Remarks by U.S. Deputy Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne at the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development Mou Signing For Crucial Clean Water Pact

October 30, 2010 | Kabul, Afghanistan

It is an honor and a pleasure for the United States government to work with the MRRD on such an important project. Today we are signing a Memorandum of Understanding that will help us to cooperate to build sustainable water supplies and sanitation activities in Afghanistan.

The document we sign today will encourage coordination and information sharing between the MRRD and USAID for this vital topic. In recent years, our countries have made substantial progress in the road construction and power supply sectors in Afghanistan and the United States has provided significant funding for the widely-respected National Solidarity Program.

With the $52 million 3-year project recognized today, we focus our attention on making water – especially potable water – more abundant and easily available. This is, after all, a key to enhancing public health and expanding social and economic development throughout this country.

We are very proud that the United States is funding this important project and assisting the development of sustainable sources for clean drinking water – as well as accompanying sanitation facilities and hygiene education programs.  Increased access to potable water significantly reduces the incidence of infectious disease and contributes to a healthier and more prosperous society.

MRRD and experts charged with stewardship over water resources have already begun to partner with USAID and its implementing partner for this project.

I expect that we will be able to work together closely to facilitate the provision of this assistance and to review and evaluate the effectiveness of the assistance.

This is not the first time that the United States worked with MRRD on the development of water supply and sanitation facilities. We partnered from 2004 to 2007 on a Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Grant Program and advanced clean water initiatives in rural areas of 18 provinces of Afghanistan and, more broadly over the past year, we have committed more than $200 million to projects run through the MRRD.   This time we will touch even more provinces in this important area.

We look forward to continuing to develop these, and future, projects as your friend and partner.  I thank all of you, Minister Jarullah Mansoori, and all the staff of MRRD for the excellent collaboration you have already provided to us and to our contractor, ARD Inc. for the implementation of this project. 

We congratulate all attendees at this important event for their dedication and commitment in the wise use and conservation of potable water resources. 

I am confident that developing and managing Afghanistan’s scarce and valuable water resources will promote prosperity in Afghanistan.

Thank you and congratulations on this fine occasion.