Borealis and Borouge, the joint Austrian-Arab petrochemicals refiners, have celebrated a decade running their Water for the World programme, having helped 800,000 people to access clean water.
Their programme works with charities and the private sector, with work across Asia and Africa, including communities in India, Pakistan, Nepal, China, Ethiopia and Kenya, providing sanitation to around 800,000 people.
The United Nations estimates that at least 1.8 billion people drink water contaminated with sewage, while 2.4 billion people lack basic sanitation such as toilets or latrines. This contributes to nearly 1,000 children dying each day due to preventable diseases and is a major hurdle for the development of both people and nations.
Water for the World project in Vietnam
Water for the World’s focus uses local projects to improving access to safe water and sanitation, preserves water management knowledge, and raises awareness of sanitation.
After a 2017 project to bring prepayment standpipes to the Kahawa slum in Nairobi, one of the new projects will provide sanitation facilities at Thach Ha District Hospital, in the north of Vietnam. Water for the World joined with Borouge’s local agent Han Huy Trading and Singapore-based NHO Lien Aid, for the project.
Water for the World will also provide pipes for around 5,000 people, after monsoon rains destroyed much of the infrastructure in mountain villages in Northern Pakistan, with Pakistani non-governmental organisation HEED.
Mark Garrett, Borealis CEO, “The challenge of ensuring people have access to water and sanitation remains urgent and Water for the World will continue its work. Borealis has an important role to play, using our high-quality polyethylene pipes to create long-lasting, resilient and low-maintenance networks.”
Wim Roels, CEO of Borouge, said: “Project after project, we see our creative solutions come to life and make a tangible impact on the communities around us, helping people and driving progress.”
Ahmed O. Abdulla, CEO of Abu Dhabi Polymers Company (Borouge), said: “The first 10 years of Water for the World have brought us great experience and pride, and we have exciting plans for the next decade.”
