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Ceramic Filtration: A Possible Solution To Water Stress

Ceramic FiltrationAccording to UNESCO’s U.N. Water, “Globally, two billion people do not have safe drinking water and 3.6 billion lack access to safely managed sanitation.” Ceramic filtration is a helpful creation that can reduce contaminated water in various developing countries at a low price.

What Is Ceramic Filtration?

Ceramic filtration uses clay to create a case to remove impurities from water sources, such as water-borne bacteria, microplastics, heavy metals and toxic chemicals. The process of creating ceramic filtrations is quite simple. In a bucket, shifted powdered clays will be mixed gradually with water and combustible burn-out material (natural materials that can be burned), such as coffee grounds, crushed charcoal, sawdust, or ground rice husks. Mixing these materials will create a soft, moldable paste. Then, the clay will be pressed into the bucket to mold around the bucket’s shape and eliminate excess water.

With the clay is in its desired shape, the crafter will leave it to air dry properly for 30 days on a dry shelf. After air drying, the clay is placed in the kiln at 877 to 1006 degrees Celsius. Once the ceramic pot is assembled and adequately dried, ridding water of bacteria and chemicals is simple. Pouring water into the clay pot with a bucket underneath allows water to permeate through but not sediments and bacteria into the bucket.

Why Is Ceramic a Possible Solution To Water Stress?

Ceramics is a viable option for developing countries as clay is an ample resource and can be found easily in different climates. The cost of water filtration systems is too expensive for most developing countries to afford, “[Industrial water] systems costs can range significantly due to these variables, with some simple, low-flow systems running as low as $45,000, to high-end, high-capacity systems with price tags exceeding tens of millions of dollars.”

According to the World Bank, “Low-income economies have 2021 GNI per capita of up to $1,085.” This indicates that leaders in these countries may struggle to afford essential goods for their populations, let alone invest in filtration systems. Ceramic filtration is a possible solution to address water stress, offering an easily accessible and cost-effective resource. The creation of a ceramic filter typically costs around $50.

As stated by John Howarter, an assistant professor of materials engineering and environmental and ecological engineering at Purdue University, “A filter in Kenya costs about $50 in materials, with labor and transportation as additional costs, but that filter will last five to 10 years, so the overall cost is very low.”

Conclusion

Ceramic filtration is a possible solution to water stress, allowing billions of people to have clean, accessible water at an affordable cost. The dissemination of knowledge about inexpensive and easily deployable filtration methods is crucial in empowering individuals in underdeveloped countries, offering them a fair chance at a healthier life.

– Jessica Jean-Baptiste
Photo: Pixabay

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How Forests and Young People Solve the Water Crisis in Honduras

Water Crisis in HondurasThe provision of water to not only rural populations but also the majority of the country’s major cities is one of the forest ecosystems’ most significant social functions in Honduras. In other words, the water crisis and deforestation in Honduras are significant social and environmental issues that require attention. 

Water Crisis and Deforestation in Honduras

One study states that by the end of the century, rainfall in Honduras will drop by 20% and water availability by 40%. Another study shows that at least half of the houses in Honduras have access to clean drinking water filtered by the forests.

Deforestation has already severely harmed the integrity of numerous water catchment areas, and other places are already in grave danger, further exacerbating the water crisis in Honduras. Forests help regulate the flow of water in rivers and streams, which reduces flooding risks.

Healthy forests are a filter that keeps pollution out of the water, roots anchor soil from erosion and material on the forest floor absorbs nutrients. When forests become damaged, sediment flows into the water, which pollutes it.

Forests also help control the water cycle by supervising precipitation, flows and evaporation. Layers of forest vegetation store and release water vapor. The destruction of the forest leads to irregular rain patterns.

Impact on Communities and Forest Loss

Communities of people rely on clean water for health. Relying on natural filtration sources such as the forest reduces the cost of filtering clean water. Forests being destroyed will increase the price of clean water. Honduras has been losing forest life over the past few years due to deforestation and agriculture, resulting in poverty. From 1990 to 2020, the country lost at least 9% of its forest.

