ADB provides $3m grant to improve safe water supply, sanitation in Ebeye

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sanctioned a $3m grant to improve safe water supply, sanitation and reduce waterborne diseases in Ebeye, the island of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

ADB Pacific Regional Department’s Principal Urban Development specialist Stephen Blaik said: “The additional financing sought by the government will strengthen the sustainability of the current Ebeye Water Supply and Sanitation Project and increase the project benefits.

“The project will also help build awareness of basic hygiene practices to raise public health standards, which is critical during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Ebeye is the second-largest urban hub of the Marshall Islands. About 9,200 people live on 31 hectares of land, which makes it a densely populated area in the Pacific.

Furthermore, the island is susceptible to several waterborne and other transmissible diseases, including Covid-19.

This project is in line with the Marshall Islands’ water and sanitation policy objectives, as defined in the draft National Strategic Plan 2020–2030.

The project is set to run until 2022 and the $3m grant provided by ADB comes from its Special Funds Resources.

In September 2015, ADB provided a grant of $5m from its Asian Development Fund. The project also received a grant of $4m from the Government of Australia.

The executing and implementing agencies for the current project are Office of the Chief Secretary and Kwajalein Atoll Joint Utilities Resources, respectively.