By Vasinatta Yama – EMTV News, Mt. Hagen
More than 60,000 people in Hagen Open electorate will benefit from the Water and Sanitation Hygiene services in the next four years.
Phase one of the WASH Project was launched yesterday (August 28), in Mt Hagen by European Union, UNICEF, and the Western Highlands Provincial Government.
Hagen Open Electorate is one of four Provinces implementing WASH projects in the country.
More than 20,000 children are among the total population that will benefit from the WaSH project in the Province.
The receiving electorate, Hagen Open, will complement the donor partners; European Union and UNICEF, by helping schools access clean water, as a pilot project for four years.
A five-year plan will be developed to implement the WaSH project.
European Union provided K500 million in 2017 worldwide for WaSH-oriented projects.
EU Ambassador to PNG, Ioannis Giogkarakis Argyropoulos said the lack of access to clean water and basic sanitation is a major setback to social and economic development.
Many people can catch diseases, and there would be an unhealthy population in the world.
Schools, health centers, and communities in the electorate will be included in the project, to improve their hygiene and sanitation.
UNICEF is committed to using its technical expertise, in collaborating with EU and the Government to achieve this project.
UNICEF is concerned about the human right of access to clean water and adequate sanitation, for mothers and children.
Governor Paias Wingti told the partners, that the Provincial Government will also work closely with them, to implement the WaSH Project.
The WaSH project is also expected to improve the living standard of people since they will have access to clean water, and have a better life.
