1. Country Presentation Bhutan
Regional workshop on Ecological Sanitation Sri Lanka April 2009

2. Outline Country background Sanitation Policy MDG progress
Ecological sanitation
Way forward
Challenges
Positive policy impact (SACOSAN)
Conclusions

3. Background Area (sq. km): 38,394 Population (2005-2006) 634,982
Life expectancy ( )
Infant immunization coverage (2008) 90%
Literacy rate ( ) %

4. Sanitation Policy 1992 Royal Decree on Sanitation
1 Household 1 latrine policy
Sanitation promotion without material subsidies
2002 RWSS policy
No stand alone sanitation policy
No mention of Ecosan
Facilitate community self-prioritisation of health issues, self- planning and implementation
Government provide sanitation facilities to educational, health and religious institutions (UNICEF)

5. MDG Progress

6. Health Impact?

7. Ecological sanitation
New concept
Few water and sanitation engineers, teachers, health officers and agriculturist trained on Eco-sanitation
Pilot projects to be taken up shortly in 4 districts ( including two schools and rural communities)
Learn from other countries experiences

8. Way forward Improve rural sanitation and hygiene
Development of appropriate, affordable and sustainable technology and approach
Technical Assistance from SNV
Posted 1 long term International Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist
4 long term National TAs
1 ST Sanitation technology TA
1 ST TA for developing baseline data
2-year piloting phase (4 blocks selected)
Sanitation policy developed
Review and plan for country wide roll out

9. Challenges Lack of stand alone sanitation policy
Difficulty due to rugged terrain (geographic)
Inadequate financial resources
Inadequate technical capacity and dedicated staff at various level
Simple technology but implicated by behaviour change issue
Coordination amongst stakeholders

10. Positive policy impact (SACOSAN)
Adequate focus on sanitation programme
Greater attention on Institutional development
Better commitment for resource allocation

11. Conclusions Water and sanitation: Government’s 3rd top priority
Good coverage but need quality improvement
(Need to climb up the sanitation ladder)
Eco-sanitation is a new concept but being explored
Acknowledge UNICEF Regional Office and SEI for facilitation initiatives
Learn from other countries’ experiences
Contribute to the goal of total sanitation in the Regional.
Thank you