At Water Mission, responding to disasters is an integral part of our work. In the initial days following a disaster, access to clean, safe water for drinking, hygiene, and sanitation is critical. Our ministry was born out of the need for safe water following the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch in Honduras in 1998. Since that initial response, Water Mission has continued to provide relief in the wake of natural disasters and humanitarian crises.  

When the conflict in Ukraine began in late February, Water Mission once again tapped into its deep experience in emergency response. We sent a team to the region to evaluate the safe water, sanitation, and hygiene needs of those impacted by the conflict. As of September, Water Mission and its partners in Ukraine had installed 25 safe water systems across the four cities of Mykolaiv, Pokrovsk, Kramatorsk, and Myrnohrad. These systems have already produced more than 1.3 million gallons (5 million liters) of safe water for those impacted by the ongoing crisis. 

Water Mission is also responding in Pakistan after heavy monsoon rains led to catastrophic flooding, leaving one-third of the country under water. Our rapid response provided clean, safe water to thousands of internally displaced people living in temporary camps. Thanks to the support of so many who have come alongside us, we were able to provide emergency shipments of water treatment systems, water purification supplies, and hygiene kits. As of September 20, our team on the ground in the Sindh province of Pakistan has installed multiple safe water treatment systems. Each system can provide enough safe water for 500 families each day. Residents of the Sindh region are now able to access safe water and avoid dangerous waterborne illnesses that become more prevalent after a disaster if safe water is not readily available. We are happy to share that another shipment is on its way to Pakistan.  

Water Mission is blessed to be in the position to respond to multiple humanitarian crises at one time. Because of your generosity, we have been able to provide safe water to those displaced by heavy flooding in Pakistan, as well as those impacted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.  

To learn more about our efforts in Ukraine, visit watermission.org/help-people-in-ukraine/.

Help in Ukraine

To learn more about our efforts in Pakistan, visit watermission.org/help-people-in-pakistan/.  

Help in Pakistan

The post Disaster Response Update: Safe Water is Flowing in Pakistan and Ukraine Thanks to Supporters Like You  appeared first on Water Mission.

Water Mission has been responding to the crisis in Ukraine since the conflict started in February. This August, we produced nearly 800,000 gallons (3 million liters) of safe water for impacted people in Ukraine. This milestone was only possible with support from generous friends like you. 

Shipments of emergency water treatment equipment and water purification supplies over the past several months have allowed the continuous flow of clean, safe water in multiple cities throughout Ukraine. We have installed 30 safe water systems in four different cities. We plan to install another 10 systems by December. 

“Recently, a city of 40,000 people had its municipal water system destroyed,” reported Josh Burns, Water MIssion’s disaster response team lead. “Within 48 hours, our team had safe water flowing for those in need.” 

In Mykolaiv, two reverse osmosis (RO) systems provide nearly 800 gallons (3,000 liters) of safe water per hour. The Ukrainian Red Cross Society relies on these systems to fill water trucks and deliver safe water throughout the city. Smaller RO systems are located at public access points, such as churches and healthcare facilities, where men, women, and children can retrieve clean, safe water day and night. 

“Each system provides people with a source of hope and consistency in a time of chaos,” Josh shared. 

Our teams have also assembled and distributed hygiene kits for refugees fleeing the conflict and those displaced inside Ukraine. These kits are stocked with sanitary supplies to help people stay healthy.  

In partnership with local churches and organizations, Water Mission has printed bibles and trauma healing materials in Ukrainian. These resources help ministry leaders share God’s love with those experiencing tremendous loss. 

GIVE SAFE WATER

The post More Than 3 Million Liters of Safe Water in Ukraine appeared first on Water Mission.

This article below appears as it does in the print edition of the Summer 2022 Newsletter. For the latest updates on Water Mission’s crisis response in Ukraine, click here. 

The conflict in Ukraine has left more than 6 million people in Ukraine struggling to access safe water. Without reliable water sources for their families, people have resorted to desperate measures, often filling buckets, gas cans, and plastic bags with unsafe water from streams and waterways.  

