INTEREST IN AWASH INITIATIVE HIGH, ABILITY TO PAY

UNCLAS SOFIA 000243 SIPDIS SIPDIS EUR/NCE FOR MARK TURNER OES/IHB FOR LINDSEY HILLESHEIM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV TBIO SOCI SUBJECT: INTEREST IN AWASH INITIATIVE HIGH, ABILITY TO PAY EXTREMELY LOW REF: SECSTATE 033499 In response to reftel, Post considered its ability to participate in the Ambassador's Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools (WASH) initiative. While we believe that this program would be of great value, particularly in schools serving vulnerable populations, we have no feasible way to fund our contribution in the current budgetary environment. If the possibility exists for embassies to participate in this program, without providing match funds, we believe that we would be able to find a non-governmental partner for this activity. For example, in 2005, the Earth Forever Foundation received a Democracy Commission grant to address ill-maintained, dilapidated, and non-functioning toilets in schools in Bulgaria, which the Foundation identified as critical need. Beyrle