These threats targeted people, the economy and ecosystems, so Honduras has been determining natural solutions with social interaction.

Ongoing Efforts

Montserrat Xilot, a climate change adaptation advisor for the United Nations (U.N.), visited Tegucigalpa to observe a project supported by the Global Adaptation Fund and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The initiative, led by women and young people, showcases enthusiasm and innovation, emphasizing the effectiveness of local knowledge in adapting to natural disasters and managing resources.

During her visit, Xilot engaged with these individuals at the National Autonomous University’s lab, a crucial hub for understanding Honduras’ water crisis. Through the lens of “Ecology of Water,” they applied various practices to monitor water sources and maintain water quality within the Central Forest Corridor. This hands-on approach is key to addressing the region’s water challenges.

Rather than accepting payment, the university wanted science equipment to study the water that flowed into the city. A water research department and a lab were created to examine the link between microbiology, climatology, water and physics. The lab made important disaster information and water modeling. It shows a leap forward in providing science, which is key to addressing the crisis. 

Women were developing their bio-fertilizers from local plant life to sell to markets. Xilot spoke to a young person who was the leader of the fire brigade and stated that the project taught her how to prepare during the forest fire season.

The university has secured grant funding to continue its project, including from the International Atomic Energy Agency. It has also allowed the climate adaptation program in the U.N. to request water analyses to better reveal water sources along the forest with increasing demand and natural disasters.

– Hailey S
Photo: Unsplash

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Progress in Bolivia’s Water Access

Bolivia’s Water AccessIn the 2010 renowned film, “También la lluvia” (Even the Rain) by Icíar Bollaín, two directors travel to Bolivia to shoot a film about Christopher Columbus and the Spanish exploitation of the New World. However, as they begin filming, they find themselves within another narrative of exploitation: the Water War protests of the year 2000, where the local population is fighting against the privatization of water resources in response to Bolivia’s water access crisis.

The release of Bollaín’s film coincided with the 10-year anniversary of the Bolivian crisis, reminding the public of this devastating chapter in history that was perhaps forgotten outside of Bolivia. Beyond educating many about a dark time in Bolivia’s past, the movie encourages a necessary discussion about Bolivia’s current water access situation.

The Current Situation 

Despite the victories achieved during the Water Wars, Bolivia continues to struggle with water challenges. Rapid urbanization, natural disasters and mismanagement of water resources contribute to water scarcity in various regions of the country. Rural communities are particularly vulnerable, facing difficulties accessing clean and reliable water sources.

Steady Progress

However, while it is still an issue, it must be noted that there has been significant progress in achieving water access in Bolivia. In 2020, 84.7% of the population had access to improved sources of water, and 62.5% had access to basic sanitation. The country continues to implement different drinking water and sanitation programs in both urban and rural areas which work to increase access to these resources and their quality.

Furthermore, the government has set a goal by 2025 that works for access to essential basic services with an emphasis on vulnerable groups, with the management of water prices and free access for groups affected by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Bolivia’s Help

The international community has committed to assisting in Bolivia’s efforts. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a line of credit of up to $500 million to enhance Bolivia’s water access and security and help secure a sustainable supply of irrigation and drinking water. The objectives of the investment are to increase food security by 25% and raise the net agricultural income of family farms by 36%. The investment will be directed toward mechanized irrigation systems for around 12,500 families from the most vulnerable communities that depend on agriculture to survive. After the new systems, these farms will be able to irrigate an additional 13,871 hectares.

Progress outside of government policy is also being made. The NGO Water for People, which has been working in Bolivia since 1997, has made tremendous efforts. Water for People implements piped water supply and educates communities on how to maintain them for the long term. In addition, the organization helps construct hygienic hand washing stations and toilets in schools.

