Priorities

1. Solid waste management. 2. Water. 3. Infrastructure – Road building/maintenance and street lighting. 4. Sanitation -potential pollution hazards, sewage and fresh water aquifers. 5. Government Services – Capacity building for local government officials. 6. Schools and Healthcare – expansion of schools, assistance to remedy current shortage of medical staff and medications.

Needs

Improve efficiency of municipal management process, restructuring of planning. Aid municipalities in collecting past due revenues and receivables. Assist municipalities in identifying reasonable and economically feasible revenue generating projects.

Main Findings

Solid Waste Management selected as 1st priority, as an estimated average of an additional 60 tons p/d were produced, resulting in an average total of 150 tons p/d, which exceeds collection capacity. Water was the 2nd most urgent priority in 23/36 municipalities, with threat of contamination to over-ground networks and deterioration in water purity cited as concerns. Street lighting was another concern. In some municipalities lighting was being rationed as the municipalities were indebted to electricity companies. There was an accompanying increase in crime, especially cattle theft. Education government service priority. Many schools imposed two-shift timings, shortening classes from 45 to 35 mins. Overcrowded classrooms were the most reported consequence of the influx of Syrian refugees. Municipalities reported a decrease in quality of health services from “good”/”very good” to “poor”/”acceptable”. Lack of medication the most often-cited change.