Matt Damon's H2O Africa has joined with WaterPartners to create a new organization, Water.org with headquarters in Kansas City. WaterPartners, founded in Kansas City, USA, in 1990 by Gary White, helps communities in South Asia, Central America and Africa gain access to safe water and sanitation through grants and micro-credit financing.

White, said with the new incarnation as Water.org and Damon’s advocacy, he expected to double or triple the number of people served over the next two to three years. WaterPartners had a 2008 budget of US$ 5.4 million, largely from grants. In 2008, WaterPartners helped about 142,000 people, more than triple the number of people served in 2007.

Damon helped create awareness for water supply problems in Africa with H2O Africa, which was founded in conjunction with the “Running the Sahara” expedition and film project.

Source: Maria Suudekum, AP / Columbia Missourian, 15 Jul 2009