The government has requested ADB support to improve urban services in (i) secondary towns including provincial headquarters, and towns of cultural, touristic, and economic importance; and (ii) small towns that are being prepared under the ongoing Urban Water Supply and Sanitation (Sector) Project (UWSSP). Selection criteria for supported subprojects will be identified before fact-finding.

The project will be aligned with the following impact: public health in secondary and small towns improved. The outcome of the project is access to resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban services in secondary and small towns increased. The outcome will be achieved through the following three outputs:

Output 1: Resilient urban water infrastructure commissioned. The project will support the development of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI)-responsive, climate- and disaster-resilient water supply and drainage infrastructure and systems in secondary and small towns. This is broadly expected to include the construction of or improvements to raw water intake systems, water treatment plants, storage reservoirs, transmission and distribution networks (including district metering areas to enhance system efficiency), metered household connections, and natural and artificial drainage systems.

Output 2: Sanitation infrastructure and systems strengthened. The project will support the development of GESI-responsive, climate- and disaster-resilient sanitation infrastructure and systems in secondary and small towns. This is expected to include (i) construction of or improvements to sewers, pumping stations, and service connections; (ii) supply of fecal sludge emptying and transport equipment where sewers are not feasible; (iii) construction of or improvements to sewage and fecal sludge treatment plants, and nature-based treatment systems such as constructed wetlands; and (iv) design of solid waste management interventions. Strengthened sanitation infrastructure and systems will provide better services to all people, especially benefitting women, children, the poor, and the disadvantaged.

Output 3: Enabling environment for sustainable and resilient urban services strengthened. This is expected to include various initiatives designed to strengthen the capacity of government, municipalities, TDF, communities, and other stakeholders to deliver, manage, maintain, and strengthen assets and systems developed through the project, and to be more resilient to the impacts of climate change and natural hazards. Specific initiatives may include (i) GESI-responsive multi-hazard risk management planning for new and existing urban assets, (ii) hygiene awareness and behavioral change campaigns, and (iii) advocacy to promote willingness to pay and financial sustainability of urban services.

The cause-effect relationships between access to urban services and public health are well established and are recognized in the government's policy frameworks for the WASH sector. The main challenge in the realization of the project impact is expected to be the sustainability of project interventions, in particular, the long-term O&M; of assets, its associated funding, and sustaining positive hygiene behaviors. This assumption is supported by a review of lessons learned from water and sanitation projects in Nepal and South Asia. For this reason, the enabling environment will be a strong focus in due diligence and project design.

Safeguard Categories
Environment B
Involuntary Resettlement B
Indigenous Peoples B

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ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF ADB

The Accountability Mechanism is an independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by an Asian Development Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Accountability Mechanism, they may investigate to assess whether the Asian Development Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can learn more about the Accountability Mechanism and how to file a complaint at: http://www.adb.org/site/accountability-mechanism/main.