Looking Ahead

Agriculture is the primary economic activity of 77% of the country’s rural population which makes up Bolivia’s most vulnerable communities. Thus, water scarcity is devastating for Bolivia’s most vulnerable. Bolivia has made significant improvements since its water crisis at the beginning of the century, but progress is still needed. Bolivia’s future has hope as the international community and multiple NGOs work to assist them in their struggle. 

– Cameron Alcocer-Venables
Photo: Flickr

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Desalination in Djibouti Doubles

Desalination in DjiboutiDjibouti is making moves for its water security after recently securing investment to expand its Doraleh Desalination Plant which will double its output capacity. The investment which was announced last month, comes in the form of a long-term (25-year) European Investment Bank (EIB) loan of €79 million. The project looks promising with the EIB claiming the development will “transform” water security for the nation’s capital.

Background

Djibouti is a country with an unforgiving climate with very little average annual rainfall and no running rivers or lakes. This formerly meant an enormous reliance on groundwater extraction for the country’s inhabitants. Moreover, due to frequent droughts in the Horn of Africa, groundwater reserves quite often dry up and cause significant water stresses. 

Since 2017, the Horn of Africa as a whole has been suffering from drought aggravated by climate change, which has depleted water and food supplies for the likes of Somalia and Kenya. However, it is worth noting researchers emphasize the widespread suffering caused by the drought cannot be exclusively attributed to climate change but also a fundamental lack of preparedness and resilience. Such facts put into perspective the importance of investment in water infrastructure and not purely towards climate change reversal.

In 2017, the Ethiopia-Djibouti Transboundary Project was announced which as the name suggests is a pipeline transporting groundwater from neighboring Ethiopia, the collaboration would provide water for 750,000 people in Djibouti. While experts hail the importance of groundwater as “significant in climate adaptation and resilience-building” such sources are also prone to depletion during periods of drought; an undesirable characteristic for a country like Djibouti. 

The initial construction of the Doraleh Desalination plant in 2021 was a major milestone in improving water security. Aside from its output of 22,500 cubic meters, enough to provide for 250,000 people, with seawater being the source, it allowed a major level of decoupling from unreliable groundwater reserves. The project was part of the Djibouti government’s development strategy, “Vision Djibouti 2035” and was heavily funded by the European Union (EU).

Recent Expansion

Last month’s EIB loan was a continuation of EU support as part of the Global Gateways Investment Package. The investment package has wide and ambitious aims, including “accelerating sustainable growth and decent job creation,” aims that experts believe a strong water supply system can act as drivers for. The EIB has also invested in a desalination plant in Jordan and fast internet connections in remote areas of the Congo and Uganda among other things.

The plant’s expansion also includes the construction of a 12 MW solar plant to power the desalination facility. On top of the eco-friendly aspect of this, it also provides reduced power dependence. Particularly, advantageous considering that Djibouti suffers from an intermittent power supply and sources the majority of its electricity from Ethiopia.

Final Thoughts

The summation of the plant’s output which after the expansion is claimed to provide water for 550,000 people along with the Ethiopia-Djibouti Transboundary Project which was designed to cater to 750,000 will substantially increase water security given Djibouti’s population of just over a million. Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner For International Partnerships celebrates the expansion saying, “Today’s project will become a model for best practices in water management across the region.” 

– Sabique Sadique
Photo: Flickr

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Update on SDG 14: Life Below India’s Waters 

SDG 14
All member states of the United Nations (UN) adopted the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 to ensure a collective global effort toward meeting urgent environmental, social and economic needs. The UN adopted 17 such goals, ranging from no poverty and zero hunger to clean energy and decent work, in pursuit of developing every country together in a holistic way. One of these goals is SDG 14: Life below water, broadly focusing on the conservation and sustainable usage of oceans, seas and marine resources. It includes the sustainable management and conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems, reduction of marine pollution, minimization of the effect of ocean acidification, prohibition and limitation of certain forms of fisheries and increase in the economic benefits to Small Island Developing States (SIDS), among many other concerns.

