The Global Water Center (GWC), an organization dedicated to improving global water access, has secured $1.1 million in grants from the Grundfos Foundation and the Coca-Cola Foundation.
This funding will support a new project aimed at enhancing access to safely managed water across East Africa, specifically targeting rural regions in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda.
The project will concentrate on the need for skilled professionals in the rural water sector, addressing a critical gap that has repercussions for health, livelihoods, and social advancement. It also aims to create a scalable model that may be replicated in other regions facing similar challenges.
In the first phase of this ambitious initiative, GWC will leverage the grants to perform a detailed gap analysis. This analysis will identify the most pressing vocational training needs within the local water sector. Following this, GWC will initiate the design of targeted training courses tailored to these needs and launch a comprehensive government technical assistance program focused on capacity building.
“Safe and reliable access to water is fundamental for securing livelihoods, health, and social progress in rural areas,” stated Kim Nøhr Skibsted, CEO of the Grundfos Foundation.
“It requires both knowledge and skills to maintain modern water systems, and we aim to assist governments in building the capacity needed within the water sector to provide essential services to their citizens.”
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by findings from the recent Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water (GLAAS) report, which revealed a profound shortage of skilled professionals across Africa.
Many countries in the region are operating with less than 50% of the workforce required to design, construct, operate, maintain, and monitor effective water and sanitation systems. This skills deficit poses a serious threat to sustainable access to safe water and has direct implications for the health and well-being of millions of individuals and families.
To tackle the human resources gap and foster sustainable development, the project will adopt several strategic approaches:
Partnerships: GWC will collaborate with both global and local stakeholders to ensure that the project not only brings innovative solutions but also remains deeply rooted in the local context, addressing specific community needs and leveraging existing resources.
Climate Adaptation: The initiative will incorporate strategies for climate adaptation, ensuring that water systems are resilient against environmental challenges such as droughts, floods, and changing weather patterns.
Skill Development: Local governments and professionals will receive essential technical training, enabling them to sustain and expand water services effectively over the long term.
“The initiatives we support aim to build resilience and improve water security in local communities,” commented Carlos Pagoaga, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation.
“This work in East Africa adopts a thoughtful, locally-driven approach to investing in water innovation and the necessary skills to strengthen local infrastructure, both now and in the future.”
While this initial $1.1 million in grants is crucial for commencing the first phase, completing all three phases of the project will require ongoing collaboration and additional support from various partners and stakeholders. “We are immensely grateful for this initial funding and wholeheartedly invite others to join us in driving these systemic changes,” said Thomas Johnston, CEO of GWC.
“Together, we can ensure that rural communities across East Africa—and eventually beyond—gain access to safe, reliable water.”
The Global Water Center firmly believes that access to safely managed water is a basic human right, crucial for individual dignity and community health. As a pivotal resource for the rural water sector, GWC’s safe water initiatives have positively impacted the lives of people in 131 countries.
Alongside capacity development, the organization also provides vital technical assistance aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and reliability of water projects. All of GWC’s efforts are grounded in collaboration with nonprofits, governments, and various entities, working collectively to tackle the global water crisis.
Through this funding, The Coca-Cola Foundation intends to create a meaningful impact in communities around the world where The Coca-Cola Company operates and its employees live and work.
The foundation is committed to supporting transformative ideas and institutions that address complex global challenges and facilitate measurable, lasting impacts. Since its establishment in 1984, The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded more than $1.6 billion in grants to strengthen and uplift communities worldwide.
Safe drinking water is not only a fundamental need but also recognized as a human right.
In 2010, the United Nations officially declared access to water a fundamental human right, establishing that the right to water and sanitation is included in existing human rights treaties, thereby making it legally binding.
Ensuring universal access to safe drinking water would significantly reduce illness and mortality, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children. The introduction of standards for safely managed drinking water services marks an important advancement in tracking progress for drinking water access.
Africa’s population has surged from 800 million in 2000 to an estimated 1.2 billion today. One of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is aimed at ensuring that all individuals have access to clean and safe drinking water by 2030. With projections indicating that Africa’s population could reach 1.7 billion by that date, it is crucial to urgently address water access and quality issues across the continent.
Challenges with Water Resources and the Water Crisis in East Africa
East Africa is an environmentally diverse region featuring numerous lakes and rivers, including Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, and the Nile, the continent’s longest river. Despite these abundant natural resources, the region faces a significant water crisis. The majority of East Africa’s population lives in rural areas, and over 50% of these individuals lack proper Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities.
Management of Cross-border Water Resources
Nature does not recognize political boundaries or economic constraints, which means neighbouring countries that share water resources must either cooperate or compete.
This situation has led to numerous conflicts over access to dams, wells, and rivers. Clans in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia have clashed over access to lakes and wells, while disputes have arisen between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Boreholes
Many of East Africa’s water supply shortages are due to inadequate maintenance of wells and boreholes. The primary challenge lies not in constructing more boreholes but in properly maintaining the existing ones.
Collecting water daily
Women traditionally transport water in jerry cans or similar containers that, when full, hold about 5 gallons and weigh over 40 pounds.
Carrying these loads in their arms or balancing them on their heads can cause long-term damage to the neck and back, in addition to overall physical exhaustion.
Moreover, despite all the effort involved in carrying 5 gallons, this amount often does not meet a family’s daily water needs.
Waterborne Diseases
Another issue stemming from Africa’s water crisis is the spread of diseases and infections due to unsanitary water conditions.
These diseases can be transmitted not only through drinking contaminated water but also from bathing and washing with it.
Some of the most common waterborne diseases in Eastern Africa include cholera.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), while many people may experience mild symptoms, some may develop severe diarrhoea and could die if untreated. Cholera is easily treatable and preventable with proper healthcare and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) practices.
Flooding and Drought
East African countries are grappling with both flooding and drought, which worsen the region’s water crisis. While droughts and rainy seasons are typical for this area, their severity and frequency are increasing due to climate change.
Solutions for East Africa’s Water Crisis
Measures such as adapting by selecting drought-tolerant crops instead of those requiring large amounts of water can help mitigate both water scarcity and food insecurity.
Conservation or regenerative agriculture is also being introduced to enhance soil moisture retention through techniques like mulching and no-tillage approaches.
Several governments are taking steps to address water scarcity across the continent. Additionally, international organizations are providing support during times of water scarcity.
In recent years, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has launched several initiatives and implemented innovative financing models to tackle this pressing issue.
In regions of Eastern and Southern Africa, UNICEF is collaborating with the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), and other international agencies to assess and implement bankable projects using blended financing, particularly targeting urban areas.