New Activity in Indonesia Called USAID IUWASH

 

In this Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011 photo, an orangutan with her baby plays with water at a release site in Tanjung Hanau, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. A half-century ago, more than three-quarters of Indonesia, a sprawling archipelagic nation spanning the width of the United States, was blanketed in plush tropical rainforest. But in the rush to supply the world with pulp, paper and, more recently palm oil, used in everything from lipstick and soap to "clean burning" fuel half those trees, have been cleared. 

 

USAID today announced a new activity called the USAID Indonesia Urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (USAID IUWASH) Project.The project builds on over 10 years of collaborative assistance with the Government of Indonesia in safe water and sanitation. IUWASH is a five-year, $33.7 million effort that will expand access to water and sanitation services to Indonesia’s urban poor, currently those people with the most limited access to these services.
The project will promote the goals of the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership by improving urban water and sanitation services thereby strengthening individual health.
The Comprehensive Partnership advances cooperation in a wide range of issues to sustain the environment, promote prosperity, strengthen democracy, enhance understanding and ensure security.
“The IUWASH project will provide an additional 2 million Indonesians with access to improved water supplies and decrease per unit costs paid by the poor by 20 percent,” explained USAID Mission Director Walter North.
The IUWASH project will also contribute to achieving safe water and sanitation targets that the Government of Indonesia has set as part of their United Nations Millennium Development Goals.