The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has pledged $50 million to address the water needs of more than 1 million people in sub-Saharan Africa and water-stressed areas of India and Mexico. The pledge over five years will fund a three-part strategy that will deliver access to sustainable safe water; increase advocacy and capacity; and expand knowledge on global water best practices for communities, governments, NGOs, and donors.
“It is estimated that 3.4 million people die each year from contaminated water and poor sanitation and hygiene practices,” says Steven M. Hilton, president and CEO of the Hilton Foundation. “A total of 2.1 million children die every year from contaminated drinking water, poor sanitation, and poor hygiene practices. It’s unthinkable, but we can’t afford to ignore the problem.”
By building appropriate water systems, training people, and supporting water treatment research, the foundation has created local capacity for ongoing water quality testing and management. “The programs we are funding will employ innovative and appropriate technologies to scale up safe water provision, develop tools to enhance water programming, foster partnerships, generate and share knowledge, and support advocacy,” Hilton adds.
