Flooding in India has killed at least 1,000 people and left many without homes or access to safe water. WaterStep is mobilizing a team to bring safe water to the people of Uttarakhand where the flooding occurred.
Our approach will differ from traditional disaster relief efforts because instead of sending a large team of Americans to the area to install systems, we will be sending only three Americans to work alongside people stationed in India who have already been trained by WaterStep.
We have worked in North East India for almost a decade, specifically in the region of Meghalaya, and have a team of people trained to install and maintain an M-100 chlorine generator.
After the initial flooding, WaterStep was contacted by Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK) in India who asked us to help them get clean water to those in need. They connected us with the Himalayan Paryawaran Shiksha Sansthan (HPSS) who are partners with OXFAM.
We will be sending five chlorine generators to Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand and mobilizing people to set up water treatment systems for the evacuees. The evacuees include locals, tourists, and pilgrims that were journeying for Char Dham Yatra, a pilgrimage to holy temples in the state.
Those who are already trained will be able to train others, and our distance learning program will allow us to further educate people on how to install and maintain an M-100 chlorine generator through video chatting when necessary.
By empowering locals to install and maintain the systems, we are using a capacity building approach that will allow people and communities to overcome obstacles and maintain solutions to their water problem. Our first step is disaster response, but by including locals, we can take the next step into recovery and rehabilitation, which can then lead to development beyond the initial conditions of the community.
WaterStep’s unique approach increases the potential for sustainability and further development beyond disaster relief.
With your help, we can prepare our team, send M-100 chlorine generators and train locals how to install and maintain our systems. To donate, click here.
