Charleston, S.C. - As Hurricane Sandy bears down on the Eastern seaboard of the United States, it has left a wake of destruction in its path. Caribbean nations are suffering horrific damage following the Category 1 hurricane.
Charleston-based Water Missions International has initiated an emergency response by sending a team of 7 technicians to help the 15,000 person town of Baraderes, west of Port-au-Prince, which is suffering from a lack of safe water following the hurricane. As an outbreak of cholera has started plaguing Baraderes, Water Missions International will be installing 3 water treatment systems over the next 3 days to provide safe water access to the community.
Water Missions International Co-Founder George Greene, III said, "Cholera represents a dangerous threat to the people of Haiti and Water Missions International will do whatever we can to try and stop this horrible disease. Sustainable, long-lasting safe water is the best way to improve the health of current patients and prevent future outbreaks of cholera."
Food for the Poor, a relief organization operating in Haiti, requested Water Missions International's assistance on the morning of Saturday, October 27th. Within 24 hours, Water Missions International was mobilizing 7 technicians, 3 water systems, hygiene products and preparing to train the community on proper hygiene and cholera prevention. Water Missions International staff was in contact with Haitian leaders within hours of receiving the requested assistance and began ground preparations soon thereafter.
About Water Missions International Water Missions International is a nonprofit Christian engineering organization providing sustainable safe water solutions to people in developing countries and disaster areas throughout the world. Water Missions International has 9 permanent country programs and has worked in 49 countries on 5 different continents. Water Missions International has provided safe water access and sanitation solutions to more than 2 million people since its founding in 2001. Water Missions International has received Charity Navigator’s top rating six years in a row, a distinction shared by only 3% of the charities rated by the organization. Water Missions International is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina. www.watermissions.org
For more information, please contact: Taylor Hall, Water Missions International 843.769.7395 (O) 803.543.8733 (C) thall@watermissions.org