This week Water For People marks its 20th anniversary of working to create a world where all people have access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation, and where no one suffers or dies from a water- or sanitation-related disease. In 1991, the American Water Works Assn. (AWWA) founded Water For People with this vision in mind, and now the organization works in 11 developing countries in Asia, Africa, Central America and South America.
According to Water for People, its business-oriented approach and commitment to providing full coverage for everyone within a region coupled with monitoring and evaluation continue to set it apart from other development organizations. Partnerships with local governments, civil societies, institutions and the private sector, including emerging entrepreneurs, are the hallmarks of Water For People’s work to provide the foundation for communities and municipalities to become self-reliant in providing their own water and sanitation services. Innovative technologies such as FLOW (Field Level Operations Watch) have shifted methods of data collection and reporting on projects, which demonstrates accountability to donors and the people who are relying on newly developed services.
“We are very grateful for the outstanding support that the North American water and wastewater community has given us over the years,” said Ned Breslin, Water For People CEO. “Through the passion, dedication, and hard work of Water For People’s partners, supporters and volunteers, we have helped transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. But this is only a glimpse of what we can achieve in the future. We celebrate this day, but we don’t lose sight of our larger goal to continue fostering locally-based partnerships and utilizing innovative solutions so that everyone has access to safe water and sanitation.”
“Water For People’s founders had a clear, simple and world-changing vision that all people should have access to safe water,” said David LaFrance, executive director for AWWA. “We’re pleased to congratulate Water For People’s committed staff and volunteers on turning so much of that vision into reality. AWWA is proud that 20 years ago we were there when Water For People started, and we continue our pride as a committed giving partner for the future.”
Source: Water For People
