Hygiene and sanitation improvement project in Dakrong District : final evaluation study : final report

The final evaluation assessed the outcomes of the Hygiene and Sanitation Improvement Project according to targets for the three components and an evaluation framework with seven issues: effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability, relevance and appropriateness, coverage and targeting and coordination.  A quantitative survey was conducted of 150 households and complemented with qualitative work in Dakrong district, five communes, and many villages and households. The project was successful in reaching the target of 25% of the total number of households or 400 latrines/1479 households to purchase new hygienic latrines over three years. In March 2009, the household coverage had exceeded this target with 32% of households with hygienic latrines. However, access to hygienic sanitation for poor households was high compared to other areas but under 30%. While the IDE approach had not specifically targeted poor households, improving access to hygienic sanitation is a key national priority and Millennium Development goal. Poor households identified that the lack of information and access to credit options, and lack of suitable saving options were main constraints. With a more flexible approach, IDE could have increased coverage to more poor households.