Water Missions International is responding to the urgent need for safe water as Burundi refugees flee from political unrest and conflict into displacement camps in Tanzania. Built in 1997, the Nyarugusu refugee camp, located in western Tanzania, was designed to host a maximum of 50,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is currently serving as home to 81,000 Burundian refugees in addition to the 62,000 Congolese refugees. With growing political unrest, an additional 70,000 refugees are expected over the coming days. For those living in the camp, access to clean water and sanitation has quickly deteriorated. As of May 21st, multiple cases of cholera have been reported, and the situation within the camp has turned dire.
Water Missions International, a nonprofit Christian engineering organization, responded by sending staff to assess the water and sanitation needs and coordinate an immediate response. As of now, Water Missions has 10 water treatment systems scheduled to leave for Tanzania over the next two weeks. These 10 Living Water™ Treatment System (LWTS™) systems are capable of serving 50,000 people with safe water every day.
Because Water Missions has partners and staff located around the world, we are able to rapidly respond to disasters. Staff members from Charleston and around the world will be traveling to Tanzania to aid in relief efforts. Please join us as we work to bring relief.