More than a dozen non-governmental organizations, some of them coalitions of charities, foundations and companies, together pledged more than $400 million in various efforts to improve access to clean water and sanitation in the developing world.
The effort, dubbed the "Global Health Mega-Commitment on Water and Sanitation" for the Clinton Global Initiative, aims to reach 8.5 million people and provide a billion liters of clean water to developing areas over the next several years.
Among the most visible donors: Napo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NAPL.LN), with a $300 million pledge for anti-diarrheal drugs over seven to eight years in parts of Africa; the actor Matt Damon, who is pledging $1 million for one year through his H20 Africa Foundation and the ONEXONE foundation; Procter & Gamble Co. (PG) with an $18.5 million donation over two years; and PepsiCo Inc.'s (PEP) philanthropic arm, which is partnering with a coalition called WaterPartners International to deliver some $4 million in grants and micro-credit loans to India over three years.