India and Its Need for SDG 14

In a country as populous as India, water is an in-demand resource. With approximately 18% of the world’s population residing in India, the country faces challenges in ensuring its citizens have access to safe and clean drinking water. According to the Composite Water Management Index that the Indian government published in 2018, India is undergoing the worst water crisis in its history, with more than 600 million people already facing acute water shortages. India has a coastline that spans more than 7,500 kilometers. Although this position allows it to utilize oceanic resources, it also leaves the country susceptible to overexploiting the same resources and contributing to marine pollution.

A study in Science Journal reports that India ranks 12th, amongst 192 countries, for disbursing the maximum amount of plastic waste into the high seas from their coastline. According to UNEP, 60 major Indian cities generate 15,000 MT of waste per day which ends up in the South Asian seas. In light of this, the need to address and make progress on SDG 14 becomes even more pressing for India.

The Intersection of Water and Poverty in India

The unavailability of water has become one of the most important issues affecting India’s poor. Out of India’s population, 6% of the people lack safe water access and more than 50% lack access to safely managed household sanitation facilities. This makes the Indian population, particularly the poor, more vulnerable to numerous waterborne diseases such as cholera, acute diarrhoeal diseases, typhoid and viral hepatitis (which have caused 10,738 deaths in the period between 2017 to 2022). Toxic waste in water bodies, such as pesticides and fly ash among others, affects the ecology and the marine population and poses a challenge to fishermen and other communities, resulting in a loss of livelihood.

Furthermore, rapid industrialization and pollution of groundwater have also become a looming crisis for the country and its people.  

Efforts for Betterment

The Indian government has consistently been making efforts to address the issues of sanitation, water pollution and water availability. The country has come up with a State SDG Index, modeled after the international SDG Index, which allows for a decentralized and area-specific plan to emerge to achieve SDG targets within the country. India has also come up with a Marine Protected Area (MPA) network which is used to manage and conserve marine biodiversity. In 2021, the Indian government notified Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, banning the use of single-use plastics in the country, in an effort to reduce the plastic waste generated.

Furthermore, India has initiated various projects to enhance water quality and safety, notably through initiatives like the National Mission for Clean Ganga. This program concentrates on activities such as wastewater and effluent treatment, the management of solid waste and the development of riverfront areas. Another such project was a 75-day-long coastal clean-up drive called “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar” which aimed at reducing 1,500 tonnes of garbage from the coast. The Indian government has partnered with the World Bank on various initiatives, including the Atul Bhujal Yojana, to enhance groundwater management and provide clean drinking water to rural Indian communities.

The Indian government has also been working to reduce open defecation in the country through the Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Campaign), through which the number of people defecting in the open has been significantly reduced by an estimated 450 million.

Looking Ahead

India still has a long way to go to fully achieve the goals highlighted under SDG 14, but the country has made notable progress. The initiatives undertaken by the Indian government in this direction indicate hope that the country is on a path to sustainable development and that the SDG targets might see improvement, if not fulfillment, in the near future.

– Manasvi Kadian
Photo: Flickr

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Water Projects in the DRC

Water Projects in the DRCThe Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has an abundance of freshwater reserves. Around 30 rivers flow through its borders, including the Congo River, the second-largest river on the continent. It is also home to 62% of the Congo River Basin, a massive water system that stretches nearly half a billion acres and spans across six nations.

That amount of water accounts for over half of Africa’s freshwater reserves and should be more than enough for a country topping 110 million people. The truth of the matter is that deteriorating infrastructure and lack of sufficient facilities leave almost 54% of people experiencing a lack of access to “basic water services,” according to World Vision. Several organizations are undertaking water projects in the DRC to ensure clean and safe water access for all.

Fight for the Forgotten

The DRC is home to three indigenous Pygmy peoples — the Mbuti, the Baka and the Batwa. The International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs says these groups are “widely acknowledged as the first inhabitants” in the region. Yet, it wasn’t until November of 2022 that the DRC government put safeguards and protections for indigenous rights in place. 

