WASRAG Newsletter - March 2020
Our Best Defense Against Coronavirus
Handwashing with soap is the best defense against COVID-19. The WashEm_Quicktip_Coronavirus guide provides practical tips on how to encourage community-level handwashing behavior.

The USAID's Water Currents newsletter highlighted this guide in their March 26, 2020 issue.

For more on this topic watch the webinar from Sanitation and Water for All, featuring presentations from UNICEF and WHO on COVID-19 and WASH
Climate Change is Water Change
This year's theme for World Water Day was water and climate change. Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor created a video that focuses on one of the world's top challenges - Climate Change.

Climate change is causing increased drought, more extreme flooding, and rising water levels. All of these impact on the availability of clean water. Read about building climate resilient cities through improved water and sanitation.
People of WASH Photo and Video Competition
WASRAG has initiated a photograph and video competition with $2,400 in prize money. We are developing a digital library of photographs and videos available to all Rotarians to promote WASH projects on social media, websites, flyers and other promotional materials.
 
Submissions are due by May 1 . To make a submission send an email to PeopleofWASH@wasrag.org .

For rules and guidelines go to People of WASH
Rotary IHE Delft Scholarship
The deadline to apply for the Rotary IHE Delft Scholarship for Water and Sanitation Professionals has been extended to June 1, 2020.

This unique program aims to tackle the world's water and sanitation crisis by increasing the number of trained professionals to devise, plan, and implement solutions in developing and emerging countries.
HANWASH looks for Executive Director
"Our dream is to bring potable water and good sanitation to the entire country of Haiti," said Barry Rassin, Rotary International President 2018-19.

The Haiti National Clean Water Sanitation and Hygiene Strategy (HANWASH) is a massive multi-year project that involves a collaboration of Rotary District 7020, The Rotary Foundation and DINEPA (The Haitian Government's National Water and Sanitation Agency).

HANWASH is conducting an international search for an Executive Director. To learn more about the position and how to apply visit HANWASH Executive Director.
Sand Dams Advocate Wins National Award
Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland annually present their Champions of Change Awards.

This year, James Onions, a member of the Rotary Club of Kew Gardens will be recognize for his leadership in the Sand Dams Project, which provided dryland communities with access to safe clean water.

Working with the charity Excellent Development they were able to provide water to over 100,000 people. The impact on the communities has been enormous, with a reduction in waterborne diseases, an increase in education rates and improved local economies.
Newsletter Needs your Input and Help
We are coming up to our 50th issue of creating the WASRAG Newsletter. We would appreciate your suggestions on what would make it better.

We are also interested in finding Rotarians interested in editing the monthly newsletter, writing articles, or assisting in sourcing interesting items to include.

You can contact us at wasragnews@gmail.com
WASRAG Projects - NEW FEATURE
Rotary members have expressed the value for WASRAG to maintain a current and pending project list to enable Rotary Clubs to partner, collaborate and learn from sharing project knowledge. Rotary Clubs are often seeking expert help and frequently are seeking financial support for major project grants. Future newsletters will include a featured project and a few additional projects from the WASRAG Project page .
Myanmar Water Management Systems
Local Host Club - Rotary Club of Yangon , Myanmar
International Partner - Rotary Club of Los Angeles (LA5)
Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is among the poorest countries in the world, where 26% of the nation’s 51 million people live in poverty. The lack of clean, safe drinking water is one of the major reasons for illness and premature death.

The Rotary Club of Los Angeles (LA5) has made a commitment to construct safe water systems throughout the country of Myanmar. To date they have constructed 70 systems, each with a life span of 35-45 years. They have identified the need for 20,000 more projects, which they are tackling in increments.

To construct the next group of water systems they have raised $56,200 of a budget of $72,000.

To help fund this group of projects and others that will happen in the future, contact Herbert McGurk or to learn more visit Myanmar Water Project .
Recently Created or Updated Projects
Ongutoi Health Centre - Budget $275,000 Updated Feb 26, 2020
Rotary Club of Newmarket, Canada

Clean Water in India - Budget $100,000 Updated Feb 16, 2020
District 2203, Spain
To get your project listed on the WASRAG Projects page and/or to get highlighted in a future newsletter contact Omar K Helferich at  okeithhelferich@msn.com who manages the Projects page
Upcoming and previous E-Club Speakers
On the first and third Thursdays of each month at 8 pm Eastern and the second and fourth Tuesdays at 12 pm Eastern. All Rotarians are welcome to join the Rotary E-Club of WASH online meetings that are focused on global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene issues. All their presentations are on-line for viewing at a later time.

April 2 - 8 pm - Michael Barrington - Replay
WinS - Lessons learned from Honduras
Apr 7 - 12 pm - Strategic Planning - Club Assembly
Apr 16 - 8 pm - Barbara Stewart, waterforme.org,
Water Testing
Apr 16-12 pm - Barbara Stewart - Replay
May 7 - 8 pm - Tania Vachon
Social Art for Behaviour Change

To attend a meeting go to https://zoom.us/j/314362718
Calendar of Events
E-Club of WASH - Online Meetings
On the first and third Thursdays of every month at 8 pm Eastern and the second and fourth Tuesdays at 12 pm Eastern (Replay of the previous Thursdays presentation). To learn more visit www.rotarywasheclub.org or join at https://zoom.us/j/314362718

May 1, 2020 - Deadline - People of WASH Photograph and Video Competition

May 28, 2020 - MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY

Oct 15, 2020 - GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY

Nov 19, 2020 - WORLD TOILET DAY

Mar 22, 2021 - WORLD WATER DAY
To submit stories, videos, and pictures for the WASRAG Newsletter send an email to info@wasrag.org .
The Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group (WASRAG) is pleased to consider partnerships with any corporate supporter. Due to the unique attributes of water sources and water provision, acceptance of corporate support does not imply an endorsement of any particular water technology. Rotarians, Rotary clubs, and Rotary partners must evaluate any technology to determine if it is the best solution for the conditions where the program will be implemented. WASRAG can provide guidance about where different technologies work best, but Rotarians and Rotary clubs must make the final decision about how to implement their programs.