USAID To Support Handwashing Stations in South Africa

The United States government contributed $500,000 to UNICEF for the construction of handwashing stations in South Africa, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development last week. The facilities will be implemented in vulnerable communities and informal settlements as an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

“Hand washing with soap is a simple and effective way to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, but for too many people this is not possible,” UNICEF Representative to South Africa Jama Gulaid said in a statement.

UNICEF is working with partners Envirosan and World Vision South Africa in both the installation of the stations and community education. Construction of the handwashing stations began in early June in Northern Johannesburg, with the hope to build facilities in 150 locations throughout the country by the end of August.

The United States commitment to South Africa’s Covid-19 response is over $44 million.