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 You are in: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs: Press Relations Office > Press Releases (Other) > 2006 > June 
Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
June 1, 2006


The State Department Releases Report on a U.S. Strategy to Address Water Issues in Developing Countries

Today, the Department of State released an initial report describing a strategy to provide affordable and equitable access to safe water and sanitation in developing countries as required by Section 6 of the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005. President Bush signed the Act on December 1, 2005. The Act makes the provision of affordable and equitable access to safe water and sanitation in developing countries a specific policy objective of U.S. foreign assistance programs. It also requires the Secretary of State, in consultation with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other U.S. Government agencies, to develop and implement a strategy to support this goal within the context of sound water resources management.

More than 1 billion people lack access to improved water sources and more than 2 billion people lack access to improved sanitation. Each year, nearly 2 million people – mostly children under five – die from preventable, water-related illness. Sound water management can promote economic growth, ensure sustainable food supplies, and preserve ecosystems upon which most of the world’s inhabitants depend. Water can also be a tool to promote broader trust and cooperation at the local, national and regional level.

In developing this strategy the Department of State worked closely with USAID and other U.S. technical agencies. The Department also hosted a Town Hall Meeting on April 19, 2006 and solicited public views. Over 100 people attended the Town Hall Meeting and 35 written comments were also received. The Report reviews the world’s current state on water and sanitation; discusses how addressing these issues contributes to advancing U.S. foreign policy goals; summarizes past U.S. activities; identifies objectives for a U.S. strategy on water; and outlines key principles and focal areas for future U.S. work. Copies of the report are available at www.state.gov/g/oes/water.

2006/570

Released on June 1, 2006

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