water Archives - GlobalMedic

Middle East Conflict Response 2023

On October 7, 2023, an assault on southern Israel was initiated by Hamas militants. Over the course of four days, this attack resulted in the loss of over 1,200 lives and the taking of approximately 240 hostages. In reaction to this attack, Israel formally declared a state of war. Numerous air and ground strikes on cities within the blockaded Gaza Strip have resulted in the loss of life, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the displacement of an estimated 1.7 million people. About 80% of Gaza’s population has been displaced with a significant percentage being displaced multiple times. Strikes in Gaza are ongoing and vital infrastructure which supports hospitals, power grids, and water supplies have been impacted. Border crossings are also affected, limiting the entry of desperately needed humanitarian aid, and preventing civilians from fleeing the conflict.

This has resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe.

42,000+ KILLED

1.9M DISPLACED

100,000+ WOUNDED

GlobalMedic has extensive experience working in the region and is responding. We are working feverishly to provide the Right Aid to the Right People at the Right Time to all civilians affected by this conflict.

We are providing humanitarian aid in the form of Family Emergency Kits, ready-to-eat food provisions, food hampers and medical supplies, and are supporting the provision of clean drinking water by tanker trucks to civilians affected by the conflict. We have four pillars of programming:

Our primary focus is to provide Family Emergency Kits to civilians. Each kit contains a point of use water purification unit, hygiene supplies and a solar light. The water unit does not need electricity and uses gravity to ensure families have access to clean drinking water for up to a year.

Second, we will provide trauma dressings, wound care supplies, burn care dressings, essential medicines, and other consumable medical supplies to civilian first responders and hospitals to provide care for wounded civilians.

Third, we are focusing on providing food aid. In the initial stages the focus is on ready-to-eat food and will then switch to food hampers when the affected population has a sustained capacity to cook for themselves.

Fourth, we are supporting the distribution of clean drinking water by tanker truck.

Our goal is to provide lifesaving and life sustaining humanitarian assistance to families in need.

Morocco Earthquake Response 2023

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Around 11pm local time on September 8, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the High Atlas mountain range, 72 km southwest of Marrakech, Morocco, a city home to 840,000 people. The quake was followed by a 4.9 magnitude aftershock. This was the biggest earthquake felt in the region. Extensive damage was reported with buildings collapsed and critical infrastructure severely damaged; the death toll was over 2,900.

Approximately 450,000 individuals were believed to have been internally displaced. Relief operations successfully restored crucial pathways, notably in the Ighil region of Al Haouz province. However, concerns persisted regarding road access, particularly in remote locales. This was exacerbated by worsening road conditions and potential weather-related obstacles. By the end of September, primary routes in Al Haouz had been reinstated, but obstacles like traffic congestion and flight limitations persisted, impeding relief endeavours.

2,900+ KILLED

6.8 M EARTHQUAKE

2,500 INJURED

GlobalMedic immediately deployed our Rapid Response Team (RRT) with 4 AquaResponse3 Water Purification Systems to Morocco. Following an earthquake of this magnitude, access to basic supplies becomes nearly impossible. This includes clean drinking water, with damage from the earthquake disrupting existing infrastructure such as water reservoirs. The AR3s are point-of-source water filtration devices that can provide clean drinking water to support over 2,000 people every day. These units were installed at central locations like feeding centres and health clinics to ensure that the water being consumed at these sites was safe to drink.

GlobalMedic’s Rapid Response Team also worked with local partners to run a hot meal program. In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, we took over a local cafe and produced meals daily to provide to people who were affected. Every day we were able to feed hundreds of people, ensuring they stay fed and healthy. We distributed over 27,600 meals through this program.

We then began distributing pantry food hampers and fresh vegetables. All of these food items were locally sourced and traditionally found in Moroccan cuisine. The ingredients could be prepared at the families discretion and helped stock the pantries of those affected by the earthquake. We distributed 7,262 food hampers and 8 tonnes of fresh vegetables to those affected by the earthquake.

After a crisis, families face many challenges. One of the tools GlobalMedic uses to support families are our Family Emergency Kits. These kits have been designed as a holistic solution to solve multiple needs faced by families in crisis. One of the biggest risks that vulnerable communities face in the wake of disasters is waterborne illness. This is caused by the disruption of safe drinking water sources, forcing individuals to retrieve their water through untreated and potentially contaminated sources. Waterborne illnesses like cholera and typhoid can be detrimental to a family’s health and are often deadly. We also worked to distribut 2,700 Family Emergency Kits to families in need.

