Global Water Shortage Articles | News

Disaster Response: Rebuilding Communities in Western Honduras After Landslide Wipes Out Municipal Water Source

Posted October 23rd, 2020 by Gregg Dinino.

On September 26, 2020, storms brought heavy rains to San Juan, a municipality in the Intibuca department of western Honduras. These storms caused massive flooding, resulting in a devastating landslide that damaged critical infrastructures such as roads, buildings, and the municipal water system. In the aftermath of the emergency, 7,000 residents across five communities were left without access to clean, safe water. Heavy rains caused a landslide that damaged roads and water infrastructure. With a permanent office in San Juan, Water Mission was able to quickly mobilize a disaster response effort to immediately provide safe water. Water Mission identified strategic locations around ... Read More

#GlobalHandwashingDay: 750,000+ Provided Access to Clean Water for Handwashing Amid COVID-19

Posted October 14th, 2020 by Acadia Munari.

It’s no secret: The last eight months have been unusual for communities all over the world—navigating a pandemic safely, learning new social norms, and staying healthy and safe. According to UN Water, handwashing with soap is key in slowing the spread of viruses such as COVID-19, and right now, only 60% of the world’s population has access to a basic handwashing facility. Today, on #GlobalHandwashingDay—several months since Water Mission began its global COVID-19 response—our team is overjoyed to share that more than 750,000 people have been given access to handwashing supplies, such as safe water and soap. Around the world, our teams have installed nearly 8,000 handwashing stations in ... Read More

“My voice, our equal future”: International Day of the Girl 2020 

Posted October 9th, 2020 by Water Mission.

On Sunday, October 11, we celebrate UNICEF’s annual International Day of the Girl. It’s a day to be inspired by the amazing things that girls around the world are accomplishing. It’s also a day to recognize that the world still has a long way to go to achieve equality between boys and girls, and to understand the role each of us plays in eliminating the barriers that girls still face. UNICEF’s theme for International Day of the Girl 2020 is “My voice, our equal future.” Girls’ voices are essential to establishing safe water solutions that last for generations, and safe water access empowers girls to use their voices and invest in their own bright futures. We acknowledge the Day ... Read More

How to Walk for Water From Your Home

Posted September 25th, 2020 by April Butcher.

For 14 years, Water Mission supporters have joined in Charleston and across the country (and now around the world!) to Walk for Water. Supporters like you have walked thousands of miles and raised millions of dollars to provide clean, safe water for communities in need around the world. Each year, participants put themselves in the shoes of our sisters and brothers who make harrowing journeys often covering miles as they walk for water every day. Walk for Water participants encourage friends and family to join the fight to end the global water crisis by supporting or walking. This year, for the first time, our Walks went virtual. As the pandemic worsened nationwide in March and only a few days remained before our flagship Charleston ... Read More

Thirst Quenchers: A Community Committed to Hope

Posted September 8th, 2020 by Water Mission.

So far, 2020 has been a year when many have been tempted to lose hope—but that is simply not a choice for Water Mission’s Thirst Quenchers, our dedicated monthly supporters who remain committed to bringing hope through safe water. Through the ongoing support of the Thirst Quencher community, we can expand our programs and respond quickly and efficiently to emergencies like COVID-19. Thirst Quenchers helped make it possible to distribute hygiene education resources, install handwashing stations, and provide reliable access to safe water in at-risk communities just when they needed it most.  Thirst Quenchers empower Water Mission to respond quickly to urgent requests for safe water. While the pandemic seems like an insurmountable problem—much like the global water crisis—our Thirst Quencher community knows ... Read More

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

Older Posts → ← Newer Posts