Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Donald M. Payne, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, and Congressman Earl Blumenauer [D-OR] this week introduced HR 7180 - Water for the Poor Enhancement Act of 2008.  This bill, which enjoys bipartisan and bicameral support, increases the United States government's capacity to implement the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 (PL 109-121).  Senator Richard Durbin [D-IL] introduced identical legislation in the US Senate.

The Water for the Poor Act coordinated and expanded the US government's global strategy of providing potable water and basic sanitation to the world’s poor.  This bill codifies Target 10 of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which seeks to halve the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities by 2015.  Since the enactment of this momentous legislation, much progress has been made in meeting the target.  However, much more must be done.

Currently, it is estimated that more than 884 million people around the world lack access to potable water and approximately two out of five people do not have access to basic sanitation services.  As the world’s population continues to grow and such stressors as climate change intensify, the world’s demand for increasingly scarce water resources could have detrimental effects on global security, health and development.

"The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon stated during this year’s 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly that developing countries, particularly those on the African continent, are not on track to meeting the MDGs," Payne stated.  "The target of halving the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and sanitation is a building block for achieving many of the other MDGs.  So, devoting financial and diplomatic resources towards meeting this target will have a positive rippling effect throughout the developing world."

The Water for the Poor Enhancement Act of 2008 creates offices within the State Department and USAID tasked with managing the US’ global water portfolio.  This focused effort will not only boost the effectiveness and efficiency of water-related foreign aid but will also increase the US government’s leadership on this important issue.  The bill also develops local on-the-ground capacity through the collaboration with local water officials as well as the training of in-country water and sanitation managers.

Payne stated, "The enactment of the Water for the Poor Act of 2005 was a defining moment in US foreign assistance.  Congress understood that clean drinking water and basic sanitation facilities was integral to a myriad of social and economic indicators.  With the introduction of this new bill, the US will be able to more effectively assist developing countries."