Indigenous land rights now have lawful protection after decades of Indigenous communities being forced out of their homelands in favor of logging activities, and some land has even been seized for conservation. All these land infringements were carried out without compensating the displaced Indigenous communities.

Justin Wren is a former professional cage fighter who, through his foundation Fight for the Forgotten, has dedicated his life to supporting Indigenous Pygmy people. Wren started the foundation after taking a “life-changing trip” to the DRC. The foundation uses donations to provide “clean water, education and empowerment” to all Pygmy communities. Specifically, Fight for the Forgotten has built over 80 wells and purchased 3,050 acres of land that is now owned and cultivated by the Pygmy people and protected by the government. The organization’s efforts have benefited more than 52,000 people.

Other efforts include installing solar lighting and a tree replanting program of more than 12,000 trees. Well-building in the DRC has been crucial, but the education on sustainable methods will hopefully last for decades.

Global Effort

Improving water access and providing sufficient facilities would improve hygiene, improving health in the DRC. Improved hygiene would alleviate outbreaks of bacterial diseases like cholera; simply being able to wash one’s hands with soap consistently would go a long way.

Goma houses about 2 million people and is assumed to be well-situated due to its eastern position and proximity to Lake Kivu. The issue is that the water from the lake is not safe to drink. The International Committee of The Red Cross is currently implementing the Goma West Resilient Water Project, which aims to provide clean water to over 330,000 people by 2026. Reservoirs and water treatment plans with long-term sustainability goals are in the works. 

Join For Water is an NGO working in multiple provinces in the country, designing and constructing drinking water systems, including wells. It produces ecological toilets that separately collect feces to be reused as fertilizer, improving sanitization services and supporting agriculture. Some aid comes into the country through cash or funding for projects, but Join For Water stays in the country and ensures the infrastructure it has put together is maintained.

There is no shortage of fresh water in the DRC, and it is up to the government, with the help of partners and organizations, to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to allow access to clean water for all.

– Benett Crim
Photo: Pixabay

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Addressing the Water Crisis with Wells of Life in Uganda

Wells of Life in Uganda Uganda is a republic bordering Kenya and South Sudan. It is known for its diverse ecosystems and unique geography. The Central African country rests upon a plateau outlined by a natural boundary of mountains and valleys. Although migration to Uganda increased by over 117% in 2023, the country faces a long-standing water crisis.

Water.Org

Water.Org highlights the vastness of Uganda’s water crisis. According to their website, Water.Org is a humanitarian organization operating worldwide, with the sole mission of ensuring “safe, accessible and cost-effective” clean water for all. While the nonprofit was founded in the 1990s, its work in Uganda began in 2009. 

In their article on the water crisis in Uganda, Water.Org reported that over 80% of Ugandans lack access to “a reliable, safely managed source of water.” The article explains that over the last two decades, Uganda’s “large population movements” to the country’s urban areas have exacerbated the instability of the Ugandans’ access to water.

Insecure Access to Clean Water

Insecure access to clean water heightens the effects of poverty in Uganda. A report by The World Bank on Uganda’s poor found that about 30% of Uganda’s population lives in poverty. In that same report, The World Bank highlighted that “at least 50% of Ugandans remain vulnerable to the risk of falling back into poverty in the next two years.” The country’s water crisis only compounds this issue.

Water.Org found that Uganda’s impoverished spend up to “22% of their income to access water from water vendors.” The humanitarian organization detailed that “spending such a high percentage of earnings on water” eliminates the opportunity for Uganda’s poor “to build savings and break the cycle of poverty.” 

On top of the monetary costs of limited water access, Uganda’s water crisis has also increased time expenses. Water.Org explained that many of Uganda’s poor “spend more than 30 minutes” traveling to collect water. The humanitarian organization highlighted that this excessive travel for access to water takes away from crucial time that Ugandans could spend working or pursuing an education.

