Archive for category: Clean Water Access

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An 18 Cent Packet of Water Purifier is Fighting Illness in Uganda

Illness in UgandaFirst launched in Uganda in 2004, P&G’s water purifier is fighting illness in Uganda, including cholera, typhoid fever and dysentery. This 4-gram packet of powder can fight bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, with one packet purifying up to 10 liters (about 2.6 gallons) of water to make it safe for drinking.

According to the World Health Organization, only about 18.7% of households in Uganda currently have access to safely managed drinking water. This means 81.3% of Ugandans rely on risky sources. This lack of access contributes to the spread of waterborne illnesses, high costs for medical treatment, lower crop yield and high costs to pay for access. Ugandans spend upward of 22% of their income to buy water from private vendors. Dedicating about a fourth of income toward water means less financial stability to break the cycle of poverty. Thus, the P&G water purifier becomes a valuable resource that not only reduces waterborne illness in Uganda, but also fights poverty by increasing access to safe drinking water.

Reducing Waterborne Illness

While sustained illness reduction relies heavily on continuous infrastructure development that supports multiple health care technologies, the introduction of P&G packets has nonetheless impacted waterborne illness rates. These packets remove 99.999% of bacteria, viruses and protozoa and take only 30 minutes to clean 10 liters of water.

Studies in several countries have found that the water purification packets can reduce diarrheal disease by 16% to 90%, although the impact varies by setting. In Uganda, national cholera surveillance data show that the reported case-fatality rate declined from 4% to 7% in the late 1990s to about 2% to 3% between 2004 and 2010. Multiple factors, including improved cholera response and access to safe water and sanitation, have helped reduce the impact of waterborne disease. However, significant challenges remain, particularly in communities with limited access to safe water and sanitation.

The Impact of WaterQuip Uganda Limited

WaterQuip Uganda Limited is a program that aims to create reliable water treatment setups for rural villages, schools and institutions by delivering affordable water purification systems to homes and businesses. The company also serves as an authorized supplier and distributor of P&G water packets in Uganda.

Headquartered in Kampala, the company provides these packets for $43.80 per box of 240 sachets — about 18 cents per packet. This provides rural communities with access to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-formulated technology and helps ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

It Is Accessible

P&G water packets are widely available through many major retailers, and P&G distributes millions of packets through its nonprofit Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program. They are easy to use and require no training. Users simply empty the sachet into 10 liters of water, stir for five minutes, let it settle for five minutes, strain it and then wait for the chlorine to disinfect the water for 20 minutes. This makes the technology easy to use and widely distributed around Uganda, building awareness of water-purifying solutions and tackling waterborne illnesses.

Final Thoughts

P&G’s water purifier is fighting illness, and thus poverty, in Uganda through easy-to-use technology that gives communities a simple way to make unsafe water safer. While water purification packets cannot replace long-term investments in sanitation and infrastructure, they provide an immediate tool for communities facing waterborne disease. By making clean drinking water more accessible, affordable and easy to treat, P&G’s water purifier can help reduce illness and give Ugandans a stronger foundation for healthier communities, which are key contributors to poverty reduction

– Julia Kozin

Julia is based in Livermore, CA, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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A Thirst for Change: Tackling Water Insecurity in Angola

Water insecurity in AngolaDespite its border with the Atlantic Ocean and numerous water sources, water insecurity in Angola has become a pressing problem in recent years. A rapidly increasing population, high levels of drought and agricultural demands have pushed water infrastructure to the brink. Furthermore, the lack of access to safe and clean drinking water has increased the spread of communicable diseases. However, community and government projects aim to tackle the growing rate of water insecurity in Angola.

Water Insecurity in Angola

According to the World Health Organization, 44% of the population does not have access to clean drinking water, with 55% having access to basic sanitation. High levels of water insecurity, particularly in rural areas, have triggered a cholera outbreak, resulting in 11,500 cases.

In Luanda, the capital, only 32% of people have piped water, leading many to buy water from tank trucks at excessively high prices. The economic burden of water insecurity is exacerbated by low wages and rising unemployment, leaving millions facing poverty and uncertainty regarding water access.