GlobalMedic also shipped an Alaska tent, which is a military grade mobile structure which can be built in hours and functions in a permanent capacity. It can be used as a mobile medical clinic, a storage facility, or a temporary accommodation. The facility was turned into a classroom in Ouchfilene, a mountain village south of Marrakech. This was put together with help from our Partners El Baraka Angels. This served teachers and students whose schools were damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. We also worked to distribute smaller tents to be used for shelter, distributing 2,000 in total.

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Earthquake Response 2023

Early in the morning on February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkiye and northwest Syria causing massive damage. Later that day a second earthquake of 7.5 magnitude struck the region, increasing the level of impact.

At least 45,900 deaths and 108,000 injuries were confirmed by the Government of Turkiye and close to 160,000 buildings collapsed or were badly damaged. The government issued a Level 4 alarm calling for international assistance.

More than 7,200 deaths and 10,000 injuries were reported in northwest Syria. At least 8.8 million people were affected in Syria, the majority of whom relied on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs prior to the earthquake. This is an extremely vulnerable population and this emergency added tremendous pressure to an already overstretched response.

50,000+ DEAD

7.8 M EARTHQUAKE

23M+ AFFECTED

GlobalMedic quickly mobilized our resources to respond. We deployed our Rapid Response Team to Turkiye in early February to begin conducting needs assessments and connecting with our local partners. The teams carried in 9 AquaResponse3 Water Purification Systems and 1 AquaResponse10 Water Purification System. We also worked to procure 35 locally made systems with the same specifications. These point-of-source water purification units can support over 2,000 people each day. The units can be installed in hospitals or other public community areas and can be operated with generators to provide clean drinking water to a large number of people. This response is critical to safeguard the health of affected families and eliminate the risk of waterborne disease outbreak.

The teams worked to install these systems in a number of locations including at World Central Kitchen sites. These WCK sites were feeding thousands of people a day and the installation of our AR systems allowed them to ensure that all water used to prepare food and consume at the site is clean and safe. Additionally, the teams installed units at multiple medical clinics where it is key for clean water to be accessible at all times. We also installed units across Hatay, one of the hardest hit areas, to provide clean drinking water for rural communities since their potable water sources had been disrupted.

Some of the primary needs identified by our teams were access to food, hygiene items and underwear. Many people who were displaced from their homes were living in temporary or makeshift accommodations and did not have access to these basic needs. We purchased 4,252 food hampers, 6,850 hygiene kits, 8,600+ additional hygiene items, and 14,500 pieces of underwear which have been distributed in the Hatay region.

Due to the makeshift living conditions in which so many people were living, firewood was initially something that was key to maintain access to. February and early March temperatures were low and we procured and distributed 20 tons of firewood to allow families to keep themselves warm. Close proximity living combined with minimal access to hygiene supplies has resulted in the rampant spread of lice and scabies. GlobalMedic distributed lice shampoo and ointment to help treat bites and prevent further spread.

GlobalMedic also launched a response for Syria, where immense devastation also occurred. We procured 12 locally made water purification systems with the same specifications as our AquaResponse systems. We trained our local partners on the operation and maintenance of these systems so that they could install them in areas of most need.

Our volunteers in Canada prepared Family Emergency Kits and Emergency Food Kits to ship and distribute to affected families. Family Emergency Kits are designed to help families address the critical issues that they face in the wake of disaster. Each Family Emergency Kit contains a Point of Use Water Purification Solution, and essential hygiene items. These kits can provide an entire family with safe, clean drinking water and help to keep families clean and healthy, which can prevent further illness. They also contain solar lights. Emergency Food Kits contain a mixture of culturally appropriate pantry items to supplement a families’ diet. We are also adding in water purification tablets and solar lights to the food kits to provide additional resources to affected families. We have shipped 9,440 Emergency Food Kits and 4,320 Family Emergency Kits to our partners for Syria.

Pakistan Flooding 2022

Since June 2022, Pakistan has been bombarded by severe monsoon weather. As of August 27, rainfall in the country is equivalent to 2.9 times the national average. The extreme weather has caused widespread flooding and landslides, leading to the destruction of property and infrastructure. There has also been an enormous impact on human lives: Since June 14, an estimated 1,033 people have been killed and 1,527 people injured, with those numbers expected to increase with the continued rain.

