U.S. Ambassador to Cairo Visits North Sinai, tours Al Arish main desalination facility

Cairo – 24 June 2021:The United States Ambassador to Egypt Jonathan R. Cohen traveled to Al Arish, North Sinai, Last week, where he met North Sinai Governor Major General Mohamed Abdel-Fadel Shousha.

Cohen toured a U.S. Government funded seawater desalination plant, and discussed security issues with Egypt’s Second Field Army Commander.

 

The US Ambassador Cohen toured Al Arish’s main desalination facility that provides 126,0000 residents with potable water. This seawater desalination plant opened in 2020 and is part of a $50 million North Sinai Initiative, ensuring all 450,000 residents have clean water.

In addition to the seawater plant, the U.S. has built 14 deep wells, six groundwater desalination plants, four water reservoirs, and procured 50 water distribution trucks. At the desalination plant, the Ambassador and USAID’s Acting Mission Director Margaret Sancho sampled the desalinated seawater straight from the tap.

 

The Ambassador also met with representatives of the Second Field Army, where he was briefed on the security situation in North Sinai, the importance of economic development in the fight against terrorism, and on the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) supplied by the U.S. to the Egyptian military.

During his tour, Ambassador Cohen said that “the US is committed to helping Egypt achieve peace, stability in North Sinai. I am pleased to see our important investments in development and security contribute to the well-being of the people of North Sinai.”