The United Nations Development Programme and The Coca-Cola Foundation have launched a new regional water access initiative in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, expanding a decade-long partnership aimed at improving access to clean drinking water in some of the most remote and vulnerable communities affected by the Aral Sea crisis. The initiative, titled “Enhancing Resilience of Remote Communities in Aral Sea Regions of Uzbekistan,” will support communities in both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, recognizing the cross-border nature of the region’s water challenges.
The new project builds on the success of previous UNDP and Coca-Cola Foundation interventions that have already transformed water access in underserved communities. In Kosterek community, a reverse osmosis desalination system restored access to safe drinking water for more than 1,200 residents, while in Khilol community, a 12-kilometer water supply network provided clean running water to over 3,000 people for the first time. Years after implementation, both systems continue to operate successfully, demonstrating the long-term impact of sustained investment in water infrastructure.
Under the latest phase of the partnership, new water infrastructure projects will be implemented in the remote Karakalpakstan communities of Kostruba, Karabayli, and Daukara. The initiative includes the construction of a new water station, rehabilitation of aging water systems, and improvements to local water distribution networks. Collectively, these investments are expected to provide reliable access to safe drinking water for thousands of residents who currently face significant challenges obtaining clean water.
Karakalpakstan experiences some of the most severe water-related challenges in Central Asia due to its location at the end of the Amu Darya River basin and the long-term environmental consequences of the Aral Sea’s decline. Water reaching the region often contains elevated levels of salinity and pollutants, creating health, economic, and social challenges for local communities. Women and girls are particularly affected, as they frequently bear the responsibility of collecting water, limiting opportunities for education, employment, and community participation.
The initiative aims to address these challenges by improving public health, reducing the burden of water collection, supporting educational opportunities, and strengthening economic resilience. Reliable access to clean water is expected to reduce waterborne diseases, lower household expenditures on health-related issues, and create conditions that support broader social and economic development.
Since 2011, the partnership between UNDP and The Coca-Cola Foundation has focused on delivering sustainable water solutions to communities facing the greatest environmental and development challenges. By combining financial support, technical expertise, and community-based implementation approaches, the partnership continues to expand access to essential water services while promoting resilience, inclusion, and sustainable development throughout the Aral Sea region.
