Disaster Response Archives

Protecting Refugees from COVID-19 on World Refugee Day

Posted June 18th, 2020 by Gregg Dinino.

The United Nations designates June 20 as World Refugee Day. This is a day for the global community to call renewed attention to the nearly 80 million men, women, and children that the UN Refugee Agency describes as people displaced by war, violence, persecution, or other emergencies. According to the agency, nearly 30 million of these people have had to cross national borders for asylum and safety. Most refugees come from Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, and South Sudan, while the top five refugee-hosting countries are Turkey, Colombia, Pakistan, Uganda, and Germany. Residents living within and around settlements and camps are at high risk of contracting COVID-19 due to a ... Read More

COVID-19 in Prisons: Handwashing Stations for Tanzania Inmates, Officials

Posted June 2nd, 2020 by Cinelle Barnes.

What is an overlooked hotspot for disease outbreaks? Prisons. We are now only beginning to see high numbers of COVID-19 cases reported by prisons in the United States, particularly in Oklahoma, Texas, and Michigan. As such developments cycle into the news, let us not forget that institutions in low- and middle-income countries face the same threat while equipped with far fewer resources to prevent or contain the spread of disease. In Tanzania, where Water Mission has a program serving refugees, rural communities, and healthcare facilities, our teams have addressed the need for handwashing resources at local penitentiaries. As of early June, more than 500 coronavirus cases had been reported in the country. Of this number, none represent cases within prisons. I spoke with Agnes Mwero, administrative ... Read More

Behind the Scenes: Serving Clean Water Safely Amid COVID-19

Posted May 28th, 2020 by Acadia Munari.

In the face of adversity, your support helps our staff on the front lines serve with love, excellence, and integrity — three words we live by at Water Mission. In the last three months, teams across our nine country programs have been providing safe water solutions amid COVID-19 to slow the spread of the virus in vulnerable communities, such as refugee settlements. Your support has been integral to our ongoing response to the health crisis and has allowed us to install more than 400 handwashing stations globally. As we continue this necessary work amid COVID-19, we want to share with you ... Read More

COVID-19 Solutions in East Africa: Serving Health Professionals, Under-Resourced Communities, and Refugees

Posted May 7th, 2020 by Cinelle Barnes.

The COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve and affect millions of the most under-resourced and vulnerable populations across the globe. In East Africa, and much of the developing world, there is a lack of reliable, accurate health information on how to prevent the spread of the virus. In addition, many doctors and nurses in these areas do not have access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions that enable them to care for their patients. Dr. Delila Moshi, MD, chief physician at the Mnazi Moja Hospital in Tanzania, speaks about the impact of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions on healthcare ... Read More

Remote Monitoring During the COVID-19 Pandemic 

Posted April 30th, 2020 by Andrew Armstrong.

A significant factor contributing to the global threat of COVID-19, particularly in least developed countries, is inadequate and unreliable access to clean, safe water. Water is essential for handwashing and caring for people who are ill. Without it, prevention and control of the spread of infectious diseases both in the home and in healthcare facilities is virtually impossible. At Water Mission, we’re continuing our COVID-19 response to provide safe water, hand washing stations, and hygiene training  with a focus on preventing the spread of the virus across hundreds of communities, healthcare facilities and refugee camps spanning nine countries. As of today, we are providing safe water on a daily basis to 1.7 million people in ... Read More

#WorldHealthDay: Bahamas Recovers from Hurricane Dorian, Equipped with Safe Water to Face COVID-19

Posted April 7th, 2020 by Julie Johnson.

Just seven months since Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas, the islands stand against yet another crisis: the threat of COVID-19. But today, on World Health Day, they also stand resilient, equipped with necessities, such as safe water, that will help them weather this storm. To date, the Bahamas has reported 29 cases and five deaths from the new coronavirus. Shipments of consumables and supplies are being delayed. Thankfully, because of Water Mission’s faithful supporters, the islands can keep recovering from Hurricane Dorian and protect themselves from the global health crisis. Defining Resilience Like other leaders around the world, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis recently announced a shelter-in-place order in response to the coronavirus outbreak. He also called for prayers for those ... Read More

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