Water Mission Increases Emergency Safe Water Access in Venezuela Through New Strategic Partnerships

Water Mission, a Christian engineering nonprofit, is scaling their emergency safe water disaster response operations in Venezuela after earthquakes in late June impacted an estimated 6.8 million people with widespread destruction to infrastructure. A month later, Water Mission has installed and is operating water treatment systems at two production locations serving internally displaced people at clinics, schools, churches, and other community sites. These systems are also providing safe, clean water to a robust and growing mobile water trucking effort with 21 additional water distribution sites in communities throughout Caraballeda, Catia La Mar, Macuto, and Naiguata. 

New and growing strategic global partnerships are aiding this effort and increasing Water Mission’s ability to simultaneously respond to multiple disasters worldwide. Water Mission was recently welcomed into Integral Alliance, a group of 23 global Christian relief and development organizations with specialized disaster response capabilities. Integral members follow a joint disaster response process when disaster strikes, combining their programming, financial, and communications resources, ensuring a more efficient and rapid response capability that reaches more people in need. 

“We are delighted to welcome Water Mission to the Integral family. They bring to the Alliance significant sectoral expertise in water, sanitation, and hygiene, a critical need in both humanitarian situations and long-term international development,” said Carol Bremer-Bennett, Executive Director of World Renew and Chair of the Integral Board. “Water Mission has over 25 years of experience in responding to disasters and already works with some of our members. Their technical expertise will greatly add value to our joint disaster responses, and I am delighted to welcome them to the Integral family.” 

Water Mission is also partnering on a consortium led by Rescue Response International, funded by the U.S. Department of State, to provide disaster response relief in Venezuela in the aftermath of the earthquakes. This partnership, in coordination with generous gifts from Grundfos Foundation, FedEx, Compassion International, Atlas Copco Group, and individual supporters, has enabled Water Mission to provide nearly 300,000 liters of safe water to over 18,000 people to date. Safe, clean drinking water is critical during any disaster, helping to prevent the spread of waterborne illnesses, which are particularly deadly for children. 

“In the aftermath of a disaster, access to safe water is one of the most urgent needs and every day matters,” said Water Mission CEO and President George C. Greene IV, PE. “What we are seeing in Venezuela demonstrates the power of strong partnerships combined with proven technical expertise. By working alongside organizations committed to serving people in crisis, we have been able to move quickly, establish safe water production, and expand distribution to reach thousands of people. We are grateful for every partner and supporter helping us bring safe water and hope to people during this critical time.” 

Water Mission has responded to nearly 90 disasters worldwide over the past 25 years, bringing an extensive background in providing immediate and long-term safe water solutions. The organization has served more than 8 million people globally since 2001. To learn more or to support their ongoing disaster response efforts in Venezuela, please visit https://watermission.org/venezuela-earthquake-response.  

About Water Mission: Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds sustainable safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has served 8 million people in more than 65 countries, sharing safe water and the message of God’s love. Water Mission’s global headquarters is in North Charleston, SC, and the organization serves people in Africa; Asia; and North, South, and Central America. Charity Navigator has awarded Water Mission its top four-star rating 19 consecutive years in a row, a distinction shared by less than 1% of the charities rated by the organization. To learn more, visit watermission.org, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter.

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