Kyrgyzstan: Water Supply and Sanitation Universal Access Project

DESCRIPTION

Kyrgyzstan is a lower-middle-income economy with volatile economic growth. The economy is highly vulnerable to climate change and heavily dependent on climate-sensitive sectors such as water, energy, and agriculture. Water supply and sanitation (WSS) are essential enablers of socioeconomic growth and human capital in Kyrgyzstan. Although it has made substantial progress in the past two decades, the lack of access to WSS services and reliable high-quality services remains challenging, particularly in the rural areas of remote regions. The project will finance the construction and upgrade of water supply infrastructures with climate-resilient features and prioritized sanitation infrastructures for social institutions such as hospitals and schools in 109 villages and small towns in the Chui, Issyk-Kul, and Osh regions, benefitting around 373,000 people.

The Project Preparation Special Fund (PPSF) grant from AIIB will enhance technical readiness, ensure a high level of Environmental and Social (E&S) safeguards, and support project preparation and ensure smooth and rapid launching of implementation. The scope of work to be covered by the PPSF grant will include detailed engineering designs, baseline studies, E&S documents, and grant management. With the support of the PPSF, the implementing agency expects to deliver successful infrastructure investments that are sustainable, energy –efficient, and climate-resilient.

The PPSF grant will be implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, and the State Institution for the Development of Drinking Water Supply and Wastewater Disposal of Kyrgyzstan.