March 22 marks UN World Water Day

March 22 marks the observance of UN World Water Day, when a number of celebrations, high-level forums, and awareness-raising events are held across the globe. Today, almost half of the world's workers - 1.5 billion people - work in water related sectors and nearly all jobs depend on water and those that ensure its safe delivery. Yet the millions of people who work in water are often not recognized or protected by basic labor rights. The UN day's theme in 2016 — water and jobs — is focusing on how enough quantity and quality of water can change workers' lives and livelihoods - and even transform societies and economies.

OFID places energy-water-food nexus at the heart of its 2016-2025 strategic plan, in the firm conviction that only an integrated, holistic approach can address the challenges across the board, while compromising none.

OFID’s support of the water supply and sanitation sector in its partner countries reached US$1,182m as of year-end 2015. These resources have supported a wide range of operations, from large-scale water storage, treatment and distribution projects to village pumps and school latrines, as well as to schemes for the rationalization of water use in arid regions.

Further reading:OFID supports Nepal's ambitious plan for water and sanitation sector (published in the Jan 2016 issue of the OFID Quarterly)Solutions for a thirsty and crowded Abidjan (published in the Oct 2015 issue of the OFID Quarterly)

In 2015, OFID maintained its support to the water supply and sanitation sector as part of the strategically critical energy-water-food nexus. Approvals for the year amounted to US$72.8m, with the lion’s share (97.3%) delivered in public sector lending:

In addition to improving sanitation conditions, these four initiatives will give almost 600,000 people access to clean water.

Grant financing accounted for US$2m of commitments to the sector and supported grassroots projects in Palestine and Haiti as well as the sponsorship of developing country delegates to the 4th International Water Association Development Congress.