewerage with delivery of further trainings for their staff on how to use this model.

We would like to note that the comments from the State Agency for Architecture, Construction, and Housing and Utility Infrastructure under the Kyrgyz Government for the aforesaid report were sent to you as Letter No. 18/573 dated April 13, 2015.

Best regards,

Deputy Minister M. Baigonchokov

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Annex 9. List of Supporting Documents

1. Project Appraisal Document dated March 27, 2009

2. Conformed Copy of Development Credit Agreement, dated May 21, 2009

3. Project Papers on Restructuring.

4. Development Credit Agreement (DCA) Amendment letters

5. Project Supervision Aides-Memoires

6. Project Implementation Status and Results Reports.

7. Project Financial Reports

8. Project Procurement Plans

9. Borrower’s Implementation completion report for Second Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project prepared by Community development and Investment Agency (ARIS), October 2014.

10. Implementation Completion Report for the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project, World Bank ICR00001084, dated May 15, 2009.

11. Programme Completion report, UK department for International development (DFID), Review date September 2-9, 2014.

12. National Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Kyrgyz Republic 2013-2017, dated January 21, 2013.

13. State Program for Development of Water Supply and Wastewater Disposal in Settlements of the Kyrgyz Republic for the 2014-2024 period.

14. Verbal Interviews. In addition to the above documents, the ICR benefitted from a series of interviews with various representatives of key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance, the DRWS, the ministry of Health, ARIS, Various Local Governments (Ayil Okmotus) and CDWUUs in Naryn Oblast, representatives of civil society, a sample of participatory school teachers and pupils, Task Team Leaders, and representatives of donor partners including DFID, UNICEF, and the ADB.

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