ADRA Taps Technology to Provide Water to 1.5 Million
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The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International announced a new partnership with global water technology leader Grundfos last week, in a move to provide access to clean water to 1.5 million people in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and South Pacific over the next five years. The partnership aims to improve and save lives by using renewable energy and water innovation technologies that provides more efficient and sustainable water access than more traditional methods.
As part of this latest effort, several upcoming projects will start using Grundfos products, including single state-of-the-art solar panel-powered water pumps to replace hand pumps and automated water dispensers, similar to ATMs, which dispense water at the swipe of a pre-charged card. Water projects will focus on underserved populations, especially those in peri-urban communities.
“Giving people access to safe water is a key part of the growth and development of any community. At Grundfos, we are dedicated to improving how people access water and ensuring that the supply remains sustainable for years to come,” said Kim Nøhr Skibsted, Grundfos’ Group Vice President, Communication, Public Affairs & Engagement and a member of Grundfos Group Management. “With a trusted global partner like ADRA, we are certain that our combined efforts will create new opportunities and foster greater prosperity among many vulnerable people.”
Using Grundfos’ solar-power technology, ADRA has created an innovative water kiosk model where customers can get clean water, purchase hygiene supplies and other basic household items from a menu, connect to Wi-Fi, and learn more about various hygiene topics through videos displayed on digital screens at the front of the kiosks. These kiosks will not only provide services to the community but also generate revenue for the entrepreneurs who will own them, as well as create jobs.
ADRA plans to install the first of these water kiosks in southwestern Haiti this summer, providing greater access to water for communities still recovering from Hurricane Matthew’s devastation. Water kiosks are also planned for 2017 in Mozambique, recently hit by an El Niño-induced drought, and Nepal, where safe water access is still needed in areas affected by the country’s devastating 2015 earthquake.
The ADRA-Grundfos partnership is part of a larger 5-year campaign to bring water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions to 10 million vulnerable people worldwide. The campaign will focus on the ways that better water solutions can lead to better lives through improved dignity, health, livelihoods, education, and nutrition.
“Grundfos is the global leader in supplying water pumps and using renewable energy to provide water, and their reputation for quality and innovation is well known,” said Jonathan Duffy, president of ADRA International. “As ADRA looks to make a substantial impact in the lives of millions of people through clean water access over the next five years, we are proud to work alongside Grundfos to support so many families on their journey to greater prosperity.”
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