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Handover of water system to Lamap community
Handover of water system to Lamap
community
At least 1,499 people access safe
water and sanitation
Port Vila, 2 August 2017: The Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources and its partners, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), United National Children’s Fund (UNICEF) together with ADRA Vanuatu, today handed over the completed water supply system to the community of Lamap on the south eastern tip of Malekula Island, Vanuatu.
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Ralph Regenvanu stated, “This project has pulled together some key partners of the government to address the crucial need for safe water, sanitation and hygiene in the community of Lamap in line with the National Water Strategy’s vision of sustainable and equitable access to safe water and sanitation for the people of Vanuatu.”
With the goal of providing safe water and sanitation in Vanuatu and promoting good hygiene and sanitation, the Lamap WASH Infrastructure Project is part of the Water and Sanitation Sector Strengthening Project, a collaboration between Vanuatu Government and partners.
“It is critical for us to be able to deliver safe drinking water to vulnerable children and their families. Water acts as a lifeline for children and we continue to work with Government and partners to respond to this urgent need,” stated UNICEF Chief of Vanuatu Field Office, Andrew Parker.
The construction of four large water supply projects, including that of Lamap, started in June 2014 and runs until December this year. Trainings were provided to support community engagement and management of the new water system.
“Improving access to safe water and sanitation for people and communities is part of New Zealand’s commitment to improving health outcomes in Vanuatu,” said New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Georgina Roberts. “New Zealand is pleased to have supported the Government of Vanuatu and partners to deliver reliable safe water and sanitation to the people of Lamap, contributing to improved health and wellbeing, which underpins Vanuatu’s social and economic development.”
Lamap is one of the biggest communities on the island of Malekula with a population of about 1,499. In the past the community was served by an Indirect Gravity Flow system that ceased functioning in the late 1980s. The community’s main water source had since been rainwater harvesting.
ADRA Vanuatu Acting Country Director, Anna Downing, said, “Strong community involvement, management and ownership is vital to sustaining any successful initiative. We acknowledge the strong support of the leaders and members of the community in Lamap to ensure the project is completed but is also sustained”.
The 2.5 million NZ dollars Water and Sanitation Sector Strengthening Project is a collaboration between the Department of Water Resources - Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and UNICEF covering four sites including: East Malo, West Ambae, Walarano and Lamap.
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About the Vanuatu
Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources
The
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources oversees the
functions of the Department of Lands, the Department of
Water Resources, the Department of Geology and Mines, and
the Office of The Valuer General. The main areas we will
focus on are: ensuring there are fair dealing in lands; and
ensuring that the rights of Custom Owners to their lands,
and its developments, are fully recognized and protected.
For more information visit: https://mol.gov.vu/index.php/en/
About the New Zealand Aid
Programme
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Trade, New Zealand Aid Programme delivers New Zealand’s
official support for developing countries. The purpose of
New Zealand’s aid is to develop shared prosperity and
stability in the Pacific and beyond, drawing on the best of
New Zealand’s knowledge and skills. We support sustainable
development in developing countries to reduce poverty and
contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world.
For more information visit: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/about-us/
About ADRA Vanuatu
The
Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is a global
humanitarian organization with a mission to work with people
in poverty and distress to create just and positive change.
ADRA Vanuatu belongs to the worldwide ADRA network,
comprised of 130 supporting and implementing country
offices. ADRA’s four core sectors include Health;
Livelihoods; Education; and Emergency Management. ADRA
Vanuatu has developed its expertise in these sectors and in
various subsectors, such as Water and Sanitation Hygiene
(WASH). For more information - https://adra.org.vu/. Follow ADRA on Facebook.
About UNICEF
UNICEF
promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in
everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in
190 countries and territories to translate that commitment
into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching
the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of
all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF
and its work for children, visitwww.unicefpacific.org. Follow UNICEF on
Twitter and Facebook
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