USAID inaugurates innovative water treatment system in Panama Canal Watershed
PANAMA CITY, Panama—On July 6, USAID inaugurated an innovated water treatment plant which will serve more than 1,000 people from the Cerro Cama area in the Panama Canal Watershed. USAID supported this project to improve water availability and quality through its Critical Watershed program in alliance with the Panama Canal Authority through the $5 million Incentive Fund for the Conservation and Recuperation of the Panama Canal Watershed.
Acting USAID/Panama Representative, Chris Cushing highlighted the importance of community collaboration for the common good and he encouraged the community to continue working together in other projects to improve the quality of their lives and those of their children. In doing so, Mr. Cushing also emphasized the role that clean and safe water plays in reducing childhood diseases such a dysentery.
The water treatment facility includes a water intake mechanism in the Los Hules River, and a pumping and slow filtration system for a more efficient level of operations and fewer interruptions of service. The slow sand filtering system is a more effective, simpler, and less expensive solution for potable water production in developing countries, as these do not require the application of chemicals or mechanical interventions for their operation. Additionally, the development of local technical capacity to maintain the system was an integral component to ensuring local ownership of this project
Joint effort helps indigenous communitiesincrease their income from tourism
On June 29, 2006, USAID and Embassy staff joined the people of San Antonio and Ella Puru to inaugurate a series of sustainable tourism and water and sanitation facilities. Located within the Panama Canal watershed, these indigenous communities rely heavily on the resources of their surroundings. Their hard work and dedication to this project reflect their intimate understanding of this inter-relatedness.
The projects in San Antonio and Ella Puru are the result of joint efforts by the American people through USAID, The Panamanian National Environmental Authority (ANAM) and Ministry of Health, Fundacion Avifauna, and the International Center for Environmental Training (CICA) to develop models of sustainable tourism in and around protected areas in the Panama Canal Watershed.
On June 27, USAID/Panama launched marketing material for the promotion of sustainable tourism activities in the Panama Canal Watershed in alliance with the lDB COMPITE Project (Programa para el Fomento de la Competitividad en Panamá). The video will support the tourism cluster formed a year ago with USAID support in order to promote tourism attractions located in and around the Panama Canal Watershed, such as communities and protected areas.
The video, The Ecological Route Between Two Oceans, presents a combination of beautiful images and sounds to highlight the natural, cultural, and historical attractions of the Route. The video takes the viewers from the historical ruins of Panama La Vieja on the Pacific side through the Metropolitan and Soberania Parks, to Fort San Lorenzo overlooking the Caribbean. Using aerial images and the narrative of local guides, the video will be used in a wide array of promotional activities, including upcoming travel and tourism fairs in several US cities. Read More/Leer Mas