Today, the United States, through USAID, launched Mozambique's five-year High Priority Country Plan as part of the U.S. Government Global Water Strategy. The announcement, made during Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman's trip to Mozambique, underscores the U.S. commitment to expanding support to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in Mozambique.
USAID's investments in the water and sanitation sector in Mozambique will provide access to water services and basic sanitation and services for at least 325,000 people and will provide basic water and sanitation services for 90 schools and clinics. Importantly, USAID's investments will strengthen the Mozambican water and sanitation institutions, such as district water offices, regulators, and water service providers. Ultimately, USAID's investments aim to mobilize additional private sector funding of up to $21 million for the water, sanitation, and hygiene sectors.
Water security, sanitation, and hygiene needs in Mozambique are significant. In 2022, it was estimated that only 63 percent of Mozambicans had access to basic water services. The sanitation sector is even more challenging, only 38 percent of the population had access to basic sanitation facilities.
Over the next five years, USAID will work with the Government of Mozambique to expand access to water and sanitation services and products, and strengthen national and local institutional capacity to manage water resources in a resilient and sustainable manner.
This water strategy signals a new era of collaboration and progress, underscoring the U.S. government's unwavering dedication to global water security. Support for water, sanitation, and hygiene is a critical component of the broader U.S. government assistance in Mozambique. The U.S. government provides more than $812 million in annual assistance to improve the quality of healthcare and education in Mozambique and to promote economic prosperity and stability.
