JAKARTA – The U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has donated 20 handwashing stations to Bogor District, West Java. Today, U.S. Charge d’Affaires a.i. Heather Variava and Bogor District Assistant for Governance and Community Welfare Renaldi Yushab Fiansyah participated in a handover ceremony at the Ciawi Puskesmas (Community Health Post) in Bogor.
Handwashing with soap remains a simple yet effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These stations are the first batch of 250 total handwashing stations that will be installed in nine densely populated cities (Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya, Deli Serdang, Depok, Kabupaten Bogor, Sidoarjo, Gresik, and Kota Malang) as part of U.S. emergency assistance for COVID-19. In total, the 250 handwashing stations will improve access to clean water and soap for 250,000 community members.
“When a global health crisis arises, America responds with timely, appropriate, and expert assistance. We remain committed to cooperating with Indonesia in the fight against COVID-19, even while we still battle the pandemic at home. These donated handwashing stations will help prevent the spread of disease,” said CDA Variava.
Some 82 percent of Indonesians lack access to piped water. The consequences of poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services are felt most acutely by low-income families in urban areas. USAID assists the Government of Indonesia to increase access to WASH services and improve hygiene behaviors. To ensure sustainability, USAID strengthens WASH service delivery systems so they can more effectively reach the poorest and most vulnerable. Through USAID, the U.S. Government has supported water programs in Indonesia for over 15 years. Our partnerships have improved access to clean water and sanitation for nearly 5.7 million Indonesians.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for handwashing with soap. We are sincerely grateful for the assistance and support that the United States Government and USAID are providing through their hygiene and sanitation project, which is helping to address the basic needs of Bogor City residents,” said Head of Bogor District Ade Yasin, as conveyed by Renaldi. Bogor’s 20 handwashing stations will be installed in ten markets and ten health posts throughout the city.
The United States is the largest contributor to global public health, and continues to help friends and allies through an “All-of-America” effort that includes government, multilateral, business, NGOs, and faith-based aid. Over the past 20 years, USAID has invested over $1 billion into Indonesia’s health sector, building a strong foundation for a more effective COVID-19 response. The handwashing stations are just one aspect of the U.S. Embassy’s emergency assistance to Indonesia in the fight against COVID-19.
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