The Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) partnership with the Government of Jordan transformed the nation’s water infrastructure, creating new opportunities for growth and stability in one of the most water-poor countries in the world. The $275.1 million investment helped improve water delivery to a region known as the Zarqa Governorate. Located east of the capital city of Amman, Zarqa is home to more than 1 million people.
In Kenya, more than 95 percent of human fecal sludge is released into the environment untreated or inadequately treated, contributing to a high burden of childhood morbidity and mortality from diarrheal diseases. In addition, charcoal made from illegally logged trees is a major source of cooking fuel in Kenya, contributing to deforestation and to unhealthy indoor air quality.
This grant provides technical support to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), states and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to enable them to implement the Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Mission at the national, state and city levels. The technical assistance promotes universal safe and sustainable waste management and sanitation access through safe containment, collection and transportation, treatment and reuse, to maximize public health impact.
Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) | 2012–2017
Most people are familiar with the breathtaking view of the Taj Mahal with its waterways, walking paths and topiary. Of course, this is the perspective from the south, but personally I find that the view from the north is just as moving. From there, you can see the mighty Yamuna river. The poet Rabindranath Tagore once wrote: “The Taj Mahal rises above the banks of the river like a solitary tear suspended on the cheek of time.”
Nine years ago, USAID supported the development of a wastewater treatment system that would treat wastewater, reduce waterborne diseases, and clean the river. Now, the local municipal corporation has taken it over, and others are following this model.
Water Currents is produced biweekly by USAID’s E3 Water Office. Each issue contains recent news and articles on water sector issues, partner and donor updates, latest sector research, and a special focus on one topic. Please provide your feedback and suggestions by contacting the waterteam@usaid.gov.
This Sunday, November 19, let’s take some time to reflect. For billions in the developing world proper sanitation can mean the difference between education and ignorance, health and illness, prosperity and poverty. But 2.5 billion people still don’t have access to a toilet, and 11 percent of the world’s population still defecates in the open.
Jesse Shapiro is the Environmental Health Team Lead, Senior Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Advisor, and Sanitation Focal Point at USAID based in the Global Health Bureau. He provides WASH technical support to USAID missions in Africa and South East Asia with a focus on new project development and an increased emphasis on sanitation programming. With World Toilet Day 2017 coming up, he talked with Global Waters about about the importance of wastewater treatment and USAID's work in the sanitation sector.
