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Meeting need and achieving sustainability in water project interventions

Author

Listed:
  • Meg Huby

    (Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York, UK, meh1@york.ac.uk)

  • Stuart Stevenson

    (Norconsult, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)

Abstract

This paper reviews common reasons postulated for the failure of many externally funded projects to improve the water supplies of people in poor rural areas of developing countries. Analysis of survey data from Tanzania shows that villages most in need of water supply improvements are unlikely to benefit from short-term interventions based on ‘dig-install-depart’ models. Excess availability and low value placed on labour in poor village communities reduce the chances that necessary effort and resources will be deployed to maintain water schemes following the withdrawal of funding agencies. The paper concludes that, to reduce poverty, interventions must be accompanied by broader packages of prolonged support, enabling communities to develop the skills and obtain the means to maintain improvements in the long term.

Suggested Citation

  • Meg Huby & Stuart Stevenson, 2003. "Meeting need and achieving sustainability in water project interventions," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 3(3), pages 196-209, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:3:y:2003:i:3:p:196-209
    DOI: 10.1191/1464993403ps061oa
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Aggarwal, Rimjhim M., 2000. "Possibilities and Limitations to Cooperation in Small Groups: The Case of Group-Owned Wells in Southern India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 28(8), pages 1481-1497, August.
    2. repec:wbk:wbpubs:13828 is not listed on IDEAS
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