Wells of Life 

Organizations like Wells of Life are working to solve Uganda’s water crisis through service work. Wells of Life is a humanitarian organization operating in Uganda. Wells of Life acts with the central mission of securing “access to safe, clean water” for the people of Uganda. Wells of Life began their invaluable work in Uganda in 2010.

According to their website, Nick Jordan founded Wells of Life after a visit to East Africa in 2008. During this trip, he got an in-depth view of “the devastation and sadness” present in Uganda. He penned their lack of access to the “basic human right” of water as the source of this anguish and heartache.

Wells of Life works to accomplish their mission by installing and restoring “sustainable borehole water wells.” In the last 13 years, the humanitarian organization has dug or repaired over 1,100 wells. The wells this organization has dug now provide reliable access to clean water for over 1,100,000 people. 

WASH

Wells of Life has also implemented WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene)​ educational curricula in their service areas. As Wells of Life worked tirelessly to supply clean water to Ugandans in need, the organization took the stance that they could do more outside of access to clean water. In 2019, the organization launched WASH. Wells of Life felt these programs are essential to the health of Uganda’s poor as both clean water and appropriate sanitation “are essential for survival.” In rural Uganda, over 75% of people “fail to wash their hands — accounting for at least 50% of all infant deaths.” 

WASH courses are part of the organization’s Healthy Village Program. These 6-month trainings in Uganda’s rural areas include “in-depth training and education on the necessities for sanitation & hygiene.” These trainings serve as a means of providing “education and resources that encourage healthy sanitation and hygienic practices.” 

As Uganda’s water crisis and unmet sanitation needs go hand-in-hand, the work Wells of Life and other humanitarian organizations are doing in Uganda is vitally important. Those who want to learn more about Uganda’s water crisis or Wells of Life should visit https://www.wellsoflife.org.

– Rosemary Wright
Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Water Sanitation in Timor-Leste

Water Sanitation in Timor-LesteTimor-Leste has made concerted efforts to develop national infrastructure in the wake of tumultuous political conflict. One target area has been to improve water sanitation and hygiene, and both national and international groups are working to achieve better hygiene standards nationwide.

Current Data 

To date, 80% of the population is deemed to have access to ‘basic’ water facilities. This should not be confused, however, with safe water for drinking and sanitation purposes. In fact, the World Health Organization has reported that only 54% of Timorese civilians have access to “safely managed” sanitation facilities, and only 28% of the population are safely using hand washing services with soap and water.  

These numbers have had severe health implications nationwide. As of 2016, 29.9% of infant deaths were a result of diarrheal disease, which typically occurs as a result of poor sanitation and lack of potable water. As many as 65 children are dying annually from diarrhea in Timor-Leste to date. A UNICEF report has suggested that as many as 94% of locals are failing to wash their hands in critical moments, for example after changing diapers or before breastfeeding. With roughly 31% of Timor-Leste living below the international poverty line, such health factors can lead to malnutrition, especially in children.

Several reports have noted a marked rural-urban disparity concerning access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. Rural hygiene coverage in 2021 stood at only 22% compared to 42% in urban areas. Implementation of septic tanks and latrines has shown little increase, despite aims to halve numbers without access to safe water. The use of “unimproved” water sources is still being used by 17% of the rural population, with the nearest access points being on average more than 30 minutes away. 

Gendered Aspects of Water Sanitation

Continued challenges to improve water sanitation in Timor-Leste have had adverse effects on local women. Multiple national and international groups have expressed concern at the reliance upon adolescent girls and young women in collecting water for households. These societal norms have had several knock-on effects, the most notable of which being female absence from school and a subsequent lack of engagement in public life. 

Nonprofit group Water for Women has introduced projects that aim to improve women’s rights associated with water sanitation in Timor-Leste. Their latest scheme, Beyond Inclusion, has a twofold objective of providing sustainable WASH facilities while improving the well-being of women through “gender dialogue modules.” The team is also actively working to refocus Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) at the center of national and municipal concerns. So far, 61,200 people have benefitted from the program, of whom half were women. 