Water insecurity has threatened local businesses relying on water to stay afloat. N’Gola Beer, brewed in the Lubango municipality, depends on high-quality water from the rocks of Tundavala. Their main factory, a major source of income for Lubango, employs about 700 people. With scarce water supplies, many risk losing their jobs. Additionally, water access in homes becomes increasingly fragile. Currently, only 23% of homes in Lubango have a clean water supply.

The Government’s Approach

The International Bank of Reconstruction and Development and the French Agency of Development have provided funds for the Second Water Sector Institutional Development Project (WSIDP-2). This project aims to strengthen the effectiveness and capacity of Angola’s water agencies, resulting in improved water supplies at local and national levels. This government initiative works with Instituto Regulador do Setor Elétrico e de Águas (IRSEA), Angola’s water and electricity regulator, to develop regulations within the water and sanitation sector and improve IRSEA’s functionality to tackle water insecurity.

In 2025, the government announced the beginning of its flagship program called PROAGUA, financed by the Swiss company Mitrelli. The project aims to revolutionize the production of water systems and their distribution across Luanda and Icolo e Bengo, providing access to clean water to more than 9 million people.

PROAGUA aims to tackle water insecurity by reducing the pressure on current water supplies. This includes repairing four major wastewater treatment plants, six desalination units, and 9,000 water meters, including smart meters to manage the increasing volume.

Water Security at a Local Level

Water insecurity impacts the most isolated and vulnerable regions and their residents. In Sumbe, a city with a population of approximately 350,000, there was no wastewater infrastructure before 2015. In response, the African Development Bank developed the Institutional and Sustainability Support to Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project. It provided latrines and bathrooms to people who did not previously have access and connected 59,008 homes to water, reaching more than 472,000 people. This initiative highlights how transformative water initiatives are producing long-term improvements in daily lives.

A New Approach to Water Supply

SUEZ, a French-based environmental services company, and EPAL, a Portuguese water company, are working on a project to rehabilitate five of Luanda’s water plants by installing new production facilities. The project is expected to improve the lives of more than 12 million people, offering a modern approach to combating water insecurity.

On the coast, desalination is the answer to water insecurity. Angola’s Ministry of Energy and Water has signed an agreement with private companies Cox and AMEA Power to develop a seawater desalination plant on the Mussulo Peninsula. This venture will provide drinking water to more than 800,000 people and further reduce the pressure on the region’s water supplies. The project is expected to begin in 2028 and will provide up to 300 construction jobs, along with roughly 25 permanent positions once operational.

Looking Ahead

Despite numerous challenges contributing to water insecurity, various initiatives have succeeded in building and improving the infrastructure that supplies clean water. By investing in water security, the focus is on people’s livelihoods, health, and dignity, ensuring everyone has access to the basic necessity of water. As initiatives continue to progress and develop, Angola marks a shift toward a more sustainable future.

– Maya Tailor

Maya is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Improving Health With Clean Water Projects in Zambia

Clean Water Projects in ZambiaAccess to clean water and sanitation plays a vital role in reducing poverty and creating economic opportunities. Across Zambia, the government and international organizations invest in clean water projects that help communities build healthier, more sustainable futures.

Many Zambian families continue to face challenges accessing safe water and sanitation, particularly those living in rural and low-income communities. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that 27% of households lack basic water access, while 63% lack basic sanitation and 82% do not have basic hygiene facilities. Among the poorest fifth of households, that gap widens further, with 60% lacking access to even a basic water service. Families without reliable water often spend hours collecting it each day, reducing time for work and income-generating activities while increasing the risk of preventable diseases that place additional financial strain on households. These barriers can make it more difficult for families to escape poverty.

The government of Zambia has made improving water and sanitation a national priority through partnerships with organizations such as the World Bank and UNICEF. These collaborations focus on expanding water infrastructure, strengthening sanitation services and improving hygiene practices to support healthier communities and long-term economic development.

The Lusaka Sanitation Project

One of the country’s largest initiatives, the World Bank-supported Lusaka Sanitation Project, has delivered measurable improvements. Between 2015 and 2024, the project benefited more than 345,000 people, surpassing its original target of 305,000 beneficiaries. The project also ensured that women accounted for 50% of those served, demonstrating its commitment to inclusive development.

