a more recent pilot project for the construction of latrines is also being supported by germany through the dtf. giz has been active in strengthening the regulatory agency nwasco, in setting up a sector information system, and in strengthening nwasco's planning capabilities. in the eastern province, which currently has only a single commercial utility in chipata, the german government assists its partners in commercializing the service delivery in small towns outside of chipata. through the support of kfw 520 wells have been built or rehabilitated in eight districts of the eastern provinces. sanitation facilities have been built at schools and health posts, and measures to promote appropriate hygiene behavior have been supported. the southern and north-western commercial utilities have also benefited from german support. in all three commercial utilities training is carried out covering administration, institutional development, electrical engineering and water production/distribution. concerning rural water supply, german aid is engaged in the northwestern province. the project is working with the councils of kasempa, kabompo and mufumbwe district to reach out to a population of about 2.5 million people beginning in 2004 through the construction of boreholes and hand-dug wells. the project emphasizes the participation of the population in the communities, especially of women. health education including malaria and hiv/aids are also part of the project. ireland ireland supports the chambeshi commercial utility. japan jica provides grants for investments in groundwater development in luapula province (2008–2010), technical cooperation for the sustainable operation and maintenance of rural water supply (2007–2010) and capacity building for commercial utilities (2007–2009). unicef unicef supports water supply projects in cooperation with the maureen mwanawasa community initiative, the wife of the late president mwanawasa. unicef's activities in the zambian water sector are supported by ukaid. united states the united states, through the millennium challenge corporation, provides a $355 million grant for water supply and sanitation in lusaka approved in march 2012. the us also supports water supply and sanitation in 800 rural schools through usaid. world bank the world bank assists the lusaka water and sewerage company (lwsc) with a us$23m water sector performance improvement project approved in 2006. $22m will be used to support lwsc and $1m will support "institutional capacity building to prepare the ministry of local government and housing to advance a coordinated approach for the sector".