The United States government recently launched an approximately Rs. 150 million ($1 million) program to provide safe, disaster-resilient drinking water to local communities in Sri Lanka. Over 100,000 people are expected to benefit directly from this project.
This program expands upon several previous USAID projects since 2012 that have provided sustainable access to drinking water to those areas in the South, East and North prone to droughts and floods.
State Minister Sudharshini Fernandopulle and MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardena were also present.
“The United States is committed to help Sri Lankan families who face daily struggles with reliable sources of clean drinking water,” said US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Atul Keshap. USAID is again partnering with Lanka Rain Water Harvesting Forum (LRWHF), a local organization with 20 years of experience introducing simple and inexpensive options for safe, potable water. This new project will target communities in the North, East, and Uva province exposed to frequent natural disasters. Palm Foundation will provide communities in the Eastern province with pipe water, rainwater harvesting tanks, and local training.
The project’s scope includes building rainwater harvesting tanks, providing pipe-borne drinking water facilities, and renovating local infrastructure to reduce the effects of floods and droughts.