Istanbul Provides Potable Water for 1.2 Million Ethiopians

As a result of a recently completed 15-month project carried out by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) and the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TİKA) to meet water needs in Ethiopia, 42 water wells have been opened in the country. The protocol covered the formation of a technical team, supplied with drilling tools and other necessary equipment.

The project was initiated when an e-mail describing water shortages in Ethiopia was sent to Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş two years ago. A water help protocol was prepared for Ethiopia by TİKA and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO). The protocol covered the formation of a technical team, supplied with drilling tools and other necessary equipment.

According to the protocol, signed by the Ethiopian Ministry of Water Resources and the IMM, the places most in need of water were identified. The IMM covered the technical aspects of the project, the drilling of wells and the training of workers in the region. Financial support for the project was provided by charities supported by businessmen. One-and-a-half months after the project began, water was found for the first time at a depth of 246 meters. This well now provides 170 tons of water per day.

Source: http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=178355