The project expanded access to sanitation through significant infrastructure improvements. It constructed more than 2,200 new household sewer connections, rehabilitated and built 117 kilometers of sewer lines and provided more than 81,000 people with improved sanitation facilities. Nearly 264,000 additional residents gained access to improved fecal sludge management services, helping reduce exposure to waterborne diseases while creating cleaner neighborhoods.

These improvements also support economic growth by reducing the financial burden that preventable diseases place on families and businesses. Healthier communities experience fewer illnesses, allowing adults to spend more time working and earning an income instead of caring for sick family members. The World Bank estimates that inadequate sanitation previously cost Zambia approximately 1.3% of its gross domestic product each year, demonstrating how investments in modern sanitation infrastructure can improve both public health and economic productivity.

UNICEF and WaterAid Contributions

UNICEF continues to complement infrastructure investments by supporting water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs across Zambia. The organization works with the government and local partners to improve access to safe water in health facilities and schools while promoting hygiene education that helps prevent diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. UNICEF also supports climate-resilient water systems and emergency WASH responses that help vulnerable communities maintain access to safe water during disease outbreaks and extreme weather events. These efforts strengthen the long-term impact of new infrastructure while helping communities stay healthy.

WaterAid has worked in Zambia since 1994 to improve access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene in underserved communities. The organization partners with local governments and community leaders to develop sustainable water systems, strengthen sanitation services and promote hygiene education. Alongside infrastructure improvements, WaterAid helps communities manage and maintain new water systems so they continue serving families long after construction finishes. By reducing the time people spend collecting water and improving public health, these projects create more opportunities for education, employment and long-term economic development.

Conclusion

Clean water projects are doing more than improving public health across Zambia. Investments from the government of Zambia, the World Bank, UNICEF, WaterAid and local utilities are creating healthier communities while supporting economic opportunity and reducing poverty. As these partnerships continue expanding access to safe water and sanitation, Zambia is building a stronger foundation for sustainable development and long-term prosperity.

– Archie Monton-Black

Archie is based in Bedford, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Water ATMs in Kenya Are Expanding Access to Clean Water

Water ATMs in KenyaFor millions of people, access to clean drinking water remains one of the biggest barriers to good health and economic opportunity. In Kenya, only about 68% of the population has access to basic drinking water services, meaning nearly one in three people still lack even a basic source of safe drinking water, with access dropping to just 56% in rural areas. Water ATMs in Kenya are helping change that reality by providing affordable and safe drinking water through prepaid smart cards and mobile payments. These automated systems reduce dependence on unsafe water sources while improving transparency, lowering costs and strengthening local water services. As organizations, local utilities and government partners continue expanding the technology, thousands of Kenyan families benefit from more reliable access to clean water.

A Smarter Way to Access Water

Unlike traditional water kiosks that rely on cash payments and attendants, water ATMs in Kenya allow users to purchase only the amount of water they need using prepaid smart cards or mobile money services. The automated systems operate throughout the day, reducing long lines while making water available whenever communities need it. Digital monitoring also allows operators to track water use, revenue and maintenance needs in real time. This helps reduce water theft and improve financial accountability.

Grundfos developed its AQtap water ATM technology in partnership with organizations including World Vision, county governments and Safaricom. In rural Kenyan communities, more than 20,000 people now receive clean drinking water through 60 automated water ATMs that provide a sustainable source of funding for ongoing maintenance and repairs.

Expanding Long-Term Water Security

As droughts and rapid urbanization place increasing pressure on Kenya’s water resources, innovative technologies become essential for long-term water security. Water ATMs create a sustainable system where affordable user payments help fund maintenance rather than relying solely on outside aid. For example, in Kwale County, the Kenya RAPID program introduced prepaid water ATMs managed by local water service providers. Because every transaction is recorded electronically, communities can clearly see how water fees are collected and used. This increased transparency and strengthened trust between residents and water providers while reducing opportunities for financial mismanagement.

With continued support from organizations such as Grundfos, Oxfam, local utilities and county governments, water ATMs in Kenya demonstrate how simple technology can improve public health and expand reliable access to clean water. Their growing success offers a practical example of how innovation can help communities build a healthier and more sustainable future.

