Some 2 million rural people in the western part of Uzbekistan now have safe and reliable water. A World Bank-supported project has improved the quality of drinking water in the remote areas of Khorezm and Karakalpakstan. This has helped reduce the incidence of diseases, particularly near the Aral Sea. Similarly, the capacity of water utilities, regional health centers, and sanitary epidemiology stations has been strengthened. A World Bank-supported project will help improve water and sanitation services in the ancient cities of Bukhara and Samarkand.