World Water Day, held annually on March 22, celebrates water and raises awareness of the approximately 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water, according to the United Nations.
Together with partners, the Coca-Cola system and The Coca-Cola Foundation invests in water initiatives that benefit nature and communities. The group advances solutions that help provide safe drinking water to those living in vulnerable communities and in water-stressed regions.
The Coca-Cola Foundation’s Strengthening Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Service Delivery (S-WASH) initiative in Nigeria collaborates with community members, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and local government authorities.
Borno State, a water-stressed area in Nigeria, is experiencing a severe water crisis impacting health, education, and quality of life. The S-WASH initiative, implemented locally by the Global Environment & Technology Foundation (GETF) and WaterAid, has positively impacted six communities, two healthcare facilities, and one public school. Now, more than 16,000 people have better water, sanitation and hygiene services; women are trained as volunteer hygiene promoters; and youth are trained as maintenance artisans.
One of the beneficiaries, Zainab Bulama, a healthcare officer at Gamboru Primary Healthcare Centre in Borno State, Nigeria, said: “Before S-WASH, we lacked clean water. Now, with the rehabilitated borehole and handwashing stations, we can teach hygiene practices and ensure quality care.”
Carlos Pagoaga, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation, said: “This water project is an example of our efforts to scale and accelerate access to safe drinking water and improve water security across Nigeria. We are grateful to work with local partners and communities to amplify our impact.”
By Ajibola Adedoye