The success of water ATMs in Kenya shows that innovation can help address global poverty. Expanding access to clean water starts with supporting proven solutions like water ATMs in Kenya. Continued investment and awareness will allow more communities to gain reliable access to safe drinking water. Together, these efforts can improve health and create lasting opportunities for future generations.

– Masa Qasim

Masa is based in Toronto, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Solar-Powered Water Solutions in Djibouti Provide Clean Water

Solar-Powered Water Solutions in DjiboutiAccess to clean water in Djibouti is an ongoing issue. Government neglect, especially in rural areas, and scarcity of natural rainwater leave many Djiboutians struggling to find sufficient water for survival. According to the World Bank, in 2026, Djibouti has renewable water sources of only 185 cubic meters of water per person per year, far below the threshold of 500 cubic meters considered absolute water scarcity.

Droughts in Djibouti lead to displacement and food insecurity. Poor Djiboutians already have little access to clean water and food, and droughts exacerbate these struggles, especially in rural areas (pp. 1, 3). More than 80% of those in urban areas have access to clean drinking water, while that portion is less than 50% in rural areas. However, recent developments in solar-powered water solutions have the potential to provide dependable, clean water to many regions.

Innovative Desalination Technology

Lake Ghoubet and Lake Holhol are two prominent examples of solar-powered water solutions in Djibouti. After experimentation, the solar-powered desalination plant at Lake Ghoubet proved much more effective than the solar-powered water pump at Lake Holhol. Arid land makes it difficult to pull water from the ground, and it is more efficient and effective to use solar power to desalinate abundant seawater.

In less than a year, the solar-powered desalination plant at Lake Ghoubet produced 10 million liters of fresh water, enough to meet basic needs in a small area.

Romain Sormani, director of Impact Water Solutions, said, “We are particularly proud of the success of this impact project, which on its own meets no less than five of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals,” a reflection on the potential that this technology has in improving the lives of those struggling with access to clean water.

Impact Water Solutions continues to focus on communities with limited support to create sustainable water purification systems to alleviate issues with access to water in Djibouti.

Benefits of Solar-Powered Water Solutions in Djibouti

Solar-powered desalination offers several benefits for Djibouti, including:

  • Abundant sunlight: In a 2021 study, Turkish engineers measured the sunlight in Djibouti to be more than 3,000 hours per year and the solar radiation to be 2,300 kWh/m2/year, placing it among locations with the strongest solar radiation on Earth (p. 312).
  • Abundant seawater: Djibouti is located along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with Djibouti City on the coast, providing abundant saltwater from the strait. Using this solar power, Djibouti has massive renewable resources of saltwater and sunlight.

Droughts are a significant factor of poverty in Djibouti. They cause crop shortages so severe that Djibouti has to import 90% of its food from other countries. Furthermore, market fluctuations in foreign countries, over which Djibouti has no control, mean that the prices of imported food change unpredictably.

However, solar-powered desalination provides clean water for Djiboutians without much dependence on international markets to provide food and water, turning Djibouti into a more independent and stable society.

Funding and Chinese Involvement

UNICEF and the Chinese government have partnered to execute a project to create water purification facilities in Djibouti, which they expect to benefit more than 120,000 people in rural and peri-urban areas of Djibouti.

The project will produce dependable and safe water resources for Djibouti, especially those in rural areas, who suffer most from water scarcity. UNICEF will train local people to maintain facilities to allow Djibouti to remain independent and self-sufficient after the project finishes in 2028.

Looking Forward

Nascent efforts demonstrate the powerful potential of this technology. With stable funding and continuous support from foreign countries, Djibouti can develop dependable and effective technology to minimize water issues within the entire country. With mitigated water concerns, Djiboutians can live more stable lives and turn their attention toward intellectual advancements and international presence rather than only survival.

– Amber Mantiply

Amber is based in Silver Spring, MD, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Alleviating Poverty: Water Kiosks in Cambodia

Woman carrying water buckets, walking through a rural area. Water Kiosks in CambodiaAccording to United Nations (U.N.) reports, 70% of rural Cambodian households lack access to a clean water supply. Thousands of households use dirty surface water, undermining the nation’s economic growth and public safety. This lack of clean water directly exacerbates poverty, as families must spend limited income on fuel to boil water or on medical care for waterborne illnesses, which prevents adults from working and children from attending school. Facing this dangerous situation as communities fall ill, local organizations create unique and sustainable solutions to help rural households. They implement water kiosks. These stations provide clean water to underserved, remote regions.

