Preparing for the launch meeting. From left to right: Dr Lavinia Almendares (PAHO) and PWW’s Arlen Mejia, Samuel Ríos, and Oscar Rene Ventura.
Rutland, VT – July 15, 2020. Pure Water for the World, Inc. (PWW) announces the official launch of a comprehensive UNICEF-sponsored program, entitled, “Humanitarian WASH Response to Communities Affected by Drought in the Dry Corridor in Honduras.”
The comprehensive impact program is funded by UNICEF Honduras Country Office (CO), with the support of the underfunded emergencies window of the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), to be partly implemented by UNICEF Honduras CO’s implementing partner Pure Water for the World (PWW), in close coordination with partner UN Agencies, Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and World Food Program, in four municipalities located in the drought area of El Paraíso, Honduras.
The program launch took place in the municipality of Texiguat, on July 1, 2020, with a socialization meeting which included key members of the stakeholder group that will be involved with the project. Those in attendance included the mayor, members of the local police, a representative of the local Secretary of Education, the local health center, as well as members of the water board and other NGOs in the area.
As UNICEF Honduras CO’s implementing partner, PWW will be working with nine water boards, representing the four municipalities of San Lucas, Texiguat, Liure, and Vado Ancho, to develop Water Security Plans. These plans are created using a highly participatory stakeholder-empowerment process, in which the municipality stakeholders (most specifically, the water boards) will create and own their water plan, including a commitment to implement and manage that plan. Additionally, PWW will support the repairs of nine water systems, including wells and/or gravity-fed systems.
PWW will also deliver comprehensive WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) training to 1,134 families and install clean water filters in their homes. The WASH training will include the practices of safe water storage (to prevent dengue, which is widespread in this region) as well as the delivery of face masks (with training about proper usage) to 7,020 people to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In addition to reaching families, PWW will assist 25 community schools with the construction of rainwater harvesting tanks, the installation of clean water filters, and the provision of WASH trainings, when teachers and students return to the classroom. Trainings will incorporate information supporting the prevention of dengue fever and COVID-19.
“Everyone in this program has an essential role to play,” said Maria Inestroza, PWW Country Director, Honduras. “We are committed to building relationships between individuals, small groups, local government authorities and humanitarian organizations. By working together, we can make a greater impact, providing access to safe water, food provisions, children and women’s safety, and disease prevention to the families that have been identified as the most vulnerable to the drought effects in this region of Honduras.”
In total, 1,738 families (7,020 people) and 25 schools (1,487 students) will be reached with this comprehensive impact program. As the program is created with a foundation of long-term sustainability, these efforts will continue to create a positive impact on future generations.
About Pure Water for The World:
Pure Water for the World is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to improve lives by empowering people with access to life’s most basic necessities…safe water and sanitation.
Pure Water for the World has partnered with over 200 communities, reaching more than 750,000 people in Haiti and Central America with life-changing, sustainable safe water, hygiene and sanitation solutions.
Contact: Jamin Gelder, Deputy Director
Pure Water for the World
P.O. Box 55
Rutland, VT 05702
Phone: 802-747-0778
Email: jamin.gelder@purewaterfortheworld.org
Website: www.purewaterfortheworld.org.
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