Launch of the European Union Supported "Usafi Iringa-Iringa Sanitation" Project

The Head of Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania, H.E. Ambassador Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi and the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare of the Government of Tanzania, Honorable Dr. Stephen Kebwe launched today the "Usafi Iringa - Iringa Sanitation" Project in Iringa region.

With funding from the European Union, ACRA-CCS Foundation, in partnership with Iringa Municipal Council, Iringa Urban Water and Sanitation Authority (IRUWASA), local (MAMADO, IDYDC) and international organisations (BOKU, cewas, CeTAmb and CUAMM) implement the project on integrated environmental sanitation concepts for poor, underserved and peri-urban areas of Iringa Municipality. Through the EU-ACP Water facility Initiative, the project has received more than 2.2 billion Tanzanian shillings (EUR 1.1 million) to increase access to sanitation services and safe drinking water by developing innovative, affordable and environmentally sustainable sanitation systems.

"Our objective is to help Tanzania achieving the water and sanitation MDG (7) which is to halve by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation; this means targeting the most vulnerable and needy people in rural and peri-urban areas, also leading to better health, education and socio-economic development.", said the EU Ambassador to Tanzania, Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi.

"The project has four result areas, which deal with the identification of sanitation provision systems, the strengthening of the sanitation supply chain, triggering of a behavioral change process in the target communities and finally increasing access to sanitation services and drinking water through construction activities, especially in schools and health facilities", explained Jörg Henkel, the Project Manager of Usafi Iringa Project.

The project is implemented in the four peri-urban wards of Kihesa, Kitwiru, Mtwivila/Mkimbizi and Nduli in Iringa Municipality, and aims to improve “health and hygiene conditions of poor communities living in the peri-urban areas of Iringa municipality, with great attention to environmental, social and economic sustainability of implemented solutions”, coupled with hygiene promotion activities.