Access to potable waterAbidjan, 18 October 2007 – The European Union has just granted to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) an amount of 1.4 million euros, or CFAF 918 million, for a project on improvement of access to potable water, basic sanitation and environmental hygiene in favour of populations of about one hundred villages in the departments of Dabakala, Beoumi, Mankono and Zuénoula, in the Centre of Côte d'Ivoire. A subvention agreement was signed in that regard by the Head of the European Commission Delegation, Mr. Michel Arrion and the Resident Representative of UNICEF, Mr. Youssouf Oomar. The project, which will be implemented in partnership with the Human Hydraulics Department of the Ministry of Economic Infrastructures and local NGOs, will enable these villages to have access to potable water supply from 300 modern water points, including 40 new wells equipped with pumps at less costs. It will also facilitate the construction of 3,000 family latrines. The action will also help to introduce in Côte d'Ivoire a new manual pump reputed for its solidity, performance, easy use and maintenance and especially its cost, which is eight times cheaper than pumps currently used in the country. The funding was granted to UNICEF in the framework of the "ACP-EU Facility for Water" of the European Commission. It complements the actions aimed at facilitating access to potable water funded by the European Union in several zones affected by the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire. All these support actions by the European Commission in the water, sanitation and energy sectors, since the outbreak of the crisis, amount to nearly 100 millions euros (about 65 billion CFA francs) in the form of grants that have given the populations better access to basic services and satisfactory healthy conditions.
Alexandra Westerbeek, Chief Communication, UNICEF Côte d’Ivoire,
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