Solomon Islands Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Policy 2014.

The Solomon Islands Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Policy is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The objective of this Policy is to ensure easy access to sufficient quantity and quality of water, appropriate sanitation, and living in a safe and hygienic environment for all Solomon Islanders.
The cooperation and coordination between the government, funding agencies, national and international organizations, non‐governmental entities, faith‐based organizations, community-based and commercial organizations, as well as individuals involved in the sector will be strengthened. Social development will be promoted on the basis of gender equity and disability. Safe and appropriate water supplies will be supplied to all rural villagers of the Solomon Islands to meet their basic needs, to improve their health status as well as their livelihoods and to reduce the burden on women and children of collecting water. The impact of poor health on a household’s and the nation’s economy will be reduced through a hygienic environment and improved health services. The participation of the communities will be promoted to increase the sustainability of the relevant WASH projects. Water, hygiene and sanitation awareness at the national and local level will be raised through knowledge-sharing and education for the sustainable development of water and sanitation and hygiene services.
This Policy lays down strategies for the development, coordination, management, monitoring, evaluation, implementation and review of the provision of sustainable rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene development activities in the Solomon Islands. Water and sanitation sector will be developed in technical design, hygiene promotion, community engagement and gender equity. Health, dignity, equality and safety, and environmental sustainability will be ensured through conservation of water resources and improved water supply, sanitation and hygiene facilities, with a special emphasis on rural villagers. Institutional capacity building will be enhanced to assist, promote, plan, design and implement high quality, appropriate WASH facilities and hygiene practices, through regulations, standards, and minimum requirements.
The collaboration with national and international stakeholders will be strengthened in climate change adaptation and mitigation. Climate change references will be integrated into the Solomon Islands Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Design and Construction Standards. Community awareness will be raised on climate change and related subjects such as water security, water use efficiency and disaster preparedness.
The Ministry of Health and Medical services, Environmental Health Division, Rural Water Supply, and Sanitation Unit shall be responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of the management of rural WASH activities in line with the Environmental Health Act and its subsidiary legislation. Moreover, the National Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Unit shall be responsible for the coordination of the WASH sector, development of technical design and construction standards for WASH structures, community development training and awareness-raising, research and evaluation of evidence based practices as a basis for decision making, planning and coordination of the National Program, and the development of WASH database containing both government and non‐government development activities in conjunction with the National Health Information System.