Community members partner with businesses to maintain these stations, using low-cost innovative designs built from easily attainable parts. Recognizing this important need, Teuk Saat 1001, a nongovernmental organization (NGO), teaches rural Cambodians to operate water kiosks, protecting their health and economic opportunities. This organization seeks to help rural citizens find viable employment, participate in local markets and amplify their voices through sustainable entrepreneurship.

Protecting Communities

The water kiosk model uses simple technologies that match a rural community’s resources. Helping small, impoverished villages, Teuk Saat 1001 teaches interested citizens to refine water and manage these facilities. The program not only helps communities secure clean water, but it also instills essential fiscal and business skills to uplift local economies. Trainees become proficient in technical, maintenance and business practices. Nearly 1,000 Cambodian entrepreneurs and delivery staff participate in the program, and 343 operational water kiosks spread across rural villages. It is important to note that these stations also receive foundational grants to help get started, which push economic momentum to launch the small businesses.

Teuk Saat 1001 invites all community members to participate, from advanced operators to beginners, no matter their age. These scalable platforms target regions with limited infrastructure, where less than a third of the population has access to a safely managed water supply. Serving as a small-scale alternative to large-scale infrastructure, these operators learn, bond and grow as empowered leaders. They personally understand the unique challenges facing their own homes.

Preserving Resources

Deploying water kiosks in Cambodia helps provide developing countries with low-cost initiatives. They avoid any additional expensive infrastructure costs while simultaneously bringing clean water to those who need it. Beyond Cambodia, water kiosks are a popular sustainable development technique for other countries struggling with water scarcity. Community operators pass down technical techniques, formulating unique distribution pathways based on regional location and community need. Kiosks provide both economic growth and water cleanliness, eliminating harmful bacteria and waterborne pathogens to create high-quality drinking water that protects the health of rural communities.

Teuk Saat 1001 preserves key communal health in the process. According to the U.N., surface water or other attempts at purification face the risk of severe contamination due to a lack of filtration infrastructure. Rapidly changing climate patterns and pollution from farm pesticides also play a role in contamination. Teuk Saat 1001 empowers these communities to commercialize their water products.

Helping Cambodia

Teuk Saat 1001’s program transforms a basic daily necessity into a powerful monetary asset, tackling systemic poverty in an innovative way. Together, these compact stations produce more than 877,000 liters of safe drinking water every day, providing affordable access to more than 800,000 people. Because communities pass down unique forms of operational knowledge from operator to operator, teaching young generations these sustainable practices allows rural households to secure independent incomes while keeping local villages healthy. With the continued deployment of water kiosks, rural families learn key skills and receive essential monetary support to combat local poverty, moving communities closer to true economic gain, stability and a brighter future for all.

– Maya Tung

Maya is based in the United States and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Project Waterfall and Clean Water in Ethiopia

Clean Water in EthiopiaAccess to clean water continues to improve in Ethiopia as organizations and local communities invest in sustainable water solutions that strengthen health, education and economic opportunity. Roughly 62 million people in Ethiopia do not have access to clean water, while waterborne diseases remain a leading cause of death among children under 5. These public health challenges adversely affect educational opportunities, reduce economic productivity and contribute to long-term poverty, particularly in rural communities. However, for more than a decade, Project Waterfall, an international nonprofit, has partnered with coffee-growing communities in Ethiopia to expand access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene services.

Changes in Climate Threaten Clean Water

The changing climate, prolonged droughts, shifting rainfall patterns and seasonal flooding continue to strain Ethiopia’s water resources, placing increasing pressure on rivers, groundwater supplies and aging water infrastructure. Many rural families travel long distances to collect unsafe drinking water, increasing their risk of diarrhea and other waterborne diseases. According to the World Bank, 38.6% of Ethiopians live below the international poverty line of $4 per day (2021 purchasing power parity, or PPP), making it especially difficult for low-income households to afford medical treatment for waterborne illnesses. Children, particularly girls, often miss school because they spend hours fetching water or attend schools without safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities. These conditions reduce household productivity, limit educational opportunities and make it more difficult for families to escape poverty.

