Summary of publication
Australia's support to Solomon Water started in 2011, in response to the Solomon Islands Government's request for an urgent intervention to support the organisation from collapse. To date, Australia has provided a total of AUD16,675,700 in support to Solomon Water under two phases over seven years (2011-2018). Under phase one (approx, AUD3 million, 2011-2013), Australia provided grant funding to Solomon Water to introduce urgent reforms, including, the development and implementation of the Short-Term Recovery Strategy and Action Plan (RAP). Under phase two (2013-2018), Australia provided: (1) direct funding of AUD9,083,153 to Solomon Water for the implementation of the Development Plan, and (2) total funding of AUD4,592,547.28 for long and short term technical assistance.
In May 2016, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) commissioned an independent evaluation to assess the performance of Australia's support to Solomon Water through the Development Plan and associated technical assistance.
Overall, the evaluation found that the second phase of Australia's urban water program in Solomon Islands has successfully built upon previous support to Solomon Water, and that the objective of the Development Plan has been largely achieved. The program achieved some impressive results, particularly in the improvement of water supply to Honiara residents.
The evaluation report outlines 11 key recommendations for Solomon Water and DFAT. DFAT is supportive of all of the recommendations and, is working with Solomon Water and key stakeholders to implement most of the recommendations.