Action
UNICEF advocates at the national and local government levels to adopt a strategy of community participation in all phases of a new, rural drinking water supply projects. Training materials have been specially developed to target technicians responsible for constructing these systems. The materials have been used to train over 500 staff from the Ministry of Water Resources. They emphasize the full participation of communities in the planning, execution, and maintenance of rural drinking water systems. Several communities have been supported with funds to build drinking water systems with the government. Follow-up assessments are being conducted to provide information on the best strategies for community mobilization and participation. In the area of water quality, the greatest emphasis has been on identifying communities affected by high concentrations of arsenic and fluoride in drinking water. To ensure clean, arsenic- and fluoride-free drinking water, the following actions have been taken: A geographic information system (GIS) was developed for mapping areas with high arsenic or fluoride concentrations in water wells A survey of water quality was conducted in 11 provinces. Roughly 1,200 samples were analyzed for arsenic concentrations, feces, and total coliform bacteria levels. UNICEF procured arsenic test kits for field screening and funded the design of a rapid water quality testing kit in China. UNICEF trained 3,850 government officials at the provincial and township levels who then screened over 150,000 wells for arsenic levels in 11 provinces. UNICEF developed educational materials (posters, VCDs, etc.) to raise awareness of the problem of arsenic and fluoride in drinking water. Funded research into the effects of arsenic-contaminated drinking water on children's intelligence and the health of pregnant women. Investigated the incidence of birth defects in areas affected by arsenic poisoning.
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