Xylem, UNICEF Deepen Partnership to Deliver Vital Water Solutions in Horn of Africa

Rhea-AI Summary

UNICEF and Xylem partner to address urgent water and sanitation challenges in the Horn of Africa, focusing on Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda. The collaboration aims to provide resilient, equitable, and sustainable services to vulnerable communities affected by climate extremes.

Programs Address Urgent Water and Sanitation Challenges for Communities in Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Horn of Africa is experiencing extreme weather conditions worsened by climate change, including most recently, heavy flooding and a devastating drought that impacted nearly 37 million people, including 20 million children.”¹ To meet urgent water and sanitation needs, UNICEF and Xylem (NYSE: XYL) are partnering to deliver solutions to severely affected communities in Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda.

Climate extremes threaten progress towards the UN’s SDG 6 – ensuring clean water and sanitation for all. UNICEF’s regional water, sanitation and hygiene (R-WASH) program aims to equip utilities in vulnerable communities to provide resilient, equitable and sustainable services, with an emphasis on communities hosting refugees and those displaced by climate impacts.

“Xylem Watermark is powered by the collective action of our customers, colleagues, and partners like UNICEF, who share a commitment to advancing water security for all,” Vincent Chirouze, Managing Director for Xylem Africa, said. “This evolution of our work together illustrates how collaboration and innovation can address the most pressing water challenges facing communities today.”

Capacity building to ensure long-term water security for communities in East Africa is a core focus of the partnership. Through Xylem Watermark, the Company’s corporate social responsibility program, Xylem colleagues will share technical expertise with UNICEF's WASH specialists in the region, collaborating to identify new solutions and innovations focused on climate-resilient approaches and technologies, in areas such as solarization of borehole pumping, non-revenue water prevention, and aquifer recharge. Local utility staff will receive hands-on training and up-skilling, and UNICEF will support utilities in the areas of finance and governance.

"Across Sub-Saharan Africa, over 250 million people still lack access to safe drinking water,” said Kitka Goyol, Regional Adviser, WASH and Climate, UNICEF. “Economic livelihoods can only improve – and health, education and equality thrive – if all children and their families have access to reliable, affordable water and sanitation services. Our partnership with Xylem is a great example of what can be achieved when we bring the right partners together to create solutions and deliver targeted interventions that directly impact communities in need.”

The Horn of Africa projects will leverage learnings from UNICEF and Xylem’s collaboration to advance water and sanitation access in India, which has reached over 3.3 million people with WASH services and education since 2021. For more information on how to advance water security for all, visit https://join.unicefusa.org/about-unicef-usa/partnerships

About Xylem

Xylem (XYL) is a leading global water technology company committed to solving the world’s critical water challenges with innovation and expertise. Our 23,000 diverse employees delivered combined pro forma revenue of $8.1 billion in 2023. We are creating a more sustainable world by enabling our customers to optimize water and resource management and helping communities in more than 150 countries become water-secure. Join us at www.xylem.com and Let’s Solve Water.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit www.unicef.org.

“UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, organization, product or service.”

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¹ https://www.unicefusa.org/what-unicef-does/where-unicef-works/africa/horn-africa

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240326335799/en/

Houston Spencer

+1 (914) 240-3046

Houston.Spencer@xylem.com



Ann Reinking Whitener

+1 (212) 922-2623

Areinking@unicefusa.org

Source: Xylem Inc.

FAQ

What are UNICEF and Xylem partnering for?

UNICEF and Xylem are partnering to deliver solutions to severely affected communities in Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda to address urgent water and sanitation needs.

What is the focus of UNICEF's regional water, sanitation, and hygiene program?

UNICEF's R-WASH program aims to equip utilities in vulnerable communities to provide resilient, equitable, and sustainable services, with a focus on communities hosting refugees and those displaced by climate impacts.

What is Xylem Watermark?

Xylem Watermark is the Company's corporate social responsibility program focused on advancing water security for all through collaboration and innovation.

How will Xylem and UNICEF collaborate to ensure long-term water security in East Africa?

Through Xylem Watermark, Xylem colleagues will share technical expertise with UNICEF's WASH specialists, focusing on climate-resilient approaches and technologies like solarization of borehole pumping and non-revenue water prevention.

What is the goal of the partnership between UNICEF and Xylem?

The partnership aims to provide reliable, affordable water and sanitation services to improve economic livelihoods, health, education, and equality for all children and their families in Sub-Saharan Africa.