Right now, approximately 33 million people in Pakistan have been impacted by the disaster. Some of the most urgent needs among those affected are those in the area of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). An estimated 3.8 million people are in need of WASH support due to contaminated water and limited access to hygiene items.

The contamination of water supply and destruction of water filtration systems in Pakistan has already exacerbated ongoing disease outbreaks. The World Health Organization has already noted the increased spread of illnesses like acute watery diarrhoea, dengue fever, malaria, polio, and COVID-19. The humanitarian situation in Pakistan will likely worsen even more with the continuation of heavy rain over areas already hit by flooding.

3.9 MILLION PEOPLE IN NEED OF WASH SUPPORT

33 MILLION PEOPLE AFFECTED

FLOODS COVERING MORE THAN 1/3 OF THE COUNTRY

Water purification system set up at a communal kitchen

GlobalMedic’s Rapid Response Team is on the ground in Pakistan working to respond to these growing concerns. In response to the growing outbreaks of diarrheals and other communicable diseases, our team is distributing oral rehydration salts and other medicines to prevent minor cases from developing into life threatening illnesses. 312,000 sachets of oral rehydration salts have been distributed to health clinics and directly to families impacted by the flooding.

We are also working to provide access to clean drinking water both with large point of use systems being used at communal kitchens and clinics and through the provision of Family Emergency Kits. Seven large scale systems have been purchased locally and the RRT carried two AquaResponse3 systems into Pakistan with them. The Family Emergency Kits provide an at home water purification solution as well as essential hygiene supplies. These units will allow families to have access to clean drinking water for up to a year which will be crucial in maintaining their health through the recovery phase of this disaster. To date we have distributed 3,600 FEKs in multiple flood affected regions.

Finally, we are providing food hampers to families displaced by the flooding. These hampers provide a mixture of culturally appropriate staple goods and are procured and packed in Pakistan, supporting the local economy. To date, 10,000 food hampers have been distributed. The needs in Pakistan are immense and our teams continue to evaluate the situation on the ground so we can be mobile and adaptive in our response.

Volunteers preparing Family Emergency Kits

Tonga Volcanic Eruption Response 2022

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano started erupting in late December 2021 and led to a large eruption on January 15, 2022. The volcanic eruption was the worst to hit the Pacific in decades. The eruption generated a 1.2-metre tsunami that hit coastal areas of Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa as well as several other countries of the Pacific Ocean. The eruption also generated a 5km wide plume of ash, steam and gas which blew across the islands of Tonga, leaving a 1-2cm layer of volcanic ash in their wake and causing damage and health hazards across the island nation.

The entire population of Tonga, approximately 105,000 people, was impacted by the eruption and about 84,000 of those people were directly affected. Significant damage was reported across the country. Falling ash also caused the contamination of essential water sources, leaving island residents without access to this fundamental resource.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the crisis in Tonga. The poverty rate in Tonga before this eruption was 25% and as a country that relies heavily on tourism, many industries and businesses have been seriously affected because of COVID-19. This has made the country’s recovery even more difficult.

2 CM OF VOLCANIC ASH

1.2 METRE TSUNAMI

105,000 PEOPLE IMPACTED

The country’s recovery is still ongoing six months after the volcanic eruption and many Tongans are still in need of access to safe water. GlobalMedic is responding. Working with our local partners, GlobalMedic is supporting families in need by supplying Family Emergency Kits. These kits provide a holistic solution to safe water access and include a gravity-fed water purification unit, hygiene items, oral rehydration salts, and solar lights. We have sent 1,440 FEKs to date.

Tonga: Multiple people standing in front of a line of tables. A large carton of solar lights sits behind the table. People are passing items down an assembly line.

Tonga: A man wearing an orange hi-vis vest driving a forklift. There is a skid of boxes in front of the forklift waiting to be picked up and loaded into the open sea container in front of it.

GlobalMedic’s RescUAV Team deployed in August to deliver Drone Pilot Training to participants from Tonga Police, National Emergency Management Office, Tonga Civil Aviation Division, Tonga Geological & Natural Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Forestry, Tonga Fire & Emergency Services and others. Over the course of this 5 day training our team worked to increase the response capacity of the participating agencies so when the next natural disaster occurs they are better equipped to gather information.

