Citizens of Naryn in the Kyrgyz Republic will enjoy improved wastewater services thanks to a joint €6.5 million investment by the EBRD, the Government of Switzerland and the European Union (EU) in the municipal water service infrastructure at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated the critical importance of high standards of hygiene and sanitation.

The Naryn financing package will include a 15-year EBRD loan of €2 million, a grant for capital investment and technical assistance of up to €3.5 million from the Government of Switzerland and a €1 million investment grant from the EU.

It will help address the consequences of decades of underinvestment in the municipal water and wastewater systems. The project will support the rehabilitation and extension of the main sewers, the purchase of operational and maintenance equipment and the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant in Naryn.

This will improve the city wastewater infrastructure resilience to climate change and public health challenges, optimise operating costs of the municipal water utility and increase the amount of citizens with regular access to wastewater services from 10,000 to 39,000 residents by 2024.

It builds on the successfully implemented previous phase of the project financed by a €2 million EBRD loan combined with a €3.6 million Swiss Government grant and mainly aimed at urgent repairs and the extension of the drinking water supply system in Naryn.

In addition, technical assistance of €1 million will be provided by the Government of Switzerland to help the Naryn water company implement the project, improve corporate practices and set up a stakeholder participation programme.

This support in the amount of more than 3 million Kyrgyz soms has been provided within the framework of the Swiss funded project “Effective Management and Prevention on Noncommunicable Diseases in Kyrgyzstan”. The project has purchased the necessary personal protective equipment and other medical supplies in the following amount: 

• Protective anti-epidemic suit – 2020;

• Medical disposable robe – 1335;

• Medical Disposable Mask – 6000;

• Protective glasses – 400;

• Respirator for protection against suspended matter – 99;

• Filters for respirators – 490;

• Examination gloves – 9700;

• Disposable spatula - 24100;

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers, 65 ml bottle – 2980;

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers, 900 ml bottle – 100;

• Biohazardous waste sack – 2900;

• Pulse oximeter – 30.

According to the World Health Organization, the COVID-19 virus is transmitted between people through close contact and droplet transmission. The people most at risk of infection are those who are in close contact with a COVID-19 patient or who care for COVID-19 patients.

Personal protective equipment protects healthcare workers and prevent infection transmission in healthcare facilities. The Swiss funded project ensures the effective control of coronavirus infection by providing vital personal protective equipment and other medical essential supplies to health workers.

Switzerland encourages citizens to stay at home to help health facilities reduce the burden.