Despite recording a historic $3 billion in coffee exports this year, coffee-growing communities face unique challenges. Ethiopia is Africa’s largest coffee producer and the world’s fifth-largest coffee exporter, with approximately 15 million people depending on coffee production for their livelihoods. Yet many of the same communities that produce one of the country’s most valuable exports still struggle to access safe water and sanitation services.

Project Waterfall Invests in Sustainable Clean Water

Founded in 2011, Project Waterfall unites the global coffee industry to fund sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) projects in coffee-growing regions worldwide. Rather than providing temporary relief, the organization works with experienced delivery partners, including Splash and WaterAid, to build systems that communities can maintain long after construction ends. Today, Project Waterfall has funded 34 projects, reached more than 80,000 people across seven countries and continues expanding its work where water insecurity remains most severe.

Project Waterfall began working in Ethiopia in 2014, investing in projects that install clean water systems, improve sanitation facilities, provide hygiene education and train local leaders to maintain water infrastructure. The organization also partners with schools to establish WASH clubs to teach students healthy hygiene practices while helping protect new facilities for future generations.

Clean Water Creates Better Health and Better Schools

One of Project Waterfall’s newest initiatives, Project WISE (WASH in Schools for Everyone), demonstrates how clean water can transform everyday life for students. Working with Splash, the program aims to bring safe drinking water, sanitation facilities and hygiene education to every public school in Addis Ababa, serving nearly 1 million children. According to Splash, the program reached 94% of government schools in Addis Ababa while securing $11.4 million in co-investment from the Ethiopian government.

The impact extends beyond access to drinking water, with schools receiving child-friendly water stations, improved toilets, menstrual health education and behavior-change programs that encourage lifelong hygiene habits. According to Splash, WASH service improvements have contributed to a 17% reduction in respiratory illness among students, while menstrual hygiene facilities are helping girls attend school more consistently. In addition to Project Waterfall’s work, the World Bank reports that Ethiopia’s national One WASH Program, spearheaded by the World Bank and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has constructed or rehabilitated more than 10,000 WASH facilities in schools, including 575 schools that now have improved water supplies and 428 schools with menstrual hygiene management facilities, increasing regular attendance and reducing dropout rates among girls. By the end of 2024, Project WISE had upgraded two schools in Addis Ababa, directly benefiting roughly 1,200 daytime students, 1,000 evening students and 170 staff members.

Building a More Resilient Future

Project Waterfall’s partnerships with local governments and organizations demonstrate how community-led solutions can produce lasting results rather than temporary fixes. As these programs expand to additional schools and drought-affected communities, more Ethiopians will gain opportunities to pursue education, improve their livelihoods and build healthier futures. Continued investment in clean water infrastructure will not only strengthen communities today but also help create lasting pathways out of poverty for future generations.

– Ashley Belling

Ashley is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Local Efforts for Clean Water in Bangladesh

Workers distribute clean water to flood-affected areas in Bangladesh.Access to clean water in Bangladesh is a constant struggle, especially for those living in rural, often poverty-stricken areas. More than 70 million people, 41% of the population, do not have access to safely managed drinking water. Since 2015, urban water access has improved by more than 50%, yet rural access has slightly declined, disproportionately affecting indigenous communities. This also greatly affects women and girls, who are responsible for nearly 90% of water collection, as the time spent retrieving water inhibits their ability to work or earn an education. Contaminated water also increases the risk of skin infection and disease, which leads to higher medical costs. Because of this, clean water access is imperative in any effort to reduce poverty.

Bridging the Gap

Rural communities have taken proactive steps in their pursuit of clean water. Residents of remote villages in hilly or mountainous areas sometimes travel for hours searching for water. Often, the stream or well they find is contaminated or dried up. To fill their pots, they must sit in a hole and wait for the water to trickle in, which can take upwards of an hour. Additionally, one pot may not last an entire day, so more water must be collected in the evening. Yet in some areas, local residents, with help from outside aid, have built their own piping systems. These systems decrease the risk, time and effort associated with accessing clean water in Bangladesh.

