Jilin China: One more water and sanitation project supported by DNV has been completed and handed over to the local villagers. Since 2005, DNV has been continuously supporting the water and sanitation projects in Northeastern China by collaborating with the Norwegian and Chinese Red Cross. In total, more than 3000 villagers of 1000 households have benefited from the projects.
The local villagers gathered in a recent ceremony in Sanfeng Village, singing and dancing to celebrate the clean drink water arrived and the sanitation facility for each household was delivered for use. “We now have clean and safe drinking water and improved sanitary conditions. Our life quality is greatly improved. The most important thing is that we feel much happier and have more confidence in the future.” One of the villagers told his visitors after the ceremony.
Norwegian Ambassador to China Svein Sæther was present at the ceremony. He highly appraised the project and the obvious benefits the project has brought to the local villagers. “It’s encouraging to see that the project is helping to improve the health and wellbeing of the people here. The project as such helps stimulate the communication and strengthens the friendship between the two peoples of Norway and China,” commented Mr. Sæther.
The project in Sanfeng Village consisted of bringing clean water from a nearby mountain through a gravity tank and modern piping system to each household and constructing an ecological sanitation facility for each family in the village. Health training and education were also an important part of the project. 483 villagers of 160 households have benefited from the project.
Continuous commitment from DNV
Since 2005, DNV has been continuously supporting the water and sanitation projects in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in Jilin Province by collaborating with the Norwegian and Chinese Red Cross. By far a total of eight projects have been completed and more than 3000 local villagers of 1000 households have benefited from the projects.
According to the local villagers, the projects have greatly improved their daily life quality and health. The projects have ended the local history of drinking unsafe water and poor sanitation condition, and consequently reduced the incidence of all kinds of digestive tract diseases, intestinal and parasitic diseases and endemic diseases.
Commenting on DNV’s contribution to the project, Vice President and Area Chair Joerg Beiler says, “Corporate responsibility is an integral part of DNV’s management system and business culture. We are committed to taking social responsibility in the countries where we operate.”
“We are pleased that what we are doing here is recognized and have helped the life of the local residents. We will continue to support the water and sanitation project in Jilin, which is part of our strategic development in China,” concludes Mr. Beiler.