WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 8, 2018 – Water.org and the USAID Sustainable Water Partnership (SWP), implemented by Winrock International, will mobilize $4 million in microloans to improve water access, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for 37,000 people in Cambodia’s Stung Chinit watershed. Families will have access to affordable microloans to construct piped water connections and toilets. Each repaid loan empowers another family with access to clean water and sanitation.
“What if we could multiply the money given to us to reach more people faster,” said Matt Damon, co-founder of Water.org. “We created WaterCredit, connecting lenders of small loans to people who want to help themselves but just need a way to do so.”
Water.org launched its pilot WaterCredit program in Cambodia in 2015. Through this partnership with SWP, the program will be scaled to reach more households and ensure sustainable future financing. By establishing microloan offerings in the portfolios of local microfinance institutions (MFIs), the program will help MFI partners transition to self-reliance, creating a sustainable financial system to empower thousands of families for years to come.
“This partnership marks an exciting milestone in our effort to improve water security in Cambodia,” said Winrock’s Eric Viala, SWP director. “It will save lives, support livelihoods and empower rural communities. WASH is an essential stepping stone toward a more water-secure world.”
Since 2017, SWP has been working to improve water security in Cambodia’s Stung Chinit watershed, engaging provincial authorities along with local leaders from the farming, fishing and forestry communities. SWP helps these stakeholders identify and mitigate key water risks: lack of WASH, agricultural pollution, environmental impacts from upstream land concessions and lack of irrigation.
SWP customizes interventions to meet the unique water needs of communities around the world. Its participatory, holistic approach to water resource management aims to strengthen water security, improve public health and livelihoods, alleviate poverty, encourage economic growth, and promote political stability.
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ABOUT WINROCK INTERNATIONAL
Winrock is a recognized leader in U.S. and international development with a focus on social, agricultural and environmental issues. Inspired by its namesake, Winthrop Rockefeller, Winrock combines scientific and technical expertise with entrepreneurial innovation to deliver market-based solutions that improve lives around the world. Winrock’s mission is to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources across the globe.
ABOUT WATER.ORG
Water.org is an international nonprofit organization that has positively transformed more than 14 million lives around the world through access to safe water and sanitation. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org pioneers market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis. For more than 25 years, we’ve been providing women hope, children health and families a future. Learn more at http://water.org
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This website and its contents are made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).The contents are the responsibility of Winrock International and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
