USAID, UNICEF spend N4.1bn for water, sanitation in Nigeria
The United States Agency International Development, USAID, has warded $10m (N4.1bn) over three years to United Nations Children Emergency Fund, UNICEF, to support the Nigerian government’s initiative to improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) service in Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states in the North-West.
The USAID initiative in partnership with UNICEF, was aimed at providing safe water, hygiene and improved sanitation to more than 300,000 people in North-West Nigeria.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Mission Director, USAID, Dr. Anne Patterson, said such would help reduce water borne diseases, especially among children.
She said, “USAID is dedicated to ensuring clean water for more Nigerians. This new activity with UNICEF will help reduce water borne diseases to keep more people, especially children, healthy”.
UNICEF’s country representative for Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, also said, “We are extremely grateful for the timely and much needed WASH support from US government. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with prevailing challenges and gaps in WASH services in North-West Nigeria is detrimental to the development of children and rural communities. This assistance is a testament to USAID’s commitment to the children and people of Nigeria”.