Mong Pa Khai Para Village

In Mong Pa Khai Para village, located in Bandarban in southeast Bangladesh, community members built their own piping system, which provided safely managed water to 141 households. Led by women forming the Village Development Organization, the community contributed about 15% of the project cost and helped transport materials and install water tanks during construction. The system is situated atop a three-story school building, has a deep borehole with a capacity of 10,000 liters and will provide water directly to the village through an underground pipe network. The BRAC Integrated Development program helped finance and build the system. Already, the village has formed a committee to decide how to effectively maintain it.

Kalishakhali Village

In Kalishakhali village, Community Partners International assisted residents in building a safe water network in 2024. Kalishakhali is located in the Barisal District, where more than a quarter of the population lives in poverty. The system contains a deep tube well where water is drawn using a pump, and is then stored in a water tank sitting on a raised platform. Households pay a small monthly fee for electricity and maintenance, and any extra funds are used to assist in building more systems in surrounding areas. The project provided more than 100 households with safe access to water, and gave residents more time for work and family life.

Looking Ahead

Despite significant aid efforts, such as the more than $1 billion Water.org has mobilized for clean water in Bangladesh, safe access remains a daily struggle for many Bangladeshi citizens. As seen in Kalishakhali and Mong Pa Khai Para, rural villages are desperate for support and willing to assist in the building of clean water systems. Clean water is a building block toward poverty reduction, as it provides people the health and time necessary to improve their circumstances. The transformation of lives in Bangladesh continues through the building of these networks.

– Joshua P Megson

Joshua is based in Albemarle, NC, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Jordan

Poverty Eradication in JordanJordan’s poverty challenge is shaped by unemployment, water scarcity, limited natural resources and the long-term responsibility of hosting refugees. However, the country is also showing how innovation can make poverty reduction more precise, practical and sustainable. Instead of relying only on traditional aid, innovations in poverty eradication in Jordan are combining digital assistance, job creation, climate-smart solutions and humanitarian technology to help vulnerable communities build more stable futures.

Digital Aid That Reaches Families Faster

One of the strongest examples is Jordan’s National Aid Fund Cash Transfer Program. According to the World Bank, the program provided monthly support to 220,000 households in Jordan. In 2021, it reached an estimated 62% of the most impoverished people in the country, making it one of the largest cash transfer programs in the Middle East and North Africa in terms of coverage for low-income individuals. 

The innovation lies not only in the money itself, but in the system behind it. The program uses digital payment methods, including basic bank accounts and e-wallets, to make support easier to receive and more efficient to manage. This matters because families experiencing poverty often face barriers to banking, transportation and public services. Digital cash assistance can reduce those barriers while giving families more control over how they meet urgent needs.

Turning Assistance Into Opportunity

Jordan’s anti-poverty innovation also focuses on employment. The World Bank reports that supported operations have helped 48,000 Jordanians secure formal-sector jobs, with women accounting for 52% of those placements. In addition, 30,000 people are receiving on-the-job training and more than 4,000 individuals have received training in the digital sector.

This is important because poverty reduction becomes stronger when families can move from short-term support to long-term income. Job training, formal employment and digital skills help people enter sectors with more stability and growth potential. For young people and women, these programs can create access to opportunities that were previously harder to reach. In this way, Jordan’s approach connects social protection with economic mobility.

Youth-Led Water Innovation

Water scarcity is one of Jordan’s most serious development challenges. It affects agriculture, household costs, food security and job opportunities. The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) “Scaling Up Water Innovation for Climate Security in Northern Jordan” project addresses this issue by supporting youth-led businesses that develop practical water and agricultural solutions. The project received a $570,000 grant from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through the SDG-Climate Facility and focuses on climate security, water management and economic opportunity. 

The project trained 25 startups in financial modeling, customer development and value proposition design. Seven youth-led small and medium enterprises then developed solutions using artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, hydroponics, vertical farming and improved irrigation. The UNDP reported that some of these innovations reduced water consumption by up to 20% while improving agricultural productivity at the household level.

These efforts show why climate innovation is also a form of poverty innovation. When water becomes easier to conserve and agriculture becomes more productive, families and small businesses can reduce costs, protect income and adapt to environmental stress. In a country where water scarcity affects both rural and urban communities, youth-led innovation offers a practical way to connect environmental resilience with economic survival.

