A/HRC/42/47/Add.4 climate change, and develop social networks for securing a timely response to climate risks and to minimize associated losses and damages, particularly for vulnerable communities. 53. According to the response provided by the Government to the follow-up questionnaire, the National Irrigation Policy, which seeks to promote the development of agricultural activity that demands water by ensuring the efficient and effective management of water resources, including during livestock rearing and aquaculture activities, was approved in July 2018. According to the Government, this policy includes guidelines for the efficient management of irrigable areas, resource sustainability, investment in research and infrastructure with efficient and environmentally friendly technology, and strengthening institutional irrigators´ capacities on water management. Furthermore, the National Plan for the Integrated Management of Water Resources, includes the analysis of climatic scenarios to prepare water balances by hydrographic region and identifies current conflicts and those that could arise in the future due to the use of water for irrigation. 54. The Special Rapporteur notes the aim expressed in PLANAPS to monitor the uses of water for activities such as agriculture. He is, however, concerned that no specific measure has been put forward to prioritise water for human consumption and to rationalise the use of water for agriculture. While many uses of water such as food production are recognised in the international human rights framework, the human rights to water and sanitation require that priority shall be given to the use of water for drinking and domestic purposes. Taking into account the wide proportion of water used for agricultural uses in El Salvador, specific design, policies and measures should be implemented to prioritise domestic and drinking water uses of water over agricultural uses. LIMITED PROGRESS: The Special Rapporteur welcomes the approval of the National Irrigation Policy that promotes the efficient use of water and encourages the Government to rationalize and promote the efficient use of water for agriculture in order to increase its availability for human consumption. IV. Leaving no one behind A. Recommendation on rural populations RECOMMENDATION 15: “Where the rural population is concerned, the Special Rapporteur recommends that an assessment be made of the significant and successful efforts of the Social Investment Fund for Local Development, with the aim of replicating them, focusing on the adoption of appropriate and comprehensive solutions and sustainable management models that include both water supply and sanitation services.” (A/HRC/33/49/Add.1, para. 96(e)(i)). 55. The Special Rapporteur compared access to water and sanitation for populations in rural and urban areas during his country visit report. While 618,000 inhabitants of rural areas lacked access to drinking water, only 6,000 inhabitants in urban areas faced such a challenge. In rural areas, less than 60 per cent of houses were connected to the water network, whilst in towns 85 per cent of the population was connected. With regard to sanitation, he pointed out that 82 per cent of the population in urban areas had access to improved sanitation, whereas in rural areas only 60 per cent of the population did. Furthermore, 7 per cent of rural population performed open defecation. 56. The goals and strategies of PLANAPS related to vulnerability focus more specifically on technical aspects of vulnerability in drinking water systems, rather than social and economic forms of vulnerability. Thus, any eventual benefits derived from its actions risk overlooking people in particular situations of vulnerability for whom attention is required at early stages of planning. The most relevant measure with regards to reducing vulnerabilities is the creation of a technical and financial support program to protect water systems from accidents and emergencies. For instance, in PLANAPS, the role of FISDL is outlined. The Government responded that the “Annual Measurement of Institutional Strategic Results” of the FISDL from January 2018 assesses the implications for the 15