LONDON, England - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and The Coca-Cola Company have pledged a $22 million investment for the next five year phase of their Water and Development Alliance (WADA).
The alliance is designed to provide safe water access and sanitation services to communities in developing nations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.
Between 2016 and 2021, the WADA partnership seeks to promote improved water management and expand improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services for poor and marginalized people in developing countries.
New investments through WADA will support integrated approaches to improved WASH services in Africa.
In the first phase of the WADA partnership (2005 to 2017), 35 projects were implemented in 30 countries in Africa, Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.
At the end of 2015, the Alliance had reached over 600,000 people with improved water access, over 250,000 with improved sanitation, and improved the management of over 440,000 hectares.
Globally, 663 million people live without access to an improved drinking water source, and 2.4 billion people lack access to basic sanitation.
These access issues are compounded by climate change, growing urbanization, and water scarcity.
Gayle Smith, USAID administrator, said: "Globally, more than a third of people do not have access to the water or sanitation services they need to grow food, build businesses, and keep their families healthy. By tapping into the resources and expertise of the private sector, we can help close this dangerous gap. That's why we are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with The Coca-Cola Company and its Foundations to scale and sustain water services for the communities that need them most."
Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, added: "Safe access to water and sanitation services are the foundation for a healthy community. The work achieved through this partnership supports building stronger communities in areas of need and demonstrates the value of cross-sector partnership. Launching the next phase of impact with one of our longest standing and most valued partners, USAID, will help bring safe water to thousands of people in communities we serve and continue to support our water replenishment work."
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