New Delhi, March 22 (KNN) IKEA Foundation, on the occasion of World Water Day, has announced a new grant to Water.org to expand efforts to provide safe water and sanitation to one million people in India and Indonesia. IKEA Foundation is committing €12.4 million to Water.org to expand its Water Credit model, helping families have access to small, affordable loans so they can get safe water and sanitation.

“Our work at Water.org has never been more important, and thanks to this grant and to the IKEA Foundation, we are going to help hundreds of thousands of kids gain access to safe water and sanitation and impact their lives forever,” said Matt Damon, Co-founder of Water.org.

This new grant will scale Water.org’s Water Credit model at an unprecedented level, using microfinance to break down the barriers between people and access to safe water and sanitation, according to a press statement.

“By supporting the development of game-changing approaches like WaterCredit, the IKEA Foundation is helping drive the critical innovation needed to end the water and sanitation crisis,” said Gary White, Water.org Co-Founder and CEO.

The World Bank estimates that 21 percent of communicable diseases in India are linked to unsafe water and the lack of hygiene practices, and 50 percent of India’s population continues to practice open defecation. In Indonesia, more than 33 million people lack access to safe water and 100 million lack access to improved sanitation facilities. This grant is a positive step towards ending the water and sanitation crisis in both countries.

IKEA Foundation CEO added, “We believe that every child deserves a healthy start in life and this is why we are supporting Water.org’s innovative programmes to help families in India and Indonesia access safe water and better sanitation facilities, giving them improved health and a life of dignity.”

The IKEA Foundation (Stichting IKEA Foundation) is the philanthropic arm of INGKA Foundation, the owner of the IKEA Group of companies.

For more than 20 years, Water.org has been at the forefront of developing and delivering solutions to the global water crisis. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org pioneers innovative, community-driven and market-based initiatives to ensure all people have access to safe water and sanitation -- giving women hope, children health and communities a future.

To date, Water.org has positively transformed the lives of more than 3 million people around the world, ensuring a better life for generations ahead.

Water Credit by Water.org puts financial tools to work in the water and sanitation sector. It allows people in need to access small loans for water connections or toilets, empowering them to accelerate change in their own homes and communities.