Land Rover has announced a three year partnership with the Irish Red Cross, helping to bring safe drinking water to regions of Niger affected by drought and failed harvests.

The partnership has already seen great success with the first Land Rover funded water tower completed in November 2014, benefiting 3,000 people in the village of Tchimattan, plus thousands more from communities in the surrounding Tanout region. A further two towers will be built over the course of the partnership, aiming to reach more than 12,000 beneficiaries in total.

With improved access to safe water, children will stay healthy and can attend school; in the long term benefitting themselves, their families and the entire community. Parents will also stay healthy and be able to work and support their families and their local economy.  Separate water points for animals will ensure animal health and a ready supply of water will allow for the irrigation of local crops.

Eddie Kavanagh, General Manager, Land Rover Ireland, said: "We at Land Rover are proud of our association with the Irish Red Cross.  Last year we committed to support the excellent work it does to bring help and relief to the people of Niger.  By working together through Jaguar Land Rover's new Global Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, this partnership will help to deliver practical, sustainable help to communities and individuals worldwide.”

The Irish Red Cross has been working in Niger, frequently ranked as the world’s poorest country, since 2005, when the charity responded to a severe food shortage in the country.  Following that initial emergency response, the Irish Red Cross established Niger as its priority country on the African continent, working to address the underlying causes of vulnerability and build local resilience.  To date, the charity has provided assistance to over 120,000 individuals across 75 different communities.

John Roche, Head of International Services with the Irish Red Cross, welcomed the partnership, ““Land Rover’s support is a significant and welcome boost to our work in Niger.  By working together we can accelerate the reach of our water and sanitation programmes that already support thousands of people.  There is an extreme need for access to clean water.”

Land Rover is also the official sponsor of the Irish Red Cross annual fundraising adventure the Sunrise Summit Challenge.  Simultaneously taking place at six mountain locations across Ireland on 12th of April, the Sunrise Summit Challenge will see participants hike up to the mountain summits in time to see the sun rise over Ireland.  Sunrise Summit raises much needed funds for the charity’s work with vulnerable communities overseas and in Ireland. To take part, register online at www.redcross.ie/sunrisesummit