UNESCO Launches $8 Million Water Initiative in Tanzania and Kenya
UNESCO has announced an $8 million project to improve groundwater management in Tanzania and Kenya, focusing on preserving 400 acres of Mount Kilimanjaro's forest, a key water source for over two million people. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the initiative combines scientific research with local community efforts to enhance water security in the region.
The project will include mapping regional aquifer systems to improve groundwater management, with the aim of providing an additional 100,000 people with direct access to drinking water. UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay highlighted the urgency of protecting Kilimanjaro’s melting glaciers, while Tanzanian and Kenyan officials reaffirmed their countries' commitment to sustainable water solutions. The initiative is expected to support long-term water conservation and mitigate seasonal shortages affecting hundreds of thousands in the region.
Source: Business Insider Africa