The Benefits of Investing in WASH Services

Improving water sanitation in Timor-Leste will have benefits that transcend health advances and gender equality. As a developing nation, investment in WASH services will reduce medical expenditures and absences from school for health-related issues. It will also promote the expansion of the tourism sector, which would amplify revenue and diversify the economy.

In view of this, the Timorese government has allocated a significant amount of funding and regulatory measures to improve WASH facilities. After establishing the public utility company Bee Timor-Leste (BTL), budgets of $36 million and $17 million were provided in 2021 and 2022 respectively to implement sustainable water sanitation measures. 

Legislative efforts have culminated in a package of regulations that will mitigate problems surrounding water sanitation in Timor-Leste. As of 2021, the government has promulgated a Law for Quality Control of Water for Human Consumption, a National Public Water Supply Policy and more. 

NGOs and Aid Groups Supporting WASH in Timor-Leste

In April 2020, the World Bank approved a landmark Water Supply and Sanitation Project, aimed at providing solutions to inadequate WASH facilities in the rural Baucau municipality. The project involves the construction and installation of a “centralized water supply system,” combined with a robust series of sewage treatment plans. The aim is to provide access to potable drinking water to at least 25,000 more Timorese. 

WaterAid Australia has enacted several projects targeted at rural mountainous areas which are particularly affected by a lack of accessibility and ongoing risks of natural disasters. The group has partnered with various local authorities to deliver WASH services in over 180 communities in Likisà and Manufahi. Community-led sanitation projects supported by WaterAid engage with locals and promote long-term autonomy.

– Cara Jenkins
Photo: Flickr

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Access To Clean Water in Syria

Clean Water in Syria
Since the beginning of the 2011 war in Syria, Syrians have been suffering from a severe humanitarian crisis. It has meant an increase in poverty and has left millions of Syrians unable to access safe, clean, potable water. To put this into perspective, prior to 2010, more than 90% of people in both cities and rural communities in Syria had reliable access to safe water. 

Unclean Water and Increasing Levels of Poverty 

According to UNICEF, 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line, leaving millions unable to provide for their families, all worsened by over a decade of deprivation of stable water systems. Equally, damage from the war has rendered only 50% of water and sanitation systems now functioning properly across Syria. UNICEF claims that almost 8 million Syrians are in acute need of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. 

Moreover, continuous deprivation of water stations has left many having to rely on water tank deliveries or dirty water from wells which in many cases has led to infections of Cholera, which worsens the situation for many. For instance, many mothers have to rely on dirty water due to lack of clean water access in Syria which has led to an increase in waterborne diseases in children like diarrhea.  

Water as a Political Weapon

Throughout the war in Syria, some have used water as a political weapon. Since 2019, Turkey has been accused of deliberately cutting off water supplies to more than 1 million people more than 40 times in the region of Hasakah in northeastern Syria. More recently, Turkey was again accused of cutting off water supplies to the Hasakah region. Many accuse Turkey of committing crimes against humanity as the Alouk water station in Hasakah has not been operational for the past 10 months, causing severe water shortages for some 500,000 people. 

Solutions and Humanitarian Efforts

UNICEF has continued to invest in preventive measures to curb the spread of cholera and alleviate its harmful impact on the vulnerable communities affected. Measures include widening the scale of chlorination to disinfect water and the arrival of clean water trucks in affected areas, particularly Northern Syria. In addition, UNICEF has further intervened in Hasakah, meditating with Turkey on the issue and reached an agreement for Turkey to provide water.

Oxfam’s work inside Syria focuses on providing vulnerable families with cash to meet their urgent needs and provision of clean water through repairing water sources and rehabilitation of water infrastructure. 

