USAID Donates Water Tanks to Zambia’s Ministry of Health
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has generously donated water tanks and dosing pumps to Zambia’s Ministry of Health, a move aimed at bolstering the country’s efforts in preventing waterborne diseases.
The handover ceremony was attended by Dr. George Sinyangwe, Permanent Secretary for Donor Coordination at the Ministry of Health, who emphasised the critical need for proactive measures in disease prevention.
During the event, Dr. Sinyangwe highlighted the tragic losses experienced during the last cholera outbreak, stressing that the nation cannot afford to lose citizens to preventable diseases.
He commended the USAID Zambia Mission for their valuable contribution, noting that recent outbreaks of COVID-19 and cholera have underscored the importance of preventive measures rather than reactive responses.
“The government remains committed to ensuring that preventable diseases do not recur in our country,” Dr. Sinyangwe stated. He also stressed the importance of individual responsibility in disease prevention, not only for cholera but for all diseases.
Additionally, he expressed gratitude to the U.S. Government for its steadfast partnership in enhancing Zambia’s health sector.
The donated water tanks, according to Dr. Sinyangwe, will significantly aid health institutions in storing and supplying clean and safe water to various communities, thereby supporting public health initiatives.
USAID Acting Mission Director Robin Sharma outlined the strategic framework guiding USAID’s activities in Zambia, which aligns with the U.S. Global Water Strategy 2022-2027.
Sharma identified Zambia as a high-priority country for water-related initiatives, reflecting the U.S. Government’s commitment to substantial investment in improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services for Zambian communities.
Sharma revealed that the 50 heavy-duty water tanks donated to the Ministry of Health are intended to enhance access to clean and safe water, thereby reducing the incidence of diarrhoeal diseases which have caused significant loss of life, as witnessed during the recent cholera outbreak.
“This gesture by USAID complements other investments we are making across the country,” Sharma noted. He highlighted the USAID Scaling Up Nutrition, Technical Assistance (SUN TA) project, which, in collaboration with community and government partners in 13 districts across Central, Copperbelt, Northern, and Luapula provinces, aims to deliver 300 new boreholes and rehabilitate 700 others by the end of June. This initiative will provide clean and safe water to over 406,000 people.
Sharma reaffirmed the U.S. Government’s commitment to working alongside the Zambian Government to improve the delivery of water, sanitation, and hygiene services. This partnership is crucial for building a healthier and more resilient future for Zambian communities.
