When disaster strikes, supplying fresh water is vital for survival
Through the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Action Network on Post-Disaster Recovery, World Hope International is turning ideas into action by supplying fresh water to remote communities in the Caribbean in the aftermath of natural disasters.
Water is one thing we don’t think about too often. We brush our teeth, wash and prepare food, and pour a glass to drink. It’s everywhere – from our sinks at home to the bottles we can buy at the corner grocery. But what if in a blink of an eye, there was no more water?
That’s exactly the situation communities found themselves in when Hurricanes Maria and Irma struck the Caribbean in 2017. And for communities living “off the grid” in remote areas, waiting for a town or city to restore the water supply simply wasn’t an option. They had to wait or walk long distances just to bring home enough water to drink for the day. Making the situation a double burden, the need for water nearly doubles in the aftermath of an emergency. Without it, the likelihood of diseases like diarrhea, Typhoid fever, and cholera rapidly increases.
Meanwhile, logistical challenges such as power outages, transportation, and failing infrastructure in remote areas prevent first responders from reaching those who needed assistance the most.
Inspired by this information, World Hope International (WHI), a nonprofit working with communities to alleviate poverty, suffering, and injustice, made a Commitment to Action – a project that addresses critical issues communities face such as health or education – to prepare five Fresh Water Production Teams (FWPTs) for deployment to the Caribbean region in the event of a disaster.
Each team is equipped with the manpower, skills, and equipment to deploy within 48 hours of a disaster and can remain on the ground for up to two weeks at a time, setting up and managing water filtration and distribution systems capable of providing more than 1,300 liters of fresh water per day. These teams can operate with solar energy, so that even when remote communities are “off the grid,” fresh water is readily available. In addition, WHI also trained emergency teams on transforming sea water into clean, ready-to-drink water using one of five desalination units — or Aquifers — provided by partner Katadyn.
“Providing emergency relief with solar-powered water treatment is a great way to immediately introduce clean water to impacted communities following a disaster. It also costs exponentially less to treat water on site with these units than shipping bottled water in,” said John Lyon, CEO of World Hope International, “So it’s a response that addresses immediate health needs while utilizing natural resources and being cost effective and environmentally conscious.”
“When WHI came to us with feedback on how our Aquifer — initially designed for recreational use — could be modified to provide freshwater in times of crisis, our engineering team responded immediately. We’re thrilled to have such a great partnership with WHI and extremely proud that our technology can be relied upon in such critical situations,” explained Teresa Coryell House, Global Head of Digital at Katadyn North America, “The entire team at Katadyn is committed to providing the technology, the products and the people to ensure clean water is accessible to everyone.”
WHI responded to the water needs of the Caribbean after the 2017 hurricanes, using desalination technology to set up emergency water points near Turks and Caicos. But it took more than a week to get emergency response personnel on the ground and in a position to provide effective aid.
One goal of the Commitment to Action is to decrease response time and to expand potential impact. So, WHI worked with volunteer crews to provide fresh water within 48 hours of a disaster strike anywhere in the Caribbean. Through the CGI’s innovative approach to link commitment-makers, nonprofits, governments, and the private sector, WHI partnered with Airlink, a rapid-response humanitarian relief organization that connects airlines with nonprofits and first responders.
“Everyone, including those living in hard-to-reach communities, deserves relief and vital necessities like clean water immediately following an emergency. In partnering with World Hope International, we have been able to help those in need who may not otherwise receive aid in time,” said Steven J. Smith, president and CEO of Airlink, “Lives are saved and improved when committed organizations come together to make sure aid is not only being provided, but that it’s coming immediately, efficiently, and where it’s most needed.”
World Hope International’s Commitment to Action is one of more than 25 new commitments made through the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Action Network on Post-Disaster Recovery. President Clinton and Chelsea Clinton will host the next meeting of the Action Network from January 29–30 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
To learn more about the CGI Action Network and to see our latest impact report, visit clintonfoundation.org/impact.
