News

MPs endorse WaterAid

In the last session of Parliament WaterAid had its first Early Day Motion at the House of Commons raising the political profile of both WaterAid and water and sanitation issues.

Don Foster MP, a visitor to WaterAid's work in Ethiopia, tabled the Motion which noted 'WaterAid's valuable contribution to eradicating poverty in its first 21 years', and praised the dedication of WaterAid and its supporters.

It also noted 'with extreme concern that 1.1 billion people in the world do not have access to safe water and 2.4 billion people do not have access to adequate sanitation,' calling on the Government to argue for the prioritisation of water and sanitation at the World Summit.

Many supporters wrote to their MPs asking them to sign the motion and WaterAid was delighted to get over 83 signatures.

Thank you to everyone who wrote to their MPs about this issue. If you would like to find out more about WaterAid's campaign work please call Sally Warren on 020 7793 4500 or email campaigns@wateraid.org

Scaling up in Mozambique

WaterAid has recently signed an agreement with DfID and UNICEF to provide technical assistance to a large-scale integrated water, sanitation and hygiene promotion programme in the Zambézia Province of Mozambique.

The project will replicate much of the work that WaterAid currently carries out in the neighbouring Niassa province. WaterAid will be the technical advisors to the Zambézia Department of Water and Sanitation who will be carrying out the project work.

WaterAid will advise the department on how to implement the Government's demand responsive approach (where the Government supports water projects when communities ask for assistance and contribute 2-10% of the capital costs), the types of technology that are suitable and how communities should be involved.

WaterAid aims not only to build the capacity of the local government but also non governmental organisations in the region. Policy studies and documentation will also be included in the programme.

This is an important step for our project work in Mozambique and demonstrates the prominent role that WaterAid has gained in the water and sanitation sector there.

Much of the programme in the Zambézia province will replicate WaterAid's work in Niassa. To read more about our work there, take a look at the Living Well article.

Levered income
The funds for this project will be supplied by DfID and managed by UNICEF with WaterAid taking an advisory role. Funds like these are called levered income - money that flows directly from donors to partners (rather than through WaterAid's books) which WaterAid still retains a significant influence over.

Through programmes such as this WaterAid is able to achieve a wider impact than it could alone.

Rotarians and WaterAid working together

WaterAid is delighted to announce that it has been chosen by the President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland as the preferred International Charity for 2002/03. A truly great 21st birthday present!

WaterAid is being promoted among the 1800 member clubs as a charity worthy of their support in the coming year. It is hoped that Rotarians will rally round and raise sufficient funds to help 21,000 people in the Dodoma and Kiteto Districts of Tanzania.

WaterAid has received loyal and dedicated support from Rotarians since 1984 and we are delighted at this new opportunity to reaffirm the relationship.

If you are a member of a Rotary Club and would like more information on how you can get involved please rotary@wateraid.org or call the Community Fundraising team on 020 7793 4550.

Security update

Nepal
In Nepal the Government-declared state of emergency is still in place with the continuing Maoist insurgency causing daily confrontations between the army, police and Maoists. This has affected the safety of many of WaterAid and its partner NEWAH's rural projects. Because of the continued risk, WaterAid and NEWAH are currently working on a state of emergency programme in safer areas such as the Terai in the south of Nepal.

Urban projects in Kathmandu are also being scaled up and the additional staff capacity is also being used to carry out research projects in the safer areas of the country. However, because of the continuing situation it is likely that WaterAid's project activity will be reduced in the coming year in Nepal.

Madagascar
In Madagascar the seven-month conflict that had devastated the country and brought the economy to its knees ended in July.

The former president of Madagascar, Didier Ratsiraka, has left after the international community recognised his rival Marc Ravalomanana as the new president and following military defeats around the country.

Although the capacity to visit projects was reduced by blockades limiting travelling and fuel supplies in the country most of WaterAid projects were able to continue during this difficult time.