Launch of the “Women-Led Climate-Resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene” Project (WICR)

On the morning of October 31, at the Hoa Binh Convention Center, the launching ceremony of the “Women-Led Climate-Resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene” Project (WICR) was held with the participation of representatives from provincial departments, agencies, local authorities, donors, and project partners.

The project, implemented during the 2025–2026 period, aims to improve community health and promote gender equality by supporting poor, near-poor, ethnic minority, and vulnerable households (GEDSI), as well as families that have yet to gain access to basic needs such as hygienic latrines and safe water. It also contributes to increasing the proportion of households using hygienic latrines and clean water that meet national standards.

Delegates were briefed on the overall objectives and activities of the WICR Project.

The project is expected to support 3,000 households — equivalent to approximately 12,000 beneficiaries — across eight communes (corresponding to 15 administrative units before the merger) through practical interventions. Specifically, 750 poor, near-poor, disadvantaged, and GEDSI households will receive water filtration equipment; 150 households will be provided with water storage tanks; and 10 centralized water filtration systems will be installed in eight communes. In addition, 400 households will be supported in constructing hygienic latrines, thereby improving living conditions and preventing disease outbreaks.

In parallel, the project will organize training and communication activities for 40 core trainees, 450 community-based communicators from villages and neighborhoods, and all 3,000 beneficiary households. These sessions aim to raise community awareness of clean water usage in relation to climate change adaptation, environmental sanitation, and menstrual hygiene management (MHM).

At the ceremony, participants were introduced to the key components of the WICR Project, which was approved under Decision No. 1396/QD-UBND dated June 9, 2025, by the People’s Committee of the former Hoa Binh Province. The project is funded by the JTI Foundation through the East Meets West Foundation (EMWF) as the implementing donor, with the Phu Tho Provincial Women’s Union serving as the main local partner.

Duong Lieu