There have been several other humanitarian aid efforts to improve water systems inside Syria including UNICEF’s WASH projects which aim to provide safe and clean water for millions of Syrians. For example, UNICEF reached 2.1 million people with improved and sustained access to safe water and almost 700,000 people through enhanced sanitation services. Moreover, the distribution of WASH non-food items (NFIs), including family hygiene kits, soap and aqua tabs, reached more than 826,000 people.

Looking Forward

These types of projects provide hope for the future, however, additional funding is necessary for NGOs like UNICEF and Oxfam in order to provide better living conditions for those in Syria who suffer from water shortages, cholera and poverty.

Limited access to clean water means many miss out on career opportunities and feel the effects of poverty on a larger scale. For access to clean water in Syria and to make alleviation of poverty widespread, there is a greater need for operations to reach all 14 governorates of Syria and ensure it is the priority of international organizations to help support access to clean water in Syria. 

– Amber Hamed
Photo: Flickr

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Drinking Cup Project Improves Access to Drinking Water in Africa

Drinking Water in AfricaAround the world, there are billions of football (or soccer) fans who are passionate about their team and the sport. One football club, Hannover 96 in Germany, is using that passion to do good with the help of local volunteers. By way of the project “Drinking Cups for Drinking Water,” these football fans are improving access to drinking water in Africa and making a difference in some of the most impoverished regions in the world.

How the Project Works

Hannover 96 is a second-tier football club in the city of Hannover, Germany. On average, around 30,000 fans pour into the Hannover 96 stadium on home match days and with the help of the “Drinking Cups for Drinking Water” project, these football fans are able to help improve water access in Africa while supporting their team.

The project, which is run on matchdays by around a dozen volunteers, works by collecting the cup deposits of fans who buy drinks in the stadium. As is the case in many stadiums, Hannover 96 sells these drinks more expensively but offers some money back for returning the cups to the food stands. Alternatively, Hannover 96 fans can give their cups to volunteers stationed in stalls around the stadium as a donation to the “Drinking Cups for Drinking Water” project.

At the end of the match, all the collected cups are then returned to the food stalls by the volunteers and the collected deposit money is donated to the project’s partner organization, the Global Nature Fund. The Global Nature Fund, a German-based nonprofit, then uses the donated money to fund projects that provide more people with access to drinking water in Africa.

Project Success

Now going into its 15th year, “Drinking Cups for Drinking Water” has enabled football fans to make a real difference in a number of countries. Overall, the Global Nature Fund reports that the deposit donations have created better clean water access for 125,000 people in the Ivory Coast, Senegal, South Africa, Malawi and Kenya. This is the result of local projects led by the Global Nature Fund, improving and building wells. These initiatives to provide improved access to drinking water in Africa are significant as the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health reported that in 2020, more than 50% of people who lacked access to safe drinking water resided in Africa.

In Malawi, for example, funds from the charitable project enabled the creation of three clean water wells at local schools. Given that UNICEF estimates that more than 30% of Malawians do not have access to safe drinking water, improving access to water in the country is an immediate priority. The three wells provide clean water to around 10,000 schoolchildren as well as to households in the local area. To ensure the long-term success of its water access initiatives, the GNF also uses donations to educate local people on maintenance and engineering matters concerning the installations. By doing this, the organization ensures that the communities are able to repair and maintain their water access points while being self-reliant and independent from outside help. This guarantees that football fans are making a difference in the long term and provides work opportunities in the project regions.

Looking Ahead

“Drinking Cups for Drinking Water” looks poised to continue expanding its charitable work and bettering access to drinking water in Africa. In the last season, football fans raised nearly €70,000 for the initiative — a new season record. In the 23/24 season, the project is projected to surpass the donation mark of €500,000 to commemorate its 15th anniversary.

Apart from the increasing generosity of football fans, the project’s volunteers are also expanding the project’s reach by educating other football clubs on the idea, which could lead to more clubs getting involved. The success of “Drinking Cups for Drinking Water” shows that when united for a good cause, football fans are making a difference for people in need and have the power to drastically improve access to drinking water in Africa.

– Patrick Brownlow
Photo: Flickr