Water Mission is on the ground working to meet safe water, sanitation, and hygiene needs. We have shipped emergency water treatment equipment and water purification supplies to get safe water flowing in multiple cities in Ukraine. We are also distributing hygiene kits for refugees and those displaced inside Ukraine to help people stay healthy.  

“These hygiene kits are small boxes of hope,” says Craig Williams from our Partnerships and Emergency Coordination team. “They contain basic sanitary supplies—toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap—and are sent into Ukraine for women and children who have fled their homes. These supplies can make their lives easier.”  

We continue to partner with local churches to address physical and spiritual needs, bringing the reassurance of God’s love to those who have experienced tremendous loss. Our local church partners share stories of refugees, young and old, who have given their lives to Christ after witnessing how Christians are serving in His name.   

“Your God will be my God,” a 67-year-old Ukrainian refugee shared about her salvation, “because what you’ve done for me, the care and love you’ve shown, is more than I ever expected from people that are not my people, in a country that’s not mine.” 

Please pray for the men, women, and children of Ukraine. Pray also for our team working in Ukraine and the surrounding region; may God protect and guide them in this vital service. May we continue to bring hope to our global neighbors in their time of greatest need, serving as an example of our Lord’s great love. No matter how great the need, our God’s love is greater.    

Give Now

The post Ukraine Crisis Response appeared first on Water Mission.

May 6, 2022

Ukrainian news report shares about Water Mission’s safe water systems arriving to get water flowing (in Ukrainian with English subtitles).

The escalating conflict in Ukraine has left more than 6 million people in Ukraine struggling to access safe water. Water Mission is on the ground working to meet safe water, sanitation, and hygiene needs. We have sent emergency water treatment equipment and water purification supplies to get safe water flowing for men, women, and children. Water Mission is currently one of few nonprofits producing water in multiple cities in Ukraine.    

We are also distributing hygiene kits for refugees and those inside Ukraine to help people stay healthy amid crowded conditions. We continue to partner with local churches to address physical and spiritual needs, bringing the reassurance of God’s love to those who have experienced tremendous loss. 

Moved by the plight of our brothers and sisters, former Major League Baseball player, Adam LaRoche, has generously offered to match all gifts to Water Mission’s Ukraine response, up to $125,000, through his foundation, E3. 

Please pray for the men, women, and children of Ukraine. Pray also for our team working in Ukraine and the surrounding region to get safe water flowing; may God protect and guide them in this vital service. May we continue to bring hope to our global neighbors in their time of greatest need, serving as an example of our Lord’s great love. No matter how great the need, our God’s love is greater. 

Double your impact by supporting Water Mission’s relief efforts during this generous match by clicking the button below. 

GIVE TODAY

April 27, 2022  

The escalating conflict in Ukraine has triggered an exodus of people seeking refuge elsewhere in the region. Tragically, more than 3 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee, and the vast majority of these refugees are women and children.  

Water Mission has been on the ground serving refugees in Eastern Europe since the first days of the crisis. We are partnering with local churches and civic groups to help with evacuations and meet physical needs, such as safe water, sanitation, hygiene, meals, shelter, and more. We are also working to meet emotional needs, bringing the hope of God’s love to those who have experienced tremendous loss. We are printing Bibles in Ukrainian and providing biblical trauma healing resources for people still in Ukraine, refugees, and church leaders ministering to those impacted by the crisis.  

Thanks to generous friends like you, we are thrilled to have met an initial $50,000 match. On March 21, two more generous partners promised to match an additional $125,000 in gifts to our Ukraine response. If you have been considering blessing those displaced by the crisis in Ukraine, please consider doubling your impact today. Your gift will bring hope amid this heartbreaking tragedy.  

In addition to meeting physical and emotional needs, your gift helps us provide emergency safe water systems and technical expertise to our partners serving displaced people in Ukraine. We are also coordinating with other aid organizations to prepare for recovery efforts, such as repairing municipal water systems, once the conflict ends.  

Water Mission is a safe water charity with more than 20 years of experience responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. We’ve served hundreds of thousands of refugees in Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi. In each response, our team is there to reassure survivors that God is with them.  

