RAIN Increases Access To Water Resources In Niger

On May 11, The Coca-Cola Company, the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation and USAID inaugurated a joint project of the Water & Development Alliance (WADA) in Zinder, Niger (West Africa). Since December 2008, the Company has worked with partners such as Winrock International, a non-governmental organization, to install 53 locally made rope pumps in rural villages in Niger's Zinder region, providing more than 14,000 people with access to potable water.

The project used an integrated approach to provide villagers with more than simply access to water. It also offered them the opportunity to increase their monthly income by creating opportunities to productively use the water for multiple village needs, such as household use, livestock and irrigation. The project installed four market pumps, 515 hand-washing stations, eight aquaculture ponds and tanks, three vegetable gardens managed by women and 200 irrigation pumps made locally in workshops organized by Winrock. The project continues through November 2010 to build sustainability and share best practices among the project partners.

"As a corporate citizen, it is our aim to support sustainable development everywhere that Coca-Cola operates," said Don Dussey, Senior Public Affairs and Communications Representative, Coca-Cola West Africa. "Today's event is a testament to the commitment of the Coca-Cola system to increase access to potable water in local communities through the Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN), the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation's six-year, $30 million commitment to increase access across the Continent."

Dr. Gary Cramer, USAID/West Africa General Development Officer, added, "Winrock International's approach of targeting multiple water needs, from drinking to hand-washing to irrigation, is an innovative approach that can contribute to improved health and income generation. USAID is pleased to be partnering with Coca-Cola to support these efforts in Niger."

Zinder Region officials, representatives from other project partners and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) participated in the launch.