Swiss-USAID IUWASH PLUS helps 1.6 million Indonesians gain access to safe drinking water and sanitation

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The United States and Indonesia have partnered for five years in a USAID Indonesia Urban Water, Sanitation, and Environmental Health Hygiene program for All (USAID IUWASH PLUS).

As a result, more than 1.6 million people, including nearly 530,000 people from low-income groups in Indonesia, now have access to drinking water, and more than 965 thousand people have access to safe managed sanitation.

Since June 2016, through the program, USAID has partnered with various agencies in central government, 35 district/city governments, service providers, and private sector stakeholders, with a particular focus on low-income and vulnerable communities. The United States government through USAID has been supporting the achievement of Indonesia's water and sanitation targets since 2007.

"For more than 15 years, the partnership between the United States and Indonesia has increased access to safe water and sanitation for approximately 7.6 million Indonesians," said USAID Indonesia Director Jeffery P. Cohen in his remarks at the program closing ceremony on Monday 18 January 2022. .

"Going forward, the United States will continue to support Indonesia's commitment to providing safe water and sanitation services while reducing climate-related risks," added Cohen.

Over the past five years, USAID and partners have helped more than 355,000 people gain access to basic sanitation services, including more than 258,000 of them from the poorest 40 percent of the population.

More than 32 local governments have officially adopted 111 supporting policies for improving water, sanitation and hygiene in 32 districts/cities throughout Indonesia. USAID support has also attracted approximately $235 million in funding from central and local government budgets as well as private sector investment for programs and infrastructure in the areas of drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Tri Dewi Virgiyanti, Director of Housing and Settlements at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, said that the Government of Indonesia's strong commitment and partnership with USAID will contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (TPB/SDGs).

"We really appreciate USAID's important partnership in supporting the Government of Indonesia's major commitment to achieving the 2030 SDG target," said Tri Dewi Virgiyanti, adding that this commitment was also included in the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), which targets 100% achievement. access to safe drinking water, including 15% safe drinking water, and 90% access to proper sanitation, including 15% safe sanitation.

4.5 Million Dollar Contribution from Switzerland
In 2019, Switzerland through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) contributed 4.5 million dollars to the USAID IUWASH PLUS program, bringing the total value of this joint investment to 48 million dollars.

Additional funding from SECO has helped seven local water companies (PDAMs) reduce water loss and increase energy efficiency. The partnership has reduced water loss by 3.1 percent, increased energy efficiency by 20 percent, and attracted $5.9 million in funding for PDAM performance improvements.

"Switzerland is proud to partner with the Government of Indonesia and USAID to improve drinking water services," said Andrea Zbinden, Deputy Director of SECO Indonesia.

"This effort strengthens the institutional capacity and performance of PDAMs and can ultimately improve access to drinking water for Indonesian citizens. We hope that the results and lessons learned from this program will help expand drinking water infrastructure in Indonesia and develop institutional models to improve the efficiency of water resource management in Indonesia. the whole country," he said.