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ADB and Japan Partner to Strengthen Water Security for All in Asia and the Pacific

By Asian Development Bank

March 31^st, 2023

It’s estimated that about 500 million people in the region do not yet have access to basic water supplies, and 1.14 billion people lack access to sanitation.

Climate change increases risk and intensifies water management challenges. Asia and the Pacific is the most disaster-affected region in the world, home to more than 40% of disasters and 84% of people affected globally.

Asia and the Pacific, the region experts have identified will bear the brunt of climate change, is already experiencing its consequences.

It is facing the destructive effects of climate change, from extreme winter conditions to prolonged drought to severe urban flooding.

Flooded photo in Pakistan. (Rahim Mirza/ADB)

Streets flood at the Ebeye, Marshall Islands. (Photo by: Eric Sales/ADB)

From 2011 to 2020, an estimated 31,000 people in developing Asia died because of floods, and 4.9 million were made homeless. Damages from floods and droughts are estimated at $244 billion during the same period.

Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) dropped 455 mm (17.9 in) of rain on Metro Manila in a span of 24 hours on 26 September 2009. (Photo by: Eric Sales/ADB)

A child studying outdoors near the river embankment of the Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project in Jhelum river. (Photo by: Nasr ur Rahman/ADB)

Damaged houses of Residents of Brgy Sitio Wawa. Rodriguez, Rizal November 27, 2020. (Photo by: Geric Cruz/ADB)

By 2030, 55% of Asians will live in urban areas creating additional demands for water supply and wastewater services. Already, it’s estimated that 80% of wastewater is discharged untreated, contributing to rising environmental pollution and rising health risks.

The treatment plants provide 31.5 million gallons of clean drinking water a day to Bhopal residents. (photo by: Ariel Javellana/ADB)

A boy refreshing himself from the heat at community water in Jhelum city. (Photo by: Nasr ur Rahman/ADB)

Agriculture accounts for around 75% of freshwater use but water resources are coming under increasing stress. There is a need to boost agriculture productivity and water use efficiency in response to rising demand for food.

ADB and Japan Partner to Strengthen Water Security for All in Asia and the Pacific

Kumamoto Declaration

At the 4th Asia and the Pacific Water Forum, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), along with development partners and government leaders, endorsed the “Kumamoto Declaration,” which discusses challenges amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and its recovery.[1] The Declaration also reinstated the commitment of Asia-Pacific leaders to work towards SDG 6: achieving access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation for all by promoting climate change mitigation measures, green infrastructure in harmony with nature, and protection from disaster risk.

‘Water problems are inextricably linked to food security and energy security. We will consider the various aspects of water value and deploy sustainable solutions by managing water resources more effectively starting from glaciers, adopting a source to sea approach, and better integrate water resource management with disaster risk reduction, environmental improvement, and greater water use efficiency.'[2]

‘[We need to] [i]ncrease policy coherence and develop legal and other frameworks at all levels, taking into account a source-to-sea and IWRM approach to restore and keep a sound water cycle. Not only freshwater, but also solid water including glaciers, aquifers, ocean and islands should be within the scope of the framework.’ - Yoshiro Mori, Chair of the Summit and former Prime Minister of Japan

A group of people rushes to get into boats as they travel to their villages near the Sadarghat terminal in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Photo by: Abir Abdullah/ADB)

ADB, Government of Japan’s Joint Efforts Towards Achieving SDG 6: Water and Sanitation for All

For almost four decades, the Government of Japan has partnered with ADB to support efforts in helping vulnerable communities across Asia and the Pacific.

As ADB’s largest financing partner in the water sector, it has provided an estimated $544 million in grant co-financing since 2011.

In May 2000, the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) was created to provide direct grant assistance to the most vulnerable groups in ADB’s developing member countries. In September 2021, the fund was enhanced and refocused to prioritize four areas: universal health coverage, climate change and disaster risk management, quality infrastructure investment, and public finance management, in addition to poverty reduction. Renamed as the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR), JFPR works with ADB’s Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department to take advantage of their sectoral and thematic expertise, as well as the operational experience of ADB in ensuring the impact of JFPR projects.

Since 2011, $221.7 million was allocated to ADB’s Water and Other Urban Infrastructure and Services, and Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development sectors.

The Japan Special Fund (JSF) also supports ADB’s technical assistance (TA) program with grants administered by ADB. It helps ADB developing member countries (DMCs) restructure their economies in response to the changing global environment, broaden their opportunities for new investment, and prepare loan projects.

The Government of Japan was also the first contributor to the High-Level Technology Fund (HLTF), a trust fund that provides grants for technical assistance and investment projects, and the recruitment of technology experts to promote the integration of high-level technology and innovative solutions throughout the project cycle—from identification to implementation.

Since 2018, the HLTF has contributed $17.29 million to water sector operations.

FEATURED PROJECTS

Sustainable Water Supply

Water supply sources in Dhaka depend on groundwater, but current groundwater abstraction is beyond sustainable yield. Funded by JFPR, the Strengthening Monitoring, and Enforcement in the Meghna River for Dhaka’s Sustainable Water Supply technical assistance project helped ensure the long-term water security of Dhaka City through monitoring and enforcement of Meghna River’s quality.

