The World Bank (WB) has approved a credit package worth US$200 million for a water supply and sanitation program in eight Red River Delta provinces.

According to the WB in Vietnam, 1.7 million people will have better access to clean water under the programme while 650,000 others will enjoy better environmental condition through the national target programme on rural water supply sanitation.

Victoria Kwakwa, WB Country Director for Vietnam said the country has made impressive progress in economic growth and poverty reduction.

The WB-funded programme will increase rural people’s access to clean water and hygiene facilities, thus improve their living conditions. This is an important factor to ensure the sustainable development of the country, she said.

Besides, the programme will help improve plan making, supervising and evaluating capacity for the target localities, she added.

This programme is part of activities in the WB’s Vietnam Country Partnership Strategy for the 2012-2016 period.