Celebrating Ten Years of the Water for the World Act
Overview
In the ten years since the Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act became law, USAID’s water, sanitation, and hygiene investments have helped millions of people gain access to safe drinking water and sanitation services and hygiene facilities. These programs have also improved water resources management and benefited communities across the globe.
The Water for the World Act mandated a whole-of-government strategy in recognition of water and sanitation’s cross-cutting role in today’s critical challenges. The 2022–2027 U.S. Global Water Strategy envisions a water-secure world, where people and nations have the water they need to be healthy, prosperous, stable, and resilient.
Over the last ten years, USAID has helped:
- 49 million gain access to drinking water services
- 42 million gain access to sanitation services
- Mobilize $1.4 billion in new funding for water and sanitation
Today, USAID focuses on 21 high priority countries where the need for drinking water and sanitation services, water insecurity, and support for women and children will have the greatest impact.
Blog
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USAID’s Enduring Investments in Ethiopia’s Lowlands Advance Sustainable Water Access Blog Whenever he is asked to name his top three priorities for Ethiopia’s lowland regions, the president of the Afar Regional State of Ethiopia, H.E. Awol Arba, never hesitates. “The first priority is water, the second priority is water, the… |
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Advancing Water Security in the Philippines: Partnership Timeline Article View Timeline For the past two decades, USAID has supported the Philippine Government to respond to challenges and opportunities surrounding access to water and sanitation services in urban and rural areas; innovative financing mechanisms;… |
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Amatsi Khumuliango: How USAID’s Long-Term Partnerships in Kenya Have Transformed Water and Sanitation Services Blog In rural Kenya, where only 35 percent of households have access to safe drinking water, Margaret worried about the quality of the water she carried home each day from a borehole near the village of Lumino. “We used to face a lot of challenges… |
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From Struggling Utility to Industry Leader: How a Water Utility’s Vision, Innovation, and Commitment are Providing Sustainable Drinking Water in Puerto Princesa City, Philippines Blog More than 80 percent of the population of Puerto Princesa have access to piped water in their homes. Photo credit: USAID/Safe Water With its white beaches, famed Underground River, and lush forests, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan is often called… |
Countries
On January 25, 2024, USAID kicked off the tenth anniversary year of Water for the World with a town hall event that highlighted progress and opportunities for achieving global water security and universal access to sanitation. Senior officials from the Agency’s Water Leadership Council reflected on what this means for the future of global health, women and girls’ empowerment, and food security.
Research Areas
On March 21, 2024, USAID Administrator Samantha Power addressed key stakeholders, including legislators, business leaders, and advocacy groups at a celebratory event on Capitol Hill marking the tenth anniversary. The event showcased how partnerships and policy efforts have expanded global access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene since the Act's passage.
Grants
The power of these investments is on full display in a photo exhibit in USAID’s Washington, DC Headquarters (also available online). The photographs demonstrate a wide range of programming enabled by the Water for the World Act around the world. We invite you to view the exhibit in the Ronald Reagan Building lobby throughout December or at the USAID Annex in January 2025.
