Residents in northern mountainous Cao Bằng Province enjoy clean water. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — A national strategy on clean water supply and sanitation in rural areas by 2030, with a longer term objective to 2045, was announced on Tuesday by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and UNICEF in Việt Nam.

The main aim is that by 2030, 65 per cent of the population will have access to clean water that meets standards set by the Ministry of Health; and 100 per cent of households, schools and health stations will have basic toilets.

By 2045, 100 per cent of people will gain access to clean water and safe and sustainable sanitation; and 50 per cent of rural residential areas will have domestic wastewater collection systems.

After 10 years of implementing a national strategy on clean water supply and sanitation in rural areas, a total of 88.5 per cent of residents in rural areas use hygienic clean water, of whom 51 per cent have access to clean water that meets the standards set by the Ministry of Health; and 75 per cent of rural households have basic toilets.

The strategy has helped improve rural residents living conditions and boosted socio-economic development.

Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Việt Nam, said that clean water and rural sanitation were core issues for developing smart human resources, thereby promoting labour productivity and economic growth.

Access to clean water and good sanitation means that people are well protected against the risk of diseases.

Việt Nam has made great strides in improving rural water and sanitation, according to Rana. — VNS