Water Programme Inception meeting held and MoU signed with Samtse Dzongkhag

Royal Society for Protection of Nature has been implementing the SDF funded project on “Strengthening Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services” in two Gewogs of Phuntshopelri and Yoeseltse under Samtse Dzongkhag since 2014.

The overall goal of the project is to “improve the quality of life of rural populace by providing safe, convenient and sustainable water, sanitation services and better hygiene”. It comprise of three main components of water, sanitation and hygiene, which encompass the development of infrastructures, capacity building/skill development trainings and awareness programmes. It has completed more than 90% of the activities under Sanitation and Hygiene components until date with successful achievements of targeted results.  

The inception meeting and signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Samtse Dzongkhag Administration was held on 26^thNovember in Dzongkhag Tshogdu Hall, Samtse to kick-start the water activities. The objectives of the above meeting were to present the project and its status, discuss on the implementation of water activities and to sign MoU between RSPN and Samtse Dzongkhag Administration for the implementation of water activities as per standards of the government.

The aims of signing of MoU are:

1. to ensure efficient utilization of the project resources,
2. to provide clear directives for coordination and implementation of project activities, and
3. to recognize the mutual interest and understanding on the overall objectives of the project.

As a part of the meeting, the project details and its current status was presented by WASH Project Officer. The project officer also presented activities that are in pipeline and shared the importance of signing MoU/Agreement to the officials. The Executive Director of RSPN, accompanied by Project Officer and District Engineer, made a field visit to the project sites to monitor and assess the success of completed activities.

It was was attended by around 39 officials including Dasho Dzongdag, Dzongkhag Tshogdue Chairman, Gups and Gewog Administrative Officers of Phuntshopelri and Yoeseltse Gewogs and sector heads of Samtse Dzongkhag. In addition, it led to a fruitful discussion on the implementation of water activities and ensured clear understanding between RSPN, Samtse Dzongkhag and two beneficiary Gewogs of Phuntshopelri and Yoeseltse.

RSPN would like to thank Samtse Dzongkhag Administration and Gewog Administrations of Phuntshopelri and Yoeseltse for their support and cooperation in implementing planned project activities.

Reported by: Tsheten Dorji, WASH Project Officer