GIVE TODAY

March 21, 2022 

More than 3 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee Ukraine in the last 20 days due to the escalating conflict, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration. That’s more than 150,000 people per day—and the vast majority of these refugees are women and children.  

Water Mission has been on the ground serving refugees in Eastern Europe since the first days of the crisis. We are partnering with local churches and civic groups to help with evacuations and meet physical needs, such as safe water, sanitation, hygiene, meals, shelter, and more. We are also working to meet emotional needs, bringing the hope of God’s love to those who have experienced tremendous loss. We are printing Bibles in Ukrainian and providing biblical trauma healing resources for people still in Ukraine, refugees, and church leaders ministering to those impacted by the crisis.  

Meeting immediate needs is crucial, but so is preparing for the coming weeks and months. With this in mind, a generous partner has pledged to match all gifts to our Ukraine response, up to $50,000.   

In addition to meeting physical and emotional needs, these gifts will support our efforts to ship emergency safe water systems and supplies to Eastern Europe. We are providing technical expertise, training, and support to our partners serving displaced people in Ukraine. We are also coordinating with other aid organizations to prepare for recovery efforts, such as repairing municipal water systems, once the conflict ends.  

Water Mission is a safe water charity with more than 20 years of experience responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. We’ve served hundreds of thousands of refugees in Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi. In each response, our team is there to reassure survivors that God is with them.  

Your gift will bring hope amid this heartbreaking tragedy.     

GIVE TODAY

March 7, 2022 

The escalating conflict in Ukraine has triggered an exodus of people, primarily women and children, seeking refuge elsewhere in the region. Water Mission is actively working with partners and local churches to care for and serve these refugees.   

Within days, Water Mission sent two assessment teams to border crossings in Poland and Romania to evaluate refugees’ urgent needs. We are partnering with local churches near the Ukraine border to help meet refugees’ physical and emotional needs.   

In addition, Water Mission is proactively shipping emergency safe water systems and supplies to the region. There, the systems will be prepped to support relief and recovery efforts.     

As a safe water charity with more than 20 years of experience responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises, Water Mission has a background in providing immediate and long-term solutions. We’ve served hundreds of thousands of refugees in Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi. In each response, our team is there to reassure those dealing with overwhelming loss that God is with them.  

We are blessed to serve alongside the local church as the hands and feet of Jesus. Please join us in praying for these refugees, and for the churches converting their sanctuaries into shelters where refugees can find safe water, food, a warm place to sleep, and the hope of Jesus Christ.   

GIVE TODAY

February 28, 2022 

During the last week of February, Russia launched attacks against Ukraine. The escalating conflict and potential humanitarian crisis triggered an exodus of people seeking refuge elsewhere in the region.   

During any humanitarian crisis, safe water is critical to survival. It helps prevent the spread of waterborne illnesses, which are especially deadly to young children. Water Mission is responding by sending an assessment team to the region. We will evaluate the safe water, sanitation, and hygiene needs of those displaced by the crisis and discern how to best serve those impacted. 

With more than 20 years of experience as a safe water charity responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises, Water Mission has an extensive background in providing immediate and long-term safe water solutions. In each response, our team is there to reassure those dealing with overwhelming loss that God is with them. 

Please pray for the people of Ukraine and the surrounding region, and for our staff responding to this urgent situation. We also invite you to consider supporting Water Mission’s relief efforts to bring safe water to those displaced by the conflict.  

GIVE TODAY

The post Ukraine Relief Updates appeared first on Water Mission.

This article below appears as it does in the print edition of the Spring 2022 Newsletter. For the latest updates on Water Mission’s crisis response in Ukraine, click here.

The escalating conflict in Ukraine has triggered an exodus of people, primarily women and children, seeking refuge elsewhere in the region. Water Mission is actively working with partners, local churches, and community groups to care for and serve these refugees. 

Water Mission was quick to respond, sending two assessment teams to border crossings in Poland and Romania within the first few days of the conflict. They immediately evaluated urgent needs and connected with local churches and other NGOs in the area to collaborate on how to best serve refugees.   

