NAIROBI, Kenya – The Coca-Cola Foundation, in partnership with the Millennium Water Alliance (MWA), are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the Sustainable Access to Safe Water (SASaWa) initiative. Scheduled for an official launch event next month in Nairobi, this initiative is set to significantly enhance water resilience across Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). SASaWa, creatively adapted from the term SASW meaning “to make perfect or good,” symbolizes the initiative’s commitment to dramatically improving water access and management in some of Kenya’s most vulnerable regions.
SASaWa will leverage the collective expertise and lessons learned from ongoing collaborative efforts, including the RAPID+, STAWI, and DRIP-FUNDI projects. This initiative will integrate state-of-the-art technologies and community-based strategies to improve water security for more than 125,000 people in nine districts particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and recurrent drought.
“Supporting collective efforts to deliver sustainable and resilient water services to water-stressed communities lies at the core of The Coca-Cola Foundation’s mission. As a catalytic funder, we aim to accelerate interventions by leveraging insights from past experiences. This approach is essential for improving the lives and ensuring lasting impact for those living in Kenya’s ASAL communities. “
Carlos Pagoaga, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation
Styvers Kathuni, Millennium Water Alliance Kenya Country Director, shared his vision for the project: “With the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation, SASaWa is poised to build on the strong foundation laid by previous projects such as RAPID+, STAWI Mashinani and DRIP FUNDI. This initiative will use an integrated approach to address both the immediate and systemic challenges of water scarcity in the ASALs, ensuring a lasting impact on community resilience and fostering economic growth.”
About the Initiative: SASaWa will focus on three strategic areas:
- Water Innovation: Implementing growth-stage technologies and sustainable practices to ensure water reaches the most vulnerable communities.
- WASH Systems Strengthening: Enhancing the capacity of local water service entities to deliver professional, reliable, and affordable services.
- Catalytic Infrastructure Investments: Facilitating critical infrastructure development to foster large-scale investments in resilient water assets.
Anticipated Outcomes: The initiative aims to
- Increase the resilience of water systems against environmental stresses.
- Reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases by improving water quality and accessibility.
- Empower local communities through enhanced water management skills and sustainable practices.
MWA’s role and impact: The Millennium Water Alliance plays a pivotal role in the Sustainable Access to Safe Water (SASaWa) initiative, harnessing its global network of humanitarian, research, and business organizations to drive innovation and scalability in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Here’s how MWA enhances the SASaWa initiative:
- Convening Expertise: MWA excels at bringing together a trusted network of WASH sector members, facilitating the exchange of expertise and partnerships that enhance project efficiency and impact.
- Catalyzing Innovation: By promoting innovative partnerships and solutions, MWA nurtures program opportunities that demonstrate effective new approaches to WASH challenges, enhancing their potential for replication and scale.
- Accelerating Learning: MWA facilitates research and the practical application of findings, accelerating the dissemination of best practices and innovative solutions across its network.
- Influencing Policy and Funding: MWA actively advocates with major donors to influence WASH strategies and funding allocations, ensuring investments are directed towards the most effective and sustainable solutions.
- Impact and Outreach: Collectively, MWA and its members impact over 50 million people annually across 100 countries, significantly advancing WASH services and resilience globally.
Through these efforts, Millennium Water Alliance ensures that SASaWa is grounded in a robust foundation of expertise and collaborative synergy, poised to make significant improvements in water security and management in Kenya’s ASALs.
Launch Event: The official launch of SASaWa will take place in Nairobi, with the participation of government officials, community leaders, and key stakeholders from various sectors committed to supporting this transformative initiative. The event will showcase the planned activities and expected impacts of SASaWa, setting the stage for a coordinated effort towards water sustainability in Kenya.
Further Information: For more details about the SASaWa initiative including participation in the upcoming launch event, please contact info@mwawater.org
About The Coca-Cola Foundation
Since its inception in 1984, The Coca-Cola Foundation has been dedicated to making a global impact through transformative community investments. With over $1.6 billion awarded in grants focusing on sustainable access to safe water, climate resilience, and economic empowerment, the foundation continues to support innovative solutions that address the most pressing global challenges.
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