As some areas in Egypt are still suffering from water scarcity, the United Nations Human Rights Council decided to visit various African countries, including Egypt, to consider the measures adopted by these countries to facilitate access to safe drinking water and sanitation. The Independent Expert of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque, visited Egypt a few days ago. A press conference on the preliminary findings of the Independent Expert's visit will be held on Sunday. She preferred to firstly visit Cairo's poorest area in terms of water; Izbat al-Hagana. When she asked why this area suffers from water scarcity, an Egyptian official said a five-phase project has been implemented in the region. Two phases have been completed and work is under way in the third. The Executive Office of Drinking Water and Sanitation would implement the remaining two phases during the coming few years.
Well-informed sources said Ahmed el-Maghrabi, Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development, selected the Holding Company for Drinking Water and Sanitation to inform the United Nations envoy of the obstacles facing Egypt to facilitate access to sanitation in all governorates. Egypt needs some LE 80 billion to do that under the PPP system.
The sources said the company focused on the challenges Egypt faced to provide 99% of Egypt's cities and villages with drinking water. It added that there is a general plan to provide all governorates with drinking waster and sanitation services.
The Independent Expert visited Cairo Water Services Center in Ramsis Square, and Mustorod Drinking Water Station. She will also visit Alexandria Sewage Plant, Qena Governorate, and Luxor City.
