WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Dec 16, 2014) - WaterAid celebrates final Congressional passage of the Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act, following unanimous House passage of the bill, HR 2901, last Monday, and the Senate's unanimous consent last night. The bill will now be sent to President Obama for signature into law.
"Today is monumental for those of us dedicated to providing safe drinking water, toilets and hygiene promotion to the world's poorest people, and even more important for the billions of people who are currently waiting for those services," said Sarina Prabasi, CEO of WaterAid America. "Water for the World has enjoyed broad bipartisan support and extraordinary commitment from our Congressional champions, especially Congressmen Poe and Blumenauer and Senators Corker and Durbin. We are incredibly grateful that they have joined us in the fight to ensure all people have these basic lifesaving services."
Over three Sessions of Congress, WaterAid has worked closely with Members of Congress and more than 75 NGOs and faith-based organizations to push for improved focus and impact of the US government's limited resources for water, sanitation and hygiene programs. Water for the World's final passage by Congress is the culmination of these tireless efforts and unexpected partnerships, and is a testament to the fact that water, sanitation and hygiene are basic services that no one should live without.
Water for the World will help to address the needs of the 2.5 billion people who do not have access to a toilet and the 750 million people who still live without safe drinking water. By improving the pre-investment analysis undertaken by USAID and safeguarding existing capacity and coordination across the Federal government, Water for the World will help to ensure US support is going where it is needed most. Providing access to water, sanitation and hygiene for the poorest and most marginalized will, in turn, help to prevent leading causes of child deaths, stem the spread of deadly outbreaks like Ebola, increase girls' educational opportunity, reduce household poverty, and advance economic development.
"WaterAid looks forward to working with USAID and the Department of State on implementing the Water for the World Act," Prabasi continued. "For now, we join our many partners in civil society and in Congress in celebrating this renewed commitment to meeting basic needs for people around the world."
About WaterAid
WaterAid is the world's largest international non-profit organization solely dedicated to helping the world's poorest people gain access to safe water, toilets and hygiene education. WaterAid works in 26 countries across Africa, Asia, Central America and the Pacific region. Since 1981, WaterAid has reached 21 million people with safe water and, since 2004, 18 million people with toilets and sanitation.
For more information, visit www.wateraid.org/us, follow @WaterAidAmerica on Twitter, visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WaterAidAmerica and Instagram at http://instagram.com/wateraidamerica
- Around 1,400 children die every day from diseases caused by dirty water and poor sanitation.
- 748 million people in the world live without safe water.
- 2.5 billion people live without sanitation; this is 39% of the world's population.
- For every $1 invested in water and sanitation, an average of $4 is returned in increased productivity.
- Just $25 can enable one person to access a lasting supply of safe water.
Contact Information:
Media Contact:
Mari Escamilla
(310) 341-7352