WQA Coordinates with Members, Water for People to Aid Tsunami Survivors

WQA is actively looking for ways to help its members contribute to the survivors of the devastating tsunami that hit countries around the Indian Ocean on December 26.

All WQA members have been contacted as well as others in the WQA's databases located in affected countries to determine if they can receive donations of products and/or install and operate equipment in place. The appropriate disaster relief agencies can be informed who those companies are.

WQA also has a working relationship with Water For People (WFP), an international nonprofit development organization committed to the long-term impact of increased access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation and health WFP is acting as a liaison with international organizations that specialize in relief work to deliver aid to the tsunami area.

WFP has offered to find water professionals who can go to help with technical assessments, engineering consulting, water quality evaluation, and other technical assistance. They are also working to find small scale, low-tech water purification and treatment equipment or other systems for the groups that are asking for help.

They have contacted CARE, World Vision, Catholic Relief Services, UNICEF, Lutheran World Relief, Mercy Corps, Direct Relief International, MAP International, Food for the Hungry, and Project CURE. These agencies indicate that they would like technical assistance and donations of equipment or water treatment items.

Clearly, the first priority is the immediate needs connected with digging out, burying the dead, and getting emergency rations and housing to people. The agencies will contact WFP soon asking for technical assistance and items that will help them address the intermediate needs of the victims.

The long-term dangers from water-related diseases could kill or sicken as many individuals as the tsunami itself. WFP is setting up a fund for people to donate to that will help address long-term water and sanitation needs.

Source: WQA