World Bank Launches US$40 Million Phase II of its Water Partnership Program
WASHINGTON, May 21, 2013 – The World Bank launched today Phase II of its Water Partnership Program (WPP), a joint partnership between the World Bank and the Governments of several other countries with an initial contribution of US$40 million.
Building on past successes, Phase II represents a bolder effort to strengthen the role of water as a key platform for development and growth, and to support the World Bank’s vision for water. Working at the nexus of water with food, energy, environment, and human development, Phase II will help countries to become resilient to climate change and achieve their development objectives by improving water management and water services.
“Water is the primary medium through which climate change will impact people, economies, and ecosystems”, said Rachel Kyte, Vice President of the World Bank’s Sustainable Development Network. “In this context, the challenge of water security is greater than we think. If we do not act now, hundreds of millions of people will be at greater risk of food and energy shortages, disease and poverty. This new phase of our Water Partnership Program will enable us to be more proactive in offering smart, innovative solutions to help countries build resilience and protect their people and economies.”
