Etiqa Life Insurance Cambodia (ELIC) and WaterAid Cambodia on December 8 launched a co-funding programme to supply clean water to nearly 200 families in Kandal province, located just outside the capital Phnom Penh.

Funded by Etiqa in collaboration with WaterAid Cambodia – a leading international NGO – the undertaking to provide clean water for people in Kandal is part of Etiqa’s corporate responsibility commitment towards healthy living.

The launch was officiated by the honourable Dato’ Johan Ariffin, Chairman of Etiqa Life Insurance Cambodia, Datuk R Karunakaran, Chairman of Etiqa International Holdings Sdn Bhd, Vuthy Horng, CEO of Etiqa Life Insurance Cambodia Plc, and Chat Sophiep, Water Aid Cambodia Country Director.

“At Etiqa, we believe in the philosophy of humanising insurance services. We are about helping people, and delivering upon promises made.

"This is reflected in the way we conduct business, while making a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud to partner with WaterAid Cambodia to embark on the Clean Water programme to make a difference to the community.

"The one-year partnership to provide a clean water supply to people in Kandal province is indicative of Etiqa Life Insurance Cambodia’s commitment towards a cause we strongly believe in," Dato’ Johan said.

The Clean Water Programme, in collaboration with WaterAid Cambodia, will improve access to a clean water supply for the vulnerable and marginalised.

The programme has been designed to be sustainable in the long run, and completion of the project in December 2023 will also bring about an heightened sense of responsibility and ownership of the water connection and consumption among beneficiaries.

“Water and sanitation is simple yet critical to saving lives as a lack of sanitation kills or traps people in poverty. Without access to sanitation and safe water, people face health risks, especially women, children and people with disabilities. It also lowers their economic productivity.

“The world promised that everyone would have access to safely managed water and sanitation by 2030, and Cambodia has also committed to achieve this target. Though the country has made great progress in water and sanitation coverage, there is no time to waste.

"Together we need to speed up and strategically address the issues to ensure that everyone has access to water and sanitation as a human right and leave no one behind," said Sophiep, WaterAid Cambodia Country Director.