International and domestic donors have pledged to continue assisting Vietnam to carry out the third phase of the national program on clean water supply and rural environmental sanitation between 2011 and 2015, state media reported April 1. During the period, Vietnam targets to bring fresh water to 95% of the rural population, standard toilets to 75% of rural households, hygienic breeding facilities to 65% of those engaged in husbandry. The country also aim to help kindergartens, primary schools, communal clinics and markets in rural areas get access to clean water, standard toilets and effective management. To reach the goals, donors said they will focus on environmental sustainability by boosting work relating to planning and financial strategy to develop a medium-term framework. After 10 years of implementing the national target program, Vietnam gained remarkable achievements in access to safe water in rural areas. Especially, 83% of its total rural population use clean water. However the target of environmental hygiene remained low in comparison with the request, with almost 60% of rural residents having access to hygienic toilets. The donors include the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the Danish International Development Agency (Danida) and the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID). (vietnamplus.vn Mar 31)