Tonga: A group of men stand around an instructor wearing a GlobalMedic t shirt. A UAV rests on a piece of wood in front of the group.

Tonga: Multiple people standing spaced out in a large field with palm trees in the background

Sylhet Flooding 2022

Beginning in May 2022, seasonal rains set off a series of devastating flash floods with a second wave of floods occurring in the second half of June. Over the course of the summer rains and flooding continued impacting an estimated 7.2 million people across 9 districts in Bangladesh including Sylhet. Hundreds of thousands of hectares of agricultural lands were damaged and extensive damage to roads and bridges occurred in Sylhet. More than 106,000 water points were damaged leaving thousands of families without access to clean drinking water. This put these families at risk for developing dangerous water borne diseases like cholera which is endemic in Bangladesh.

74 PEOPLE KILLED

7.2 MILLION PEOPLE AFFECTED

9 DISTRICTS IMPACTED

Sylhet Flooding Response: Two women facing away from the camera holding boxes on their shoulders. The boxes have circular GlobalMedic stickers on them

Sylhet Flooding Response: A woman drinking water from a glass kneeling in front of a water filtration unit unit

GlobalMedic responded by assembling and distributing 900 Family Emergency Kits in flood affected communities. Each kit included a point of use water purification unit, allowing families to purify water in their homes and protecting their heath. Additionally, the kits included hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap to help families maintain normalcy and adequate hygiene practices. In collaboration with local partners, these kits were distributed supporting 4,500 flood affected people with these urgently needed resources.

Tropical Storm Megi Response 2022

On April 10, 2022 Tropical Storm Megi, known locally as Agaton, made landfall in the Philippines. The storm travelled along the eastern and southern coasts of the country causing devastating flooding and landslides. At least 2.2 million people were affected by the storm which killed 212 and displaced more than 800,000 residents. Thousands of homes were damaged, and many displaced families were not able to consistently access clean drinking water.

212 KILLED

2.2 MILLION PEOPLE AFFECTED

800,000 DISPLACED

GlobalMedic’s Rapid Response Team deployed to respond to the affects of Tropical Storm Megi. Two teams were deployed, the first to Tacloban and the second to Iloilo. Both teams carried with them AquaResponse systems, capable of purifying thousands of litres of clean drinking water per day. The teams carried three AquaResponse 3 systems and one AquaResponse10 system with them into the country. Both teams worked with local partners to install the systems at central points to provide access to water at the community level. More than 32,000 people were able to access clean drinking water as a result of the installation of these systems.

The RRT members in Tacloban worked to support families staying in displacement shelters by providing hygiene items and food. Meanwhile, the team in Iloilo conducted needs assessments in the surrounding communities identifying a major need to support with the rebuilding of damaged homes. The team worked to purchase materials and begin the rebuild of 21 homes in the area.

Sudan Complex Emergency Response

After the ousting of the former government in 2018, Sudan was on a path to economic growth and huge transitions in the country which would have a desperately needed impact on the life of vulnerable Sudanese communities. The military coup of October 2021 has shaken this path and the country remains in a precarious situation. Humanitarian needs across Sudan are now at record levels with an estimated 15.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023. Protracted and new displacement, increasing risk of civilian safety, unprecedented spikes in acute food insecurity, floods, high inflation, and persistent disease outbreaks have fuelled this increase in needs.

According to the latest analysis, close to 11.7 million people will be acutely food insecure (IPC Phase 3 and up) this year. This has increased by almost 2 million people since last year. This is one of the contributing factors to a high level of acute and chronic malnutrition in the country. Over 4 million children under-five year and pregnant and lactating women (PLW) need treatment or prevention interventions for acute malnutrition.

Over one-third of acutely malnourished children live in the extreme or catastrophic scale for WASH, exposing them to heightened morbidity and mortality risks. These children make up part of the 5.5 million people who lack basic access to water and the 11.5 million people who need sanitation services including tools for proper hand washing like soap.

GlobalMedic is responding in Sudan by implementing preventative nutrition programs. This program is funded by an International Food Relief Partnership grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This program aims to reduce the risk of acute malnutrition in children under 5 through the provision of ready to use supplemental food (RUSF). Children participating in the program are screened and provided with a six month dose of Enov’Nutributter, which contains essential nutrients to prevent stunting in children who are not getting sufficient nutrition from their diets alone.

Recognizing the multi-sectoral causes of malnutrition, we are also distributing Family Emergency Kits which contain a household ceramic water purification unit. These units will provide access to clean drinking water for up to one year. The FEKs also contain basic hygiene items including soap, which is a critical tool in stopping the spread of communicable diseases, as well as a solar light.

Super Typhoon Rai Response 2021

On December 16, 2021 the Philippines was hit by Super Typhoon Rai. Typhoon Rai has brought destruction and hardship to some of the most vulnerable communities already suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It carried gusts up to 270 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h near the centre making it the strongest storm to make landfall in the Philippines this year. The trail of Super Typhoon Rai crossed the Philippine archipelago from Caraga to Eastern and Central Visayas and Palawan.

As of January 3, there were 407 fatalities and 1,100 injured. The storm affected 6.8 million people and at it’s peak displaced 660,000 people across nearly 2,000 evacuation centres in affected areas. Electricity was out in hundreds of municipalities and due to the severity of the storm it was estimated it may be up to three months before electricity is restored to all locations. Nearly 830,000 houses were damaged by the high winds and will require repairs before they become habitable again.

270 KM PER HOUR GUSTS

6.8 MILLION AFFECTED

660,000+ PEOPLE DISPLACED

GlobalMedic was ready to mobilize and respond to this disaster. We have put together 810 Family Emergency Kits which will provide families with essential resources. The kits contain a ceramic household water filtration unit to provide access to clean drinking water at the point of use. They also contain essential hygiene items like soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, along with oral rehydration salts. Finally, the kits contain a solar light which can be used to extend the day and provide increased security while families are displaced.

Haiti Earthquake Response 2021

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On August 14, at 8:29 ET Haiti was hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that caused widespread destruction in the Sud, Grand’Anse, Nippes, & Nord-Oues Departments. Only two days later, Tropical Depression Grace passed through the country, adding landslides and flooding to the initial damage. Hundreds of aftershocks continued throughout August and September, posing even more risks to an already vulnerable population. More than 60 health facilities were damaged across the most affected departments, and 171 school buildings were completely completely destroyed, representing roughly 16 per cent of all schools in these areas. At least 83,770 homes suffered varying degrees of damage and 53,815 were completely destroyed. An estimated 2,200 people were declared dead and 329 were missing following the disaster.

Haiti has been in an ongoing state of recovery since the 2010 earthquake recovery that has already been hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent assassination of the president.

There is an urgent need for fresh water as thousands of Haitians have been displaced and many homes have been left without electricity and water. This need is compounded by the elevated risks of waterborne diseases such as cholera as well as the potential spread of COVID. Food insecurity is also a critical issue – prior to the earthquake, an estimated 4 million people were already food-insecure and at risk of hunger in Haiti. The earthquake has increased the number of people experiencing food insecurity and worsened the conditions for those already food insecure.

Rapid Response Team members and local partners loading aid into a truck to be moved to the disaster zone

Rapid Response Team members setting up an AR3 water purification system

800,000+ PEOPLE AFFECTED

650,000+ IN NEED OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

100,000+ DAMAGED & DESTROYED HOMES

GlobalMedic sent prepositioned aid prior to the earthquake, including 1,600 of Family Emergency Kits, each with enough Procter & Gamble Purifier of Water Sachets to purify 2,400 litres of water. An additional 720 Family Emergency Kits were packed with Imerys Household Water Purification Units, a compact and easy-to-use system that provides families with access to clean drinking water. All of the Family Emergency Kits contained essential hygiene items such as soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste as well as solar lights. This prepositioning allowed our partner, World Vision, to immediately distribute a total of 2,320 Family Emergency Kits to families in need of fresh water.

Shortly after the earthquake, we deployed our Rapid Response Team to bring in 6 AquaResponse3 Water Purification Systems. The team collaborated with GlobalMedic’s local partners to ensure that the Water Purification Systems were put into use right away.

Volunteers in Canada assembled 400 Emergency Food Kits which were sent to Haiti by air. The kits contain dried staple foods, such as rice, pasta, green peas, corn meal, kidney beans and pigeon peas. Our local partners are in the process of distributing essential food items to families that need them most.

Following this initial response, we sent an additional 960 Emergency Food Kits, 6,433 Family Emergency Kits, 2,600,000 Aquatabs and 86,400 Oral Rehydration Salt sachets.

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