Ottawa, Ontario — Clean drinking water and basic sanitation are fundamental necessities to lead healthy, productive and dignified lives. Today, in recognition of World Water Day, the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation, announced support for two initiatives that will help people in developing countries have access to clean, safe water.
"This year's World Water Day theme—International Year of Water Cooperation—reflects the fact that often water problems cross borders and we need close international cooperation and creative ways to solve the problems," said Minister Fantino. "The Harper Government is proud to support these two initiatives because we know that water is critical to so many aspects of life, including agriculture and economic growth."
Canada will support the African Water Facility, an initiative with the African Development Bank, for the development of water infrastructure projects in Africa. These projects will help people in many African countries have access to drinking water and basic sanitation. The African Water Facility will also assist countries in the management and conservation of shared water resources such as river and lake basins, helping create better agricultural and economic growth opportunities.
Canada is also providing support to the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health to help resolve pressing global water problems such as access to drinking water and basic sanitation, and the conservation of water resources and how to manage them. Solving water problems helps people in developing countries have better access to nutritious food, and helps improve their health.
This past year, Canada has also helped improve access to water in many parts of the world. For example:
- In Ghana, Canada helped improve access to safe water, reaching 63 percent of households nationwide, and helped construct 250 dams and dugouts that brought a secure water supply for household and agricultural needs in rural parts of the country;
- In Honduras, Canada provided access to potable water to nearly 24,000 people in 29 communities;
- In Haiti, Canada increased access to potable water for 2,500 people; and
- In North Africa, the Nile Basin Initiative launched a common database to share critical information for the optimal use of Nile water resources, allowing the nine basin countries to manage the water resources in a collaborative way that reduces regional tensions and mobilizes large-scale water infrastructure investments.
The Harper Government remains committed to making Canada's foreign assistance more effective through broadening our partnerships, and working with our global partners to ensure that Canada's international assistance continues to make a greater difference in the lives of those who count on—and benefit from—Canada's help
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