ROUND TABLE ON RURAL WATER SUPPLY IN MOROCCO TO REACH OUT TO POTENTIAL DONORS
Press Release
DEV/2107
ROUND TABLE ON RURAL WATER SUPPLY IN MOROCCO TO REACH OUT TO POTENTIAL DONORS
19960410 NEW YORK, 9 April (DDSMS) -- A round table on rural water supply in Morocco, to be held in New York at United Nations Headquarters on 10 April, is being organized with the aim of reaching out to potential donors.This sectoral meeting will take place within the framework of a project co-founded by the Government of Morocco and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the United Nations Department for Development Support and Services (DDSMS) as implementing agency.
During the International Decade for Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation, 1.7 billion people enjoyed access to safe water and hundreds of millions to sanitation facilities. However, 1.2 billion people are still lacking adequate access to these services. As a result, 2 million children die every year from water-related diseases. In 1990, it was estimated that world-wide coverage of those services by the year 2000 would require a yearly effort of $50 billion. Irrigated agriculture represents one third of the world food production and one ton of cereal requires 1000 cubic metres of water. Agriculture is by far the biggest consumer of fresh water resources and yet irrigated land represents only 16 per cent of all cultivated land. Sediment accumulation (clogging) and soil salinity already affect one hectare in 10.
The Government of Morocco is currently attaching highest priority to the development of food self-sufficiency and to the improvement of working and living conditions of the populations in rural areas, starting with the provision of a very basic need -- drinkable water. The master plan for rural water supply has been completed, and its implementation requires substantial financing. At the round table, a technical presentation of follow-up projects will be made for prospective donors.
The meeting will be attended by Meziane Belfkih, Minister for Public Works, Morocco; Ahmed Snoussi, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations; Jin Yongjian, Under-Secretary General, United Nations Department for Development Support and Management Services (DDSMS); and F. Fokeladeh, Resident Representative of UNDP in Morocco.
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