Mississippi to Pakistan, WCK responds to flooding-induced crises

 

Responding to a water system failure, WCK activates in Jackson, Mississippi Disrupted by years of deferred maintenance and recent flooding, the failure of Jackson’s water treatment plant has left roughly 150,000 people without access to water. WCK is working steadfastly to distribute potable water directly to families while also helping provide water tanks for local schools. For years, residents of Jackson, Mississippi have become accustomed to water supply and quality issues. The problem stems from the city’s aging and neglected water infrastructure. In late July, a boil water notice was yet again issued for Jackson. Now a month later, the water treatment plant was pushed to the brink when torrential rains and flooding left it unable to pump out clean water. Many in the community have either brown water or none at all, people cannot use the bathroom or cook, and businesses and schools are closed. The ongoing water crisis especially hurts the nearly 25% of residents who live in poverty and are forced to find transportation or money to obtain clean water.  Coordinating with vendors and local entities like Jackson Public Schools, our Relief Team is on the ground to ensure no one is left without water. We’re setting up potable water distribution sites and are allocating large supplies of water to churches, homebound and disabled communities, and schools. Today, we opened our first drive through site for residents as well as beginning deliveries of water directly to seniors and others unable to come pick it up. This is a quickly evolving situation, so stay tuned for updates.  SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS Today a WCK water tank arrived for students at Jackson State University! Water will be used for sanitation purposes and the school's HVAC system as temperatures rise into the 90s.  Meal Delivery Beginning Tomorrow in Pakistan More than 1,000 people have lost their lives as a result of the worst rains and flooding in Pakistan’s history. An estimated 15% of the country’s population—approximately 33 million people—has been affected by extreme weather sweeping across the region. Together with WCK partner Instant Aid, we will begin providing hot meals to impacted families in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province tomorrow. Flooding has swept away villages, leaving countless families without homes, destroying schools and hospitals, and wiping out crops. Extensive damage caused by this climate change-related emergency, including the formation of a 62-mile-wide inland lake by record rain, will hamper recovery efforts for months and years to come. Donate here to support our work. Stay up to date on our efforts around the world by following WCK on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.