September 16, 2024 – Responding to the need for safe drinking water in the wake of natural disasters has become an increasingly important aspect of Planet Water Foundation’s work. In the last week, Typhoon Yagi and subsequent flooding have created devastation across a wide area of Southeast Asia, impacting several of Planet Water’s operational countries.
Thanks to support garnered through our Disaster Response Alliance, Planet Water teams have moved quickly into the impacted areas and are deploying water filtration systems across impacted communities in the north of Vietnam and Thailand.
In Vietnam, systems have been deployed in communities across Yen Bai Province. In these areas, whilst flood waters have subsided, a huge amount of mud and trash has been left behind, municipal water supplies have been contaminated, and electricity supplies disrupted, leaving people to rely on donations of bottled water and food.
Planet Water’s AquaTower systems have been rapidly deployed in Hong Ha Ward and Nguyen Thai Hoc Ward of Yen Bai City, as well as Nga Quan Commune, Tran Yen District, and Minh Xuan Commune, Luc Yen District. With these systems in position, impacted community members have access to a reliable source of safe water for drinking, cooking, and other essential needs, and can focus on rebuilding their communities.
“I am 82 years old but I still try to support my family. We will get over this situation together. During the flooding, our neighbors have been sharing food, and water with each other. Now it’s getting better as we received supports from outside. I am very happy and thankful to the donors and your team who provided us with this water filtration system.”
Ms. Nguyen Thi Duong, Yen Bai province
In Thailand, Planet Water’s team have been providing support in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai, which was hit by severe flooding after the Sai River burst its banks last week. With reports of over 50,000 households affected and the most seriously impacted residents evacuated to safe areas, Planet Water Foundation’s team have deployed water filtration technology to support community members sheltering in the grounds of Wat Phrom Wihan with a reliable source of safe water.
