In the Field Archives | Water Mission

One Year After Hurricane Dorian: Rebuilding Back Better

Posted September 2nd, 2020 by Gregg Dinino.

A year ago, Hurricane Dorian hit, devastating the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas. One of the largest Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes on record, its 185 mph sustained winds left more than 70,000 people homeless. In any disaster response, the most common critical needs are food, shelter, and safe water. Without clean, safe water, operations cannot progress. Safe water is needed for everything, from drinking water to use in healthcare. After Dorian, water sources were not safe due to saltwater and other contaminates affecting the municipal water supply during temporary flooding from storm surge. Water Mission’s Hurricane Dorian disaster response and engineering teams were on the ground within hours after the storm subsided, focused on meeting immediate needs and assessing challenges. Our teams worked to stabilize water sources utilizing reverse osmosis, a specialized water purification process that filters out contaminants and makes water safe to drink. After Hurricane ... Read More

Father Braces for the 2020 Hurricane Season, Amid COVID-19

Posted August 6th, 2020 by Cinelle Barnes.

Meet Romain Charlot, a father in Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas. He’s been trying to rebuild his home—his life—for nearly a year. Today, along with other residents of the Bahamas, he braces for the 2020 hurricane season. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know him and witnessing his journey since Hurricane Dorian ravaged the islands in September 2019. Charting the steps he’s taken toward recovery, I’ve seen the strength and resolve that only a father providing for a family, rebuilding from a deadly storm, and navigating a pandemic can have. I hope his story reminds you that while natural disasters cycle ... Read More

Clean, Clear, or Safe Water: How Can You Tell?

Posted July 9th, 2020 by Cinelle Barnes.

Hold up a bottle of clear water to a light, and ask those around you, “Is this water safe to drink?” They will likely say, “Yes.” Conswello Chavez, a mother of three in La Concordia, Mexico, thought the same, but then her oldest son became sick a few years ago. She began suspecting that their “clean” water wasn’t actually safe to drink. She used to purchase supposedly purified bottled water from a local vendor. “I decided to check the bottle of water and realized that it had a bad smell,” she said. Conswello outside of her store with her mother and son Two weeks ... 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

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

#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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