Venture to bring water and sanitation

AFRICA’S health charity, Amref Health Africa and the Coca Cola Africa Foundation have announced a joint venture to promote access to clean water and sanitation in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

According to a press release received on Saturday, Coca Cola Africa Foundation said it will provide US $4.2 million (R54.24m) to help the Nairobi-based Amref Health Africa implement projects that enhances access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation to an estimated 500 000 people in the four countries.

Kenya’s principal secretary in the state Department of Water Services, Fred Segor hailed the new partnership saying it will have positive health and economic outcomes on local communities in the region.

“Governments in this region are keen to join alliances with charity groups to tackle an endemic water and sanitation crisis that undermines sustainable development,” Segor said.

Millions benefit

He noted that under-served communities in Kenya’s arid regions and urban slums will benefit from the novel programme to expand access to clean water and sanitation.

The Coca Cola Africa Foundation has established a longterm partnership with Amref Health Africa to address water, sanitation and hygiene challenges on the continent through the flagship Replenish Africa Initiative (Rain).

According to the president of Coca Cola Africa Foundation, Susan Mboya, this initiative aims to reach six million people with clean water and improved sanitation in the world’s second largest continent.

“We recognise the urgency to help local communities in this region access safe drinking water and modern sanitation in order to ensure they are healthy and productive,” Mboya said.

Charity organisations have established strategic alliances with governments and industry to tackle poverty, water insecurity, diseases and ecological depletion which have escalated in a huge swathe of east and horn of Africa region. – Xinhua