Water Co-operation between Cultures: Partnerships with Indigenous Peoples for Sustainable Water and Sanitation Services

Indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities suffer lower levels of access to improved water and sanitation services due to socio-economic and cultural marginalisation and geographical challenges. Lack of cultural sensitivity and operational limitations tend to render water and sanitation interventions less effective and services unsustainable. Field studies and action research realised in six communities in the Autonomous Regions of Nicaragua reveal the need to build inclusive and long-term partnerships, based on mutual respect and trust, between rural indigenous peoples and external agents to generate sustainable water and sanitation services. Indeed, the major need expressed by communities was that of increased respect from government and development agencies.