Humanitarian Technology for Refugees

Jordan’s innovation also extends to humanitarian assistance. The World Food Programme’s (WFP) Building Blocks system uses blockchain technology to coordinate cash-based food assistance. WFP reports that Building Blocks serves more than one million refugees in Jordan and Bangladesh and has processed $555 million in cash-based interventions through 25 million transactions. 

This technology helps aid organizations reduce duplication, protect data and save money on bank fees. For refugees and vulnerable communities, better coordination can mean more reliable access to assistance. Although blockchain alone cannot end poverty, it can make humanitarian systems faster, more transparent and more efficient in places where resources are limited and needs are high.

Looking Ahead

The most powerful innovations in poverty eradication in Jordan are not isolated projects. They are part of a larger shift that uses technology and entrepreneurship to make poverty reduction efforts more targeted, inclusive and sustainable. Digital aid helps families survive immediate hardship. 

Employment programs help people build a stable income. Water innovation helps communities adapt to climate pressure, while humanitarian technology helps assistance reach people more efficiently.

Jordan’s progress shows that poverty eradication is strongest when aid is connected to opportunity. By linking social protection, digital inclusion, youth employment and climate resilience, innovations in poverty eradication in Jordan are helping transform short-term support into long-term opportunities.

– Adriana Carolina Herrera

Adriana is based in Mentor, Ohio, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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8 Facts About The World Bank’s New Water Forward Program

New Water Forward ProgramApproximately 4 billion people worldwide are victims of water scarcity. To combat this, the World Bank recently announced its newest program, “Water Forward,” in collaboration with many other multilateral developmental banks. This initiative will target assisting water-stressed nations, particularly in Asia and Africa, by limiting water leakage, modernizing national irrigation systems, modernizing the nation’s water usage data collection and improving how wastewater is reused. Here are eight facts about the new program.

Background

The Water Forward initiative aims to improve water access for 1 billion people worldwide. The World Bank has predicted their independent investment in Water Forward should improve water access for over 400 million people by 2030. To supplement this, other multilateral developmental banks have also pledged their resources to access an additional 600 million people. An impact this size would provide an incredible amount of improvement for the world’s water-scarce populations.

Water Forward looks to expand and protect 1.7 billion water-related jobs. The increased investment in national large-scale water projects will not only create new local jobs in water-related sectors, but also improve the conditions of existing professions. Within affected nations, job growth is expected in sectors like agriculture, water system manufacturing, energy and maintenance.

Investment

Many different developmental banks are helping with funding the Water Forward program. The new initiative displays great examples of international collaboration, with a total of 10 multilateral developmental banks involved. Some of these banks include the Asian Development Bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the OPEC Fund for International Development, among others.

The initiative aims to double worldwide private investment in water. Public investment dominates capital expenditure in water, with a whopping 90% of capital investment coming from governments. However, the World Bank claims that it believes private investment can be increased to 20% within the next 10 years. They claim this is partly due to tightening government budgets and a rising need for water pricing to reflect its essentiality to life. To attract private investment, the World Bank will seek to create safer water projects with the potential for higher returns.

Water Compacts

Fourteen countries have already announced their water compacts under the initiative. Water compacts exist as commitments from nations to the Water Forward plan, with outlines for how they can best help improve water availability within their respective nations. The 14 nations are Albania, Angola, Bolivia, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. These commitments symbolize the willingness of these nations to follow the World Bank’s guidelines and improve water availability in their nations.

Examples

Kenya started their expanded water access program 13 years ago and looks to expand it with the help of the World Bank. Kenya has been implementing the World Bank-financed “Water Security and Climate Resilience Project” since 2013. This program has increased access to irrigation water and enhanced institutional frameworks for water security. As of 2025, thousands of farmers have gained access to improved irrigation systems as a result of the program.

Uzbekistan’s Water Forward compact aims to provide water security for 3.8 million people and improve irrigation access for 2.2 million people. Uzbekistan, one of the most recent issuers of a water compact, has pledged to install water-saving technology within 1.1 million hectares of land, which should reduce irrigation losses by 25%. Furthermore, it hopes to modernize almost 11,000 km of the main canal, digitalize farm water intake points, and achieve 100% coverage of clean drinking water and modern sanitation by 2030.

– Luca Napolitano

Luca is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

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