UNDP to Build on Projects in Zanzibar - Announces Sh220m of Support
The additional support will build on existing water and sanitation projects that have just been launched.
The UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Alvaro Rodriguez yesterday visited Zanzibar in a continuation and expansion of UNDP-supported projects in Unguja and Pemba. The UN Chief made several stops in Unguja, to see several water-access projects as well as an environmental conservation project. The three-day field visit in Zanzibar is part of UN efforts to monitor projects and meet beneficiaries in communities.
In Unguja, Mr. Rodriguez visited a USD 90,000 water project in Kijwajuni Constituency, Zanzibar Town, where the lives of over 25,000 people have improved through the project which facilitates access to clean water.
He later visited a USD 50,000 UNDP-supported Community Based Conservation Project in Kajengwa, Makunduchi. The conservation project has helped over 15,000 people, mostly women, who previously depended on firewood for cooking. They now have access to more efficient cooking stoves. The project also supported the community in planting over 100,000 trees in the area and established 200 beehives which have helped improve nutrition and provide additional income.
The water and the conservation projects have been running for several years and now that the first phase has been successfully implemented, both projects will be scaled-up. Each project is set to receive Sh.110,000,000 this year through the UNDP Small Grants Programme to begin implementation of phase two.
Announcing UNDP's support to the water project Mr. Rodriguez told the community, “We are here to address the needs of the community as it related to water. We know that you’ve had big challenges when it comes to accessing water and we know that the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, your MPs and community leaders want to assist you. In the UN we’re very committed to what we call the Sustainable Development Goals which is a vision for development that the UN, Tanzania and the world have committed to. To assist in this process I’m very happy to announce that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will be able to provide Sh. 110,000,000 for the water project in this community.
On Friday and Saturday, the UN Chief will also visit a number of schools where UN agencies, namely UNICEF and UNDP, are set to begin Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects later this year. These WASH projects will cover ten schools. Of these ten schools, the ones that will be visited include Mkwajuni Secondary School in Kaskazini, Unguja and Wingwi Primary School in Micheweni District, Pemba.