We are now partnering with local churches and civic groups near the Ukraine border to help meet refugees’ physical and emotional needs. With regard to emotional needs, our efforts include providing Bibles and biblical trauma healing resources to help minister to refugees and share the Living Water message of Jesus Christ.  

Our strategy is not simply to meet immediate needs, but also to look ahead. Support from caring friends enabled us to proactively ship emergency safe water systems and distribution equipment to Poland and Romania. We are collaborating with other aid organizations on future recovery efforts within Ukraine. These plans include emergency water production and repairs to water infrastructure damaged during the conflict. 

With more than 20 years of experience responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises, Water Mission has an extensive background in providing immediate and long-term solutions. We’ve served hundreds of thousands of refugees in Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi. In each of our disaster responses, our team is there to reassure those dealing with overwhelming loss that God is with them. 

We are blessed by those who have generously come alongside us as the hands and feet of Christ. Please join us in praying for the local churches converting their sanctuaries into shelters where refugees can find nourishment, a warm place to sleep, and the hope of Jesus. Pray especially for the women and children we are serving as they seek safety in this season as refugees. As the situation evolves, you may visit watermission.org for updates on our crisis response. 

Give Today

The post Crisis Response in Eastern Europe appeared first on Water Mission.

Around the world, 2.2 billion people lack access to safe water. The global water crisis claims the lives of more than 800,000 men, women, and children each year. Parents struggle to lift their families out of poverty when so many hours are spent collecting water that is often contaminated. Boys and girls are too sick to attend school because of drinking unsafe water. Healthcare facilities and schools cannot serve their communities well when proper hygiene and sanitation are simply beyond reach.

Access to safe water can change lives, building health and hope. It can create educational and economic opportunities that help break the cycle of poverty in families and communities. Water Mission’s vision is that all people have safe water and an opportunity to experience God’s love. 

This World Water Day, we invite you to come alongside us in celebrating the transformation taking place in communities that now have access to clean, safe water.  

Lucy is a mother and grandmother in Morpus, Kenya. Raising her children without access to safe water was dangerous—at times, even deadly. But her grandchildren will grow up with the transformative benefits of safe water. She says, “When Water Mission came, people did not visit the hospital as often. Kids go to school without a problem. So, life here is good. Life has changed completely.” 

Yabes is a farmer and father of four in Oenoni 2, Indonesia, who says, “It is extraordinary. Our lives changed after Water Mission came to Oenoni 2, because we no longer had trouble fetching water. Usually, my wife or my children took turns to fetch water for daily needs, but now we can use our time to work, and my children can study and also play.” 

Juliet, a mother of three in Ikonia, Uganda, told us, “Ever since we had this safe water, we have never gone to the taps and it’s not running. It is also very convenient to fetch. Can you imagine? Anytime I want to get safe water, I just knock at the tap operator’s door, and she gladly opens the tap for me!” 

Friends like you enable Water Mission to save lives and create lasting change for people like Lucy, Yabes, and Juliet. Learn more about Water Mission’s best-in-class safe water solutions and how you can join us in serving men, women, and children around the world.  

GET INVOLVED

The post 2022 World Water Day:  Clean, Safe Water Changes Lives  appeared first on Water Mission.

On United Nations’ International Women’s Day, we honor women around the world. Many work diligently and with love to protect and provide for their families, from caring for children to contributing to household income. 

In recent weeks, the world has watched hundreds of thousands of women and children flee their homes in Ukraine. Many women waited with their little ones in 14-mile queues at dozens of border cities in the bitter cold, seeking refuge and safety in neighboring countries while their husbands stayed behind. 

In any humanitarian crisis, safe water is critical to survival. Reliable access to clean, safe water can help prevent the spread of waterborne illnesses. Waterborne illnesses are especially deadly to young children. Women who have already risked so much for their children need clean, safe water in refugee settings to continue keeping their little ones safe. 

Thanks to generous friends who came alongside us, Water Mission was ready to respond to the crisis. Within days, we sent an assessment team to the region to evaluate the safe water, sanitation, and hygiene needs of those displaced by the crisis. We are now actively working with partners and local churches to care for and serve those impacted.    

