UNICEF: Bringing fresh water to thousands in Sri Lanka

TANGALLE, Sri Lanka, 4 September 2008 -- Until the opening of the UNICEF-funded Tangalle Water Supply Scheme in southern Sri Lanka last week, Apsara Gunaratne's problems were much like those of the approximately 1 billion other people around the world who live without access to safe water.

Ms. Gunaratne, 30, had to walk long distances to fetch water, thus losing crucial hours where she needed to earn an income. Often, the water she retrieved was dirty or unsanitary, so she and her children fell ill.

When the Indian Ocean tsunami struck Sri Lanka in 2004, Ms. Gunaratne's situation got even worse. The tsunami killed more than 30,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands more. The massive displacement put enormous pressure on already strained social services, including water supply.

The project will more than triple the access to safe drinking water for those living in this area. The inauguration of the Tangalle Water Supply Scheme was conducted by Sri Lanka's President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and UNICEF's Representative in Sri Lanka, Philippe Duamelle.

To read the full story, visit: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/sri_lanka_45501.html

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• UNICEF
• Sri
• Lanka
• Tangalle
• Water
• Supply
• tsunami
• hygiene
• children
• health

[lakcarlos]

muy buen video educativo interesante cool

[sureshsrikath]

These tanks are installed in the liberated east and soon will be in the liberated Vanni.