Nairobi, 10 September 2014: The Kingdom of Thailand, through its embassy in Kenya has provided a contribution of USD 32,500 to support UN-Habitat’s Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Programme (LVWATSAN) which aims to assist small towns in the Lake Victoria in meeting the MDGs for water and sanitation.

The project dubbed “Thailand and UN-Habitat partnership for WASH in schools” will target the School Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Component of LVWATSAN and will be implemented in two urban schools within Kisumu and Kakamega Counties in Kenya. The project will provide safe drinking water and improved sanitation for approximately 1,023 students and teachers as well as improved hygiene awareness and practices.

Mr. Athikom Daengpun, the Kingdom of Thailand’s First Secretary and Deputy Permanent Representative to UNEP, UN-Habitat, and UNON made the cheque presentation at the United Nations Offices at Gigiri.

Handing over the financial contribution to UN-Habitat representative Mr. Andre Dzikus, the First Secretary pointed out that his government was pleased to work with UN-Habitat in improving the lives of children in Kenya.

Mr. Dzikus expressed UN-Habitat’s appreciation for the contribution and noted that improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation in schools and other public institutions has long been a key objective of UN-Habitat in its efforts to promote a healthy and more sustainable environment in urban and peri-urban areas.  

There is a high demand for improved water and sanitation services in schools in Kenya and the partnership between the Kingdom of Thailand and UN-Habitat will make it possible to expand the School WASH Programme. Over 7,000 school children and teachers in the country are beneficiaries of a similar initiative.