June 18, 2014 - A cholera outbreak in Mulwanda, a fishing village on the shore of Lake Victoria in the Namayingo District of Uganda, has killed two people and at least 110 have been reported sick.
In response to news of the outbreak, Water Missions International (WMI) staff in Uganda has installed a Living Water ™ Treatment System (LWTS™) to treat water from Lake Victoria. The LWTS™, a miniature treatment plant, relies on filtration and chemical disinfection to neutralize pathogens and ensure the treated water is safe to drink. Raw water is being pumped from Lake Victoria through the LWTS ™ to a temporary 5,000 liter reservoir tank and then distributed to two temporary tap stands from which the community can access safe water.
“The Namayingo District reached out to WMI for emergency assistance and we are fortunate that we were in a position to respond immediately. The 2,500 people of Mulwanda have expressed great joy at the opportunity for safe water and the hope that the system might one day become permanent,” said Michael Bazira, WMI Uganda Country Program Director.
WMI’s rapid response was possible because of WMI Uganda staff’s strong relationships in the Namayingo district. WMI Uganda has implemented three other LWTS™ systems in nearby areas.
Access to safe drinking-water and adequate sanitation are widely recognized as the key factors in preventing cholera outbreaks. WMI intends to further support cholera prevention and control efforts in the area by implementing WASH health and hygiene training.
Ultimately, Water Missions would like to convert this temporary emergency installation into a sustainable safe water solution for the people of this community. Creating a sustainable solution would involve an upgrade to the physical equipment as well as construction of a permanent shelter for the system and installation of a distribution network. Beyond construction lies the need to assist the people of Mulwanda in understanding how to manage the safe water project to ensure that it will last for generations.
WMI is currently seeking funds to assist with this and similar life-saving efforts. Please consider a gift to help WMI bring an end to the cholera outbreak and rapidly respond to future emergencies and disasters around the world.
Water Missions International is a nonprofit Christian engineering organization providing sustainable safe water and sanitation solutions for people in developing countries and disaster areas. Using state-of-the-art technology and engineering expertise, the organization has provided access to safe water for more than 2.4 million people in 49 countries on five continents since 2001. Water Missions International implements customized solutions through a comprehensive community development model in its ten permanent country programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Lynn Beahm
Grants Coordinator
Water Missions International
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Charleston, SC 29417
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