Water Mission’s Global Partnerships Director, Melissa Blauvelt, is one of our team members responding in Eastern Europe. From the border crossing in Korczowa, Poland, Melissa sends her thanks to our supporters who have enabled her to “be on the border supporting vulnerable women and children in their flight out of Ukraine.”  

The reception center in Korczowa is housing 2,000 to 3,000 refugees from Ukraine, Melissa shares. She says, “Inside, you see lots of women…doing their best to care for their kids and comfort them.” 

“In honor of Women’s Day, we just lift up these women and children,” Melissa continues. “Please say a prayer for them and their safety. We don’t know where they’re going next, but we know it’s a tough journey. It’s hard to leave your husbands, brothers, and sons behind.”

Water Mission has more than 20 years of experience responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises, meeting immediate needs and developing longer-term solutions. In each response, our team is there to reassure those dealing with overwhelming loss that God is with them.   

Please pray for the women of Ukraine and the surrounding region. We also invite you to consider supporting Water Mission’s relief efforts to serve those displaced by the conflict. When you partner with Water Mission, you bring health and hope to women and families in their time of need.  

GIVE TODAY

The post International Women’s Day: Serving Refugees from Ukraine appeared first on Water Mission.

Water Mission was honored to serve more than 1.4 million men, women, and children in 2021. 

Because of partners like you who have come alongside us, more than 1 million people have access to safe water. In addition, 30,000 people received sanitation solutions, such as latrines at home, in their medical facilities, or at school. More than 90,000 people are benefitting from the health and protection that comes from hygiene solutions like handwashing stations and community training. With your help, we’ve also served more than 265,000 survivors of 10 disasters around the world. Throughout all our work as a safe water charity, we were committed to showing God’s love to those in need. 

Every individual who gains access to safe water represents a victory in the fight against the global water crisis. They also are examples of God’s faithfulness and love, as you can see in the people and communities highlighted below. 

Improving Health Conditions for Patients, Healthcare Workers, and Communities 

Providing safe water to healthcare clinics is an ongoing priority for Water Mission. Mothers and their newborn babies in Chiwe, Malawi, were among those who benefited from a Water Mission safe water solution in their local healthcare center. It enabled expectant moms to deliver their babies close to home instead of traveling miles away while in labor. Read more here. 

Supporting Children and Their Families 

Of course, children need access to safe water well beyond infancy. For many years in Kavingoni Yeemulwa, Kenya, school-aged children missed classes and couldn’t keep up with their education due to the time spent collecting water. Unfortunately, this water was contaminated water and often made the kids too sick to attend school. Then Water Mission installed a safe water solution with seven water access points, including at the local school. The project serves 2,700 people and helps to keep children and their families healthy. Read more here.   

Safeguarding Community Members 

In Mexico, the families of Francisco Madero faced similar problems to those in Kavingoni Yeemulwa. One couple, Hipolito and Martha Avila, saw firsthand the negative impact of using contaminated water. This was especially true for the most vulnerable community members, the elderly and children—including Hipolito and Martha’s children. The sustainable safe water solution Water Mission and our partner Iglesia Solo Cristo Salva y Sana (Only Christ Heals and Saves Church) installed has given new life to this community, serving more than 1,500 people. Read more here. 

Strengthening Safe Water Systems After Natural Disaster 

On top of the everyday challenges of accessing clean, safe water, communities throughout the Bahamas experienced massive flooding and destruction after 2019’s Hurricane Dorian. At the time, Water Mission installed four reverse osmosis (RO) systems, designed by Parker Hannifin, to meet the dire need for safe water. In 2021, we installed a fifth RO system at Rand Memorial Hospital, the country’s second-largest public health facility, meeting the dire need for healthcare workers to access safe water. These RO systems, installed above flood level and able to purify salty water, ensure that clean, safe water is available even in the event of another natural disaster. Read more here. 

Disaster Response Following Artic Storms in Texas 

When winter storms swept across Texas in February, record-shattering cold temperatures caused pipes to freeze, leaving half the population without access to safe water. Water Mission sent skilled volunteer plumbers and provided emergency plumbing supplies to restore safe water access in the homes of vulnerable homeowners like Anna Margaret, a single mother. Read more here.  

