Maputo, 31 Jan (AIM) –The United States, through its Agency for International Development (USAID), says that it is fundraising 21 million dollars to support Mozambique in the construction of water supply facilities and a decent sanitary system.
According to USAID, which is responsible for distributing the US government’s foreign aid, Mozambique is part of the five-year High Priority Country programme, an initiative launched on Monday as part of the Global Water Strategy.
The programme was launched during the three-day working visit to Mozambique of the USAID assistant administrator, Isobel Coleman.
“Ultimately, USAID’s investments will mobilize additional private sector funding of up to 21 million dollars for the WASH sector”, reads the note.
USAID emphasizes that the need for secure access to water, sanitation and hygiene in Mozambique is significant, since in 2022 it was estimated that only 63 per cent of Mozambicans had access to basic water services.
“USAID/Mozambique’s investments in the water and sanitation sector will provide clean water and sanitation for at least 325,000 people. Thousands of families across northern Mozambique will be less susceptible to diseases and have an improved quality of life. This work will also provide basic water and sanitation services for 90 schools and clinics”, reads the note.
According to the document, thousands of Mozambican children will have access to water and toilets, improving not only health, but retention in school.
“It will strengthen the Mozambican water and sanitation institutions by developing and strengthening laws, policies, and regulations while also improving the capacity of water service providers, regulators, and local government officials”, reads the note.
The US considers that this strategy marks a new era of collaboration and progress and that support for water, sanitation and hygiene is the critical component of the US government’s “broader assistance in Mozambique. In Mozambique, USAID is investing more than 100 million dollars in WASH activities over the next four years.”
The U.S. Government, the statement says, provides over 812 million dollars in annual assistance to improve the quality of health care, education, to promote economic prosperity, and stability to support the overall development of the nation.
(AIM)
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