7.05.2006 - 01:25pm ET

(CSRwire) SEATTLE - The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the philanthropic leader in water development for needy populations, has awarded World Vision grants totaling $7.2 million to fund two major water and sanitation projects in Ethiopia, building upon its successful history with World Vision in Mali, Niger, and Ghana through its West Africa Water Initiative (WAWI).

The Hilton Foundation grants will support World Vision's five-year Ethiopia Water and Sanitation Project (EWSP) beginning in October 2006 and ending in September 2011. The project will be implemented in seven community development areas, and will supply safe water to 340,000 people and help 170,000 of these individuals access improved sanitation by the end of 2011.

In addition, World Vision is participating in the four-year Millennium Water Alliance project to improve the health and well-being of 110,000 people in eight additional community development areas by providing sustainable, safe water sources, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education.

"World Vision is deeply grateful to the Hilton Foundation for its continued commitment to saving lives through safe water," said Rich Stearns, World Vision President. "Our 16-year partnership has yielded world-class water management systems throughout West Africa, and it is remarkable to consider the human impact that these new resources will make possible in Ethiopia."

Ethiopia is among the bottom 4 percent of the United Nation's Development Index and there is widespread need for clean water and sanitation. Life expectancy in Ethiopia is only 47 years, and the mortality rate for children younger than 5 is 169 per 1,000 live births. In addition, Ethiopia has the highest incidence of blinding trachoma in the world - a disease directly linked to lack of safe water. The number of ophthalmologists to Ethiopians is one to 1 million, and one ophthalmologist to approximately 5 million people in rural areas. It is imperative to provide safe water and improved sanitation and hygiene measures to prevent trachoma before it requires surgery. World Vision has worked in Ethiopia since 1971.

How to Help

Donations to World Vision's water and sanitation projects in Ethiopia are used to match the Hilton Foundation's generous grants, thereby increasing the number of children who can be provided with safe water and sanitation. To make a donation, call (800) 777-1229 or visit http://www.worldvision.org/waterislife.

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. World Vision serves the poor regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, visit http://www.worldvision.org.

About the Hilton Foundation

Based in Los Angeles, the Hilton Foundation was created in 1944 by the late hotel entrepreneur and business leader, Conrad N. Hilton, who left his fortune to the foundation with instructions to help the most disadvantaged and vulnerable throughout the world without regard to religion, ethnicity or geography. Along with its related entities, the foundation has total assets of approximately $2.6 billion and, since its inception, has provided more than $450 million for charitable projects throughout the United States and the world. It is well known for its $1.5 million Hilton Humanitarian Prize, the world's largest humanitarian prize awarded annually to an organization that is significantly alleviating human suffering. The foundation is an independent nonprofit organization and is not part of the Hilton Hotels Corporation. For more information, visit http://www.hiltonfoundation.org

About the Millennium Water Alliance

The Millennium Water Alliance, established in 2002, is an alliance of international nongovernmental organizations with experience and expertise in rural and peri-urban water supply, hygiene education, and sanitation promotion. The MWA's goal is to provide safe water, hygiene, and sanitation for 500 million poor people worldwide by 2015. Members of the MWA include World Vision, CARE, Living Water International, and WaterAid.

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