USAID is thrilled to announce the 2023 Water-Secure World Photo Contest Winners!
These images document ways in which USAID is supporting sustainable and equitable water resources management and access to safe drinking water and sanitation services and hygiene practices around the world. Together, these images capture the breadth of USAID programming to advance the U.S. Global Water Strategy and show how water and sanitation are integral to our lives and livelihoods.
In response to the call for submissions, we received more than 200 photos. The five winning photos provide a glimpse into USAID’s vision of a water-secure future for all.
Scroll to view the winning photos in each category.
Building Resilience Through Strong Water and Wastewater Companies in Egypt
Strategic Objective 1: Strengthen sector governance, financing, institutions, and markets
Chemists in one of Qena Governorate laboratories, in Upper Egypt examine water samples to ensure the quality of produced water. The photo was taken during the activities of the USAID-funded project Integrated Water Solutions Support Technical Assistance, providing technical assistance to Water and Wastewater Companies in five governorates in Upper Egypt.
PHOTO CREDIT: MOHAB ELSHENAWY, TETRA TECH
A Sip of Happiness
Strategic Objective 2: Increase equitable access to safe, sustainable, and climate-resilient water and sanitation services, and the adoption of key hygiene behaviors
Tasting clean water for the first time gave this 13-year-old immense joy. March 2023.
PHOTO CREDIT: RAZAKA RAFENOMANANA DAHERY, RANOWASH PROJECT
USAID Empowers Women Sanitation Business Owners in Rural Bangladesh
Strategic Objective 2: Increase equitable access to safe, sustainable, and climate-resilient water and sanitation services, and the adoption of key hygiene behaviors
Bulbuli Begum, a female sanitation entrepreneur, resides in Barguna, a coastal district of Bangladesh. She is making rings for improved latrines that use a SATO pan. She attended the latrine producers training hosted by USAID’s Feed the Future Bangladesh Nutrition Activity, which trains entrepreneurs on the technical aspects of improved latrines, business management and expansion, marketing to promote products, and market linkage. In rural Bangladesh, where it is rare to see a woman running a sanitation business, her success not only encourages other female entrepreneurs to step foot in this business but also contributes directly to the health of rural Bangladeshis by providing improved and proper sanitation and hygiene management.
PHOTO CREDIT: FEED THE FUTURE BANGLADESH NUTRITION ACTIVITY, ABT ASSOCIATES INC.
Young Female Water Engineer Leads Water Research in Tanzania
Strategic Objective 3: Improve climate-resilient conservation and management of freshwater resources and associated ecosystems
Mariam Mkwabi, a female engineer from the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) Kalambo District, Tanzania measures water quantity and quality during the design process of water infrastructure projects in the area. She is supported by another RUWASA staff member, Marwa Webiro. November 2022.
PHOTO CREDIT: YUSSUF KAJENJE, USAID’S MAJI NA USAFI WA MAZINGIRA (MUM) ACTIVITY, TANZANIA
Water Trucking Site in Kenya
Strategic Objective 4: Anticipate and reduce conflict and fragility related to water
Residents of Oldonyiro ward in Isiolo, fetching clean water at a water trucking site where Action Against Hunger provides water through funding from USAID.
PHOTO CREDIT: ABEL GICHURU, ACTION AGAINST HUNGER
The volume of submissions to this year's contest made it difficult to select only a few winners. Continue scrolling to learn about the honorable mentions.
Strategic Objective 1 Honorable Mentions
Climate-vulnerable People United to Resolve Water Crisis on their Own
PHOTO CREDIT: ROTON MALO, WORLD VISION BANGLADESH
Young Scientists Engage in Water Experiment at School
PHOTO CREDIT: CYNTHIA BOU ZEID, WATER SANITATION AND CONSERVATION PROJECT
Strategic Objective 2 Honorable Mentions
Forging Her Own Path: Building Skills for WASH Entrepreneurship
PHOTO CREDIT: MEKDIM HAILU, USAID TRANSFORM WASH ACTIVITY, PSI ETHIOPIA
Safe Futures Start with Safe Water
PHOTO CREDIT: MELIKTE TADESSE, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER FOR CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES (CRS) ETHIOPIA
EkoLakay Weekly Waste Collection in Haiti
PHOTO CREDIT: CENTRE IMPACT/SAKAPFET OKAP/SOIL
Strategic Objective 3 Honorable Mention
Growing Up Big and Strong with Clean Water
PHOTO CREDIT: EUPHRESIA LUSEKA, USAID KIWASH PROJECT, KENYA
View all winning photos and honorable mentions below.