Recovering and Healing 

Recovering in the aftermath of a traumatic event is about physical survival—and also about emotional and spiritual healing. Refugees, especially those escaping war-torn areas, need this healing. To assist the many people pouring into a large refugee settlement in Uganda, Water Mission partnered with local pastors and church leaders. These faith leaders were trained as biblical trauma healing facilitators who can effectively counsel and encourage those in their communities, helping refugees and other community members hope again. Read more here. 

Hope for the Future 

Where would we be without the hope of Christ to guide us? The hope of the Living Water, Jesus Christ, guided our work in 2021. Please join us in praying for the 2.2 billion people still awaiting safe water. There is more to be done, and we look to God’s providence to guide us in this continuing journey. 

 Pray with Us 

The post 2021 Snapshot: Serving 1.4 Million People with Safe Water and More  appeared first on Water Mission.

Over the past 10 years, Water Mission has developed a robust safe water program in Haiti. We’ve formed and nurtured community-led Safe Water Committees, equipped local churches to share God’s love with those around them, and built a network of partners. Thanks to friends who have been praying for and supporting this long-term engagement, we were well-positioned to respond to the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in August.   

In southern Haiti, where the earthquake caused significant damage, 35 of our best-in-class safe projects had been providing lifesaving water for years. Since Haiti is prone to hurricanes and earthquakes, our engineers proactively incorporated  safety factors when constructing the buildings that  house the systems. This proactive approach protects safe water systems from natural threats. The result of this intentional approach is that the systems were still running after the earthquake and able to produce extra water for neighboring impacted communities.   

Because we have an office and warehouse in Port-au-Prince, emergency water treatment systems were also ready for deployment. This preparation—and dedicated local staff—allowed us to get safe water flowing for other communities quickly.  

Providing safe water is one of the top needs after a disaster and a way to show God’s love to those facing overwhelming loss. As our work in Haiti continues, we are blessed by the opportunity to bring lifesaving safe water and hope the hope of Jesus Christ to our global neighbors. 

give now

The post Resilience and Preparation: Responding to the Haiti Earthquake  appeared first on Water Mission.

On the morning of August 14, 2021, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the southern region of Haiti. The deadly quake devastated communities and claimed more than 2,100 lives in Les Cayes, Jeremie, and the surrounding communities.  

Thanks to our faithful partners and Water Mission’s existing program in Haiti, we were well-positioned to respond to God’s call when this crisis occurred. We quickly deployed our team to assess needs and determine the best disaster response to ensure our global neighbors had access to clean, safe water. Working closely with our partners, we are: 

• Leveraging the 40 Water Mission projects in southern Haiti to ensure the uninterrupted flow of safe water for impacted communities.  
• Transporting seven water treatment systems from our Haiti warehouse to meet all safe water needs for 35,000 people.  
• Shipping an additional five systems from our headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina. 
• Deploying Water Mission engineers to help repair municipal water systems. 

Water Mission has had a permanent presence in Haiti for more than a decade. Through established partnerships, our Haiti team has been among the first responders to other disasters in Haiti, including the 2010 earthquake that claimed the lives of 220,000 people. Following that earthquake, our team worked around the clock to provide safe water to 250,000 people. We also trained community members on how to efficiently operate the systems and taught healthy hygiene behaviors to reduce the spread of disease. 

“Assessing safe water needs in the first few days after a natural disaster is critical to avoid the spread of illness. Our global staff are well versed in disaster response. Water Mission’s established presence in Haiti will allow us to reach people in need as quickly as possible with emergency safe water.” 

— George C. Greene IV, PE, Water Mission CEO and President 

Providing safe water after a disaster is a way to show God’s love and bring hope to those facing overwhelming loss. Please pray for the communities impacted by this earthquake and for our staff in Haiti as we continue to assess and respond to this urgent situation. Please also consider supporting Water Mission’s disaster relief efforts today. Your gift will bring life-saving safe water and the hope of Jesus Christ to men, women, and children desperately in need.  

GIVE SAFE WATER 

The post After the Earthquake: Safe Water for Our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti appeared first on Water Mission.