Australia has announced a new funding programme, the Australian Aid (AusAid) civil society, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) fund, for water and sanitation projects in Africa.

Australia will partner with nongovernment organisations to deliver better access to water, sanitation and hygiene practices.

The AusAID Civil Society WASH Fund is a $97-million competitive grants programme that will run from this month to February 2017 and will support civil society organisations in delivering WASH programmes in Africa, Asia and the Pacific.

The core objective of the fund is to enhance the health and quality of life of the poor and vulnerable by improving sustainable access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

Water-related diseases claim the lives of 6 000 people each day and diarrhoea kills 1.5-million children every year. “It is the second leading cause of death in children under the age of five.

“The Australian government will provide further assistance for less-privileged communities to gain access to safe water, as well as improved sanitation and hygiene practices,” says High Commissioner to South Africa Ann Harrap.

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