Local Marma women return home from the village market after shopping, Boli Para, Thanchi, Banderban. (photo by: Abir Abdullah/ADB)

Woman watering a paddy field. (Photo by: MR Hasan/ADB)

The transition from groundwater to surface water or conjunctive use can be costly and technically complex. The Khulna Water Supply Project, cofinanced by the ADB and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, developed a new surface water source and avoided the recurring high costs of desalination treatment technology. The project financed an entirely new system—from intake to tap—for 65% of the city’s population.

Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction

Cambodia is highly vulnerable to climate change, with increasingly unpredictable floods and droughts. This JFPR grant project helped reduce the negative impacts of floods and other disasters to 18 districts and 54 communes in the six most flood-prone provinces in Cambodia, resulting in a 64% reduction of affected households and a 55% reduction of economic losses during the flood season.

Rural lands are experiencing drought. (photo by: Eric Sales/ADB)

Floating Village, Chhnok Troy Commune, Krakor district, Chhnok Troy Commune, Krakor district, Cambodia (Photo by: Gerhard Joren/ADB)

Yi Young with wife Vorng Nm, and their children showing their black water sewer processing unit (toilet) to be installed at their house at the Floating village at Chhnok Troy Commune. Krakor district, Cambodia. (Photo by: Gerhard Joren/ADB).

Improving Water Resources Management and Agricultural Productivity

Cofinanced by ADB and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, a project in Uzbekistan will improve water resources management and enhance agricultural productivity in Bukhara province and two districts in Navoi province. The project will develop a sustainable and reliable water supply for irrigated agriculture in the 250,000-hectare main command area in the Amu Bukhara Irrigation System and provide drinking water for 725,000 people.

Greenhouse owners and workers benefit from the CAREC regional project funded by ADB. (photo by: Eric Sales/ADB)

Woman drinks water at a water station along the Ayni-Panjakent road. (Photo by: Nozim Kalandarov/ADB)

Passing passengers drink water at the beverage store along the Ayni-Panjakent road. (Photo by: Nozim Kalandarov/ADB)

Prevention and Control of COVID-19 through WASH and Health Initiatives

In Nepal, an ADB-approved JFPR project aims to improve the capacity of the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management and selected secondary and small towns to respond better to the COVID-19 pandemic and similar future health emergencies. The project will use community interventions to provide essential WASH infrastructure and services, behavior-centered community mitigation measures to contain the pandemic, and manage community unease and misinformation.

Nepal's daily life amid coronavirus pandemic lockdown in Nepal between 24 March to 27 April 2020. (Photo by: Narendra Shrestha/ADB)

Manju Bhandari carries a water pot after receiving water at her house in Dhurkot, Gulmi distrit, Nepal. (Photo by: Narenda Shrestha/ADB)

Improving Water Security and Resilience through Digitalization

The establishment of an Asia-Pacific Water Resilience Hub, through a Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction technical assistance, will build capacity and increase awareness and knowledge about resilience in water supply and sanitation services delivery and water resources management.

The project will also provide preparation and implementation support to integrate information and communication technology and digital and remote sensing technologies in projects and programs.

The Ebeye Water Supply and Sanitation Project links all households in Ebeye, Marshall Islands, to upgraded freshwater and sewage facilities that reduce water leaks and sewage overflows. (Photo by: Eric Sales/ADB)

Pump operator and beneficiary Nasima Akhter (35) punches the prepaid card into the vending machine, Pump house at Nijpanua, Radha Nagar, Chagolnaiya, Feni. (Photo by: Abir Abdullah/ADB)

Mainstreaming Water Resilience

In November 2022, the Japan Special Fund contributed $2 million to the Mainstreaming Water Resilience in Asia and the Pacific technical assistance, specifically to support Water Organization Partnerships (WOPs) for Resilience. WOPs is a capacity-building initiative that aims to equip water utilities in Asia and the Pacific with the right skills, knowledge, and technology for more sustainable operations. WOPs feature a twinning platform that brings together experienced and efficient utility operators to mentor emerging or developing utilities on various aspects of their operations.

Staff working at the control center of the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant. The Suva Nausori Water Supply and Sewerage Project improve the water supply and sewerage services in Suva–Nausori urban corridor. (Photo by: Eric Sales/ADB)

Neela Rani Biswas (54) a beneficiary and executive member of the Water Management Group (WMG) monitors as Krishnopod Biswas measures saline level of the water at Mulia, Narail. (Photo: Abir Abdullah/ADB)

Footnotes

[1] Summary report, 23-24 April 2022, 4th Asia and the Pacific Water Summit. IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin. https://enb.iisd.org/4th-asia-pacific-water-summit-summary. [2] Asia-Pacific leaders call for source-to-sea management. Ruth Matthews, Jorji Frederiksen. SIWI. https://siwi.org/latest/asia-pacific-leaders-call-for-source-to-sea-management/

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FootNotes