Sri Lanka: NGOs improve collaboration on water

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Sri Lanka have gained credibility through interventions in the water sector to reduce poverty and to raise the standard of living of marginalised rural communities.

Interventions have been target oriented, and the outputs, effects and impacts have been monitored and documented. However, findings and lessons have not been documented or disseminated in a systematic manner.

Sharing lessons

In collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA) and coordinated by the University of Peradenia, Cap-Net Lanka recently organised a symposium to provide a forum for NGOs to share these lessons. This was the first time that NGOs had come together at national level to discuss these issues. Speakers warned that lack of coordination and information sharing increased the risks of reinventing the wheel.

The main conclusions were:

1. WATSAN is important to poverty alleviation
2. Successful WATSAN programmes include human development in parallel with technological intervention
3. Backup is necessary to support technological adaptation
4. Contributions by beneficiaries are a key to success and sustainability
5. Guidelines developed for water resource development can be used by Government and NGOs
6. NGOs can implement short term projects more successfully if they draw on experiences from similar projects
7. Dissemination programmes are required to share information
8. A coordinating body is needed for NGO water activities.

For further details, contact Dr. M.I.M. Mowjood, country coordinator Cap-Net Lanka: e-mail, or visit the Cap-Net Lanka web site.

Keywords

• Information and communication
• Water resources management