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After the Deluge, a Need for Water that’s Safe to Drink
The American Red Cross and Sri Lankan Red Cross are equipping communities affected by the 2004 tsunami with the know-how to purify their drinking water and avoid disease.
By Zach Abraham, Communication Officer, Tsunami Recovery Program
Friday, October 26, 2007 — A Bodhi tree in Matara, Sri Lanka, is traditionally the site of a Buddhist temple, but earlier this month the tree was the focus of a different pilgrimage—families coming from surrounding areas to receive ceramic water filters from the American Red Cross and Sri Lankan Red Cross.
A Sri Lankan Red Cross worker demonstrates how to use a ceramic water filter. Zach Abraham/American Red Cross
A Sri Lankan woman receives a ceramic water filter kit from a Red Cross worker. Zach Abraham/American Red Cross
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The community members in attendance all suffered from the devastating impact of the December 2004 tsunami, but on this day, they were preparing for their future, not reflecting on their past.
"Three years on, this is about our recovery, our health and the health of our families," said R.S.P. De Silva, an elementary schoolteacher and mother of two.
More than 140 ceramic water filters were distributed as part of a large-scale effort to ensure tsunami-affected communities in Sri Lanka have access to clean drinking water. To help 200,000 people in tsunami-affected areas obtain clean water and reduce their risk of contracting water-borne diseases, the American Red Cross and Sri Lankan Red Cross are equipping two local pottery manufacturing centers to produce the filters.
"Until now, the knowledge and equipment required to make the filters made it impossible to produce them locally, but that has all changed," said Omar Rahaman, project manager with the American Red Cross. "Now, through this project, local pottery manufacturing centers and other suppliers can meet local demand with local goods. That’s a powerful step forward in the recovery process."
Red Cross Focuses on Education
To date, more than 3,600 ceramic water filters have been distributed in tsunami-affected areas. Each filter is capable of providing 30-40 liters of clean drinking water per day. The filters purify water by passing it through pores in ceramic pots.
When used appropriately, the filters can effectively eliminate 99.88% of disease-carrying organisms. To promote proper use of these systems, the Red Cross is focusing on education.
"When you combine education and water filtration, you lower the risks associated with water-borne diseases," said Mr. Rahaman. "When you couple that with routine follow-up visits, you promote long term sustainability at the community level. That is what this project is all about."
Following up with the families after they get the filters is a critical component of long-term sustainability of the project. Visits occur after one week, one month and three months.
"We conduct satisfaction assessments with filter recipients to ensure that they are using the filters properly, to make sure the filters are still functioning and to examine what kinds of improved hygiene practices are taking place," said P.W. Jithananda Ranawaka, ceramic water filter project supervisor for the Sri Lanka Red Cross.
As midday broke in Matara and the last of the families carried away their water filters, the Red Cross prepared to head to the next community and another day of distribution, education and protected health. Mrs. De Silva stood near the long branches of the Bodhi tree and reflected on the day’s events.
"As soon as I thought about the filters, I thought about my school," she said. "We need these filters in our classrooms. It makes perfect sense."
As part of the world's largest humanitarian network, the American Red Cross alleviates the suffering of victims of war, disaster and other international crises, and works with other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies to improve chronic, life-threatening conditions in developing nations. We reconnect families separated by emergencies and educate the American public about international humanitarian law. This assistance is made possible through the generosity of the American public.
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