Government of Indonesia, UNICEF and CEO Water Mandate join hands to advance water resilience in Java

Jakarta, Indonesia 24 August 2026 - UNICEF Indonesia, together with the Water Resilience Coalition (WRC) and in collaboration with the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), subnational government, and CEO Water Mandate (a UN Global Compact initiative in partnership with the Pacific Institute), announced the launch of BERSAMA, a multi-stakeholder initiative to strengthen water resilience and expand access to climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in the Citarum watershed, West Java. 

BERSAMA (Berketahanan Air untuk Sanitasi dan Air Minum Aman, or Water Resilience for Safe Sanitation and Water) brings together government, communities, and the private sector to address water needs and quality in regions most affected by climate risk.   

The initiative supports Indonesia’s national efforts to enhance access to safely managed water and sanitation services, through enhancing climate resilience of water supply systems, policy and system strengthening, and public awareness and stakeholder engagement. Across Indonesia, climate change continues to pose water-related challenges. In 2025 alone, the country experienced more than 4,700 disasters, almost half linked to floods. Such disasters could damage water systems, contaminate water sources, and increase the risk of diseases such as diarrhoea. They also impact children’s access to essential social services, such as schools, health facilities, and child protection services. 

“Safe water, from source to household, is fundamental to safeguarding children’s right to good health and a safe environment, especially as climate challenges become more frequent. When floods, droughts, and water scarcity disrupt essential services, children are among the hardest hit. Through BERSAMA, UNICEF is pleased to join hands with the Government, the private sector, and communities to collectively strengthen water systems so that children can grow up healthy and in a safe environment,” said Maniza Zaman, UNICEF Indonesia Representative. 

BERSAMA’s incubation phase reflects the CEO Water Mandate’s role in connecting UN agencies such as UNICEF with the private sector. The initiative’s first phase (2026–2028) will focus on two climate-vulnerable districts and 30 villages in the Citarum watershed, supported by an initial US$1 million contribution from Gap Inc. and Haleon. Beyond funding, the partnership will contribute to sharing knowledge, promoting collaboration, and engaging more businesses to expand the initiative. This implementation phase will draw on the Water Resilience Coalition’s expertise in advancing collective action to drive measurable water resilience outcomes. 

Reflecting on the importance of collective action, Matt Kistler, CEO of the Water Resilience Coalition (WRC), said: "The WRC believes that water resilience requires collective action: the collaboration of governments, communities, civil society, and businesses around shared water challenges and solutions. We are proud to support BERSAMA, in the Citarum watershed and look forward to working with our partners to deliver lasting impact." The Water Resilience Coalition, initiated by the CEO Water Mandate, aims to achieve positive water impact and resilient WASH access in 100+ global basins through collective action. 

As founding private sector partners of the collective action initiative, Gap Inc. and Haleon shared their commitment to supporting BERSAMA. 

“Water is a shared resource, and building resilience takes shared action. At Gap Inc., we believe the most meaningful progress happens when we work together for the long term. We’re proud to join UNICEF, Haleon, the CEO Water Mandate, government partners and local communities through BERSAMA to help strengthen water resilience and expand access to safe, climate-resilient water and sanitation,” said Jeff Hogue, Chief Sustainability Officer at Gap Inc.   

Sarah McDonald, Vice President, Health Inclusivity & Sustainability at Haleon, added: “Access to safe, climate-resilient water and sanitation is a fundamental pillar to achieving better everyday health, and resilient communities. At Haleon, we’re committed to managing water sustainably and improving health inclusivity, recognising that people’s health is closely linked to the environments they live in. Through BERSAMA, we’re proud to work with UNICEF, the CEO Water Mandate, Gap Inc. and local stakeholders to strengthen water resilience in the Citarum watershed and support communities most vulnerable to climate impacts.” 

Java is home to 57 per cent of the country’s population but holds only around 6 per cent of the country’s water resources, according to the World Bank. As demand continues to grow, steady and proactive efforts will be important to ensure reliable water access and support the health, well-being, and economic resilience of communities. 

The initiative aims to provide 200,000 people with access to climate-resilient WASH services, and raise awareness on climate and water resilience, including water-saving practices and hygiene, among 300,000 people. It will also contribute to replenishing more than 12,000 cubic metres of water annually through rainwater harvesting, watershed conservation, and groundwater recharge in the initial phase of three years. 

BERSAMA will also focus on strengthening policies and systems to ensure sustainability and will provide a scalable model that can be expanded across Java. Building on this foundation, the initiative aims to grow into a long-term, large-scale platform, driven by sustained private sector engagement to deliver solutions and scale collective impact beyond the initial phase. 

BERSAMA is closely aligned with the Government of Indonesia’s national development priorities, including the roadmap for safely managed water and sanitation and the country’s climate resilience framework. It contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation, while supporting broader goals related to health, climate action, poverty reduction, and inclusive economic growth. 

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