GUBA – On October 11, due to joint efforts between Azerbaijan and the United States, residents of Gimilgazma village of Guba district celebrated the completion of water access improvement project in the community. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); along with the Ministry of Economy, the local Executive Committee, and the municipal government. USAID and the Government of Azerbaijan co-financed the construction, which was managed by the East-West Management Institute (EWMI).

“The United States is committed to partnering with Azerbaijan.  By working together, we can achieve stability, democratic progress, and economic prosperity,” USAID Mission Director Mikaela Meredith said during the opening ceremony. “A primary goal of the United States Agency for International Development is to help the Azerbaijani people come together to create solutions for themselves.  And the residents of Gimilgazma can be proud that they have done just that. It is because of their efforts we are here today opening this new water improvement system.”

The project will improve living and sanitary conditions for more than 500 residents in the village, helping resolve long-standing shortages of non-potable water. This project will eliminate the women and children’s burden that includes carrying water from distant wells for daily use. With technical support from EWMI, the Gimilgazma community installed two concrete water tanks with a 15 and 25 metric ton capacity and 850 meters of new pipes. 

In total, EWMI has implemented 87 community projects in 77 Azerbaijani communities benefiting nearly 120,000 people. Through USAID’s Socio-Economic Development Activity (SEDA) program, EWMI promotes cooperation between citizens, civil society organizations, and government to advance socio-economic development and improve quality of life in rural areas.