Sanitation & Hygiene Promotion in Lao PDR: Learning from the National Water Supply & Environmental Health Programme

In Lao PDR, as in many countries, the provision of safe and reliable water supply and appropriate sanitation services, based on community-focused and sustainable approaches, remains a challenge.

One of the main focus area in Lao PDR's National Water Supply and Environmental Health Programme (NWSEHP) is sanitation and hygiene promotion. To this end, participatory hygiene analysis has been the entry point for initiating a key strategic principle - the community dialogue process.

Following a brief description of the programme background, this Learning Note describes the step-wise approach to community dialogue, with an emphasis on hygiene promotion initiatives. It defines the lessons learned thus far, based on field experience from operationalising the Lao PDR Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) Sector Strategy in 7 selected 'spearhead' provinces, and on the nationally implemented School Sanitation and Hygiene program.