U.S. State Department to release 'Safe Water and Sanitation Strategy,' marking new commitment to water for world's poor

June 1, 2006
The U.S. State Department is set to publish its "Safe Water and Sanitation Strategy," a plan for expanding access to safe, affordable drinking water and sanitation throughout the world, announced Water Advocates. The Strategy is required by the landmark Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 (Pub. L. No. 109-121). The Water for the Poor Act makes the provision of safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene a formal priority of U.S. foreign policy...

WASHINGTON, DC, May 31, 2006 -- The U.S. State Department is set to publish its "Safe Water and Sanitation Strategy," a plan for expanding access to safe, affordable drinking water and sanitation throughout the world, announced Water Advocates. The Strategy is required by the landmark Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 (Pub. L. No. 109-121). The Water for the Poor Act makes the provision of safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene a formal priority of U.S. foreign policy.

Currently 1.1 billion people around the world lack access to safe drinking water and 2.6 billion people are without basic sanitation. Diseases related to unsafe water and inadequate sanitation cause over 80 percent of illnesses in the developing world and kill between 2 and 5 million children each year. Access to safe drinking water and sanitation serves as a catalyst for better public health, education, poverty reduction, and gender equality. It also helps bring stability to areas of conflict and crisis where citizens are disenfranchised and desperate for the most basic necessities.

"The Safe Water and Sanitation Strategy will set forth our government's efforts to address this tremendous humanitarian need," said David Douglas, President of Water Advocates. "If the Strategy is done right, it will help the government do its part and complement the efforts already underway in the private sector and the faith community."

At a recent Capitol Hill briefing on safe drinking water and sanitation hosted by the Rotary Club of Washington D.C. and Water Advocates, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Congressman Earl Blumenauer, the Senate and House sponsors of the bill, reaffirmed the importance of the Strategy in implementing their vision of safe water for the world's poor. In his remarks, Senator Frist stated that as a physician he is acutely aware of the deadly impact of unsafe water and waterborne diseases, and of the opportunity for the U.S. government, led by the Department of State, to assume a greater leadership role in reducing these millions of preventable illnesses and deaths.

WHO: U.S. Department of State
WHAT: Safe Water and Sanitation Strategy
WHEN: June 1, 2006
WHERE: Website scheduled to be available June 1: www.state.gov/g/oes/water
WHY: This strategy paper is required by the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 (Pub. L. No. 109-121). The Water for the Poor Act makes the provision of safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene a formal priority of U.S. foreign policy.

Water Advocates is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing American support for worldwide access to safe, affordable, and sustainable drinking water and adequate sanitation. For more information: www.wateradvocates.org.

Also see:
-- "USAID Initiative Brings Clean Water to West Africa"
-- "Sri Lanka Water Supply Still Suffers Effects of 2004 Tsunami"
-- "Water-Management Plan Aims To Cut Poverty in Southern Africa"
-- "Water System Improvements Lead to Better Health in Honduras"
-- "Nigeria Receives Aid To Manage At-Risk Water Ecosystems"
-- "OPIC Funds Help Supply Kenyans with Potable Water"

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