The Australian Government is providing US$17.5-million for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) transboundary water management programme, according to the Australian High Commission in SA.

It aims to provide millions of people with safer drinking water, improve water supplies and help reduce conflict.

According to the Australian prime minister’s special envoy, Bob McMullan, who is visiting Maputo during the SADC Summit, the Australian assistance is a vital element of Australia’s growing engagement in the SADC region. Australian assistance to the transboundary water management programme builds on assistance from the German and British governments.

“Australia has strong political, diplomatic and commercial links with all SADC countries and our partnerships have grown significantly in recent years. Our development cooperation with the various countries in the region for 2011-12 is over US$100-m,” McMullan said.