WATER AID AND RENEWABLE POWER (WARP) SYSTEMS
Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation
THE CHALLENGE
Diarrheal diseases are a leading cause of morbidity in Yemen, which is becoming the largest cholera outbreak in modern history with more than a million cases. About 16 million Yemeni people lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Frequent cuts in electricity compromise healthcare and clinics must rely on generators and struggle to find scarce and costly diesel fuel resources.
THE SOLUTION
Considering the dual need for improved water purification and renewable energy access, Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation sought to bring solar-powered water purification systems to three sites in Yemen. Unfortunately, shipping and pandemic travel restrictions impeded the full achievement of the project’s aims. Still, by the end of the CHIC funding period, the construction of one of the three water aid and renewable power (WARP) systems had been finalized and it was ready for shipment to Yemen with instructions provided for on-site installation by local staff. As the Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation continues its work, the goal will be to build more WARP systems, establish new partnerships for local implementation, and test the capacity of the WARP system to produce on-site clean drinking water to meet the needs of vulnerable Yemeni communities.
