WASH Rotary Action Group Newsletter - February 2021
NOTE: Change in Website Address
To be consistent with the change in our name to the WASH Rotary Action Group, 0ur website address has been changed to www.WASH-RAG.org
World Water Day - March 22
Since 1993, the UN has observed March 22 as World Water Day as a way to highlight the importance of clean water. This year's theme is "Valuing Water".

The World Water Day website has toolkits available in English, French and Spanish. The kits include top facts and key campaign messages.

The website has information on an online forum on the topic of Water Source Security. On the website, you can read about the World Water Day Kids Summit and the 20 tips provided by 450,000 children.
An Alarming Situation
"Why is WASH in Health Care Facilities so Important?", has been asked by some Rotarians. Ron Denham, Chair Emeritus of the WASH Rotary Action Group, recently created a presentation available as a PowerPoint and a PDF on the topic (available on the Presentations and Promotional Items tab of our website)

He also wrote a very informative article, "An Alarming Situation" on the crisis of WASH in Health Care Facilities and why Rotary Clubs need to take action.
People of WASH Photograph and Video Competition
We are looking for your photographs and videos showing people involved in water, sanitation, and hygiene projects. The 2021 People of WASH competition allows us to build a gallery of images that can be used by Rotarians to promote their WASH projects and to be used in educational presentations.

There are photography and video sections with amateur and professional categories. There is $2,400 in prize money.

Submission deadline April 30th.
Water Quality Developments & Challenges
USAID: Water Currents is an excellent biweekly newsletter with a summary of publications and resources on specific topics.

The February 11th issue refers to a UNESCO factsheet
that summarizes the UN's Sustainability Development Goals (SDG) that are focused on water. quality issues aimed to "ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all."

As we approach World Water Day it is good to review the UN's Goal to "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Upcoming WASH Symposiums
The 2021 Colorado WASH Symposium will be held virtually on March 11 and 12. This is a free event, that this year has five themes with interesting titles like "Climate Change Risk & Adaptation" and The "Future of WASH". Register Here
The 2021 UNC Water and Health Conference: Science, Policy, and Practice will be held October 4-8, 2021, Chapel Hill, NC. They are accepting proposals for abstracts, side events and plenary sessions.
Cadre of Technical Advisor joins Operations Team

Wade has joined the WASH Rotary Action Group's Operations Team to share information and resources on Global Grants and to engage members of the WASH Rotary Action Group as Technical Advisors.

Visit or Join the WASH E-Club
Over the past year, Rotarians have become familiar with Zoom meetings. The E-Club of WASH has been meeting virtually using Zoom for a number of years. They have members from around the world with a common interest in water, sanitation, and hygiene. Due to meetings being held virtually they have the advantage of being able to have exceptional WASH-related speakers.

Rotarians are welcome to visit or join. Visit their meeting Zoom Schedule.
Cleaning Our Rivers
To celebrate World Water Day many clubs are gathering to clean the rivers in their area. Garbage, especially plastic items, pollute many rivers and in a few hours, Rotarians can make a huge difference to a watercourse.

The Champion for Cleaning Rivers is Salvador Rico of the Rotary Club of South Ukiah. His Club is gathering on Sat. March 20, for three hours, to clean a 100-mile stretch of the Russian River, California.
The WASH Rotary Action Group Project Page continues to grow with a variety of projects from around the globe. The project list provides Rotary members with a place to get expert advice and obtain financial support from other clubs for major project grants. Future newsletters will include a featured project and a few additional projects from the WASH Rotary Action Group Project page.
Highlighted Project
The Rotary E-Club of District 3310, based in Singapore, has created an informative video on the Safe Water Gardens project which is an innovative sanitation solution designed to suit the typical Indonesia villagers. They are partnering with the Rotary Club of Bandung, Indonesia and are seeking other Rotary Club partners to fund a pilot project for a village of 50-100 households in the West Java province of Indonesia. The funding will also support research to further enhance the SWG solution and hygiene education program for the villagers
District 9211 Tackles Numerous WASH Projects
Joseph Mubiru, Regional Grants Support Officer, for District 9211 of Tanzania and Uganda contacted us about the many WASH projects the clubs in their district are planning. They are looking for International partners.
Project Type
1) Kabungo school infrastructure & WASH Project
2) Dik-Dik School WASH Project

1) Greater Masaka Mega Fellowship WASH Project

1) Green Ribbon Project - WASH in 15 primary schools
2) Kabasumba Adopt a Village Project (WASH