poverty reduction

Poverty is defined in socio-economic terms, and perceived as a condition in which people’s livelihood capacity is inadequate to meet their basic needs (ADB, 2004). New elements have been recognized and identified as crucial for sustainable poverty alleviation programme in addition to economic consideration. According to World Bank, Asian Development Bank and UNDP, ‘new’ poverty concept focuses on three main components.

i. Pro-poor growth through area based growth with equity programme and infrastructure investment in poor regions, environmental management and creation of labour intensive employment. ii. Good governance focuses on developing an enabling environment for sustainable development and poverty reduction through establishment of accountability and transparency of state polices and activities, more effective participation of all citizens in public decision making process and management of delivery of public goods and services and promoting and protecting human rights. iii. Social development by promoting human and social capital, capacity building and empowerment of marginalized communities, strengthening local institutions and provision of micro finance for income generating activities.

Although relationship between poverty and water is complex, it has been proven that, sustainable management of water is crucial in poverty alleviation. Safe water and sanitation can improve the livelihood of poor people through enhanced health condition and well being, availability of more time for household and bread winning activities and improved childrens’ education and dignity. Poor communities tend to suffer the greatest health burden from inadequate water supplies and sanitation and as a result of ill health are unable to move out of a poverty cycle. Poor household lose productive investment opportunities by loss of income due to disproportionate amount of spending on medical treatment and loss of labour time.

The effect of water poverty is higher among women in developing countries compared to men. The research findings show that, women and girls in the rural areas have to devote a large amount of time and energy to fetching water. This process has lead schools attending girls kept out of schools frequently. Rural water supply projects implemented through DRA approaches address the issues of area-based development, empowerment of women and marginalized, people participation in decision making and good government at local level, strengthening of local institutions and promotion of human capital and avenues for water related income earning activities. Case studies conducted in Sri Lanka and several other countries evidenced that access to household water supply has an impact on poverty. Poor people depend upon water in four key ways.

• as an input into production
• for the maintenance of health and welfare
• to ensure ecosystems integrity
• to reduce vulnerability to hazards

Links to other cross-cutting themes:

• Targets and MDGs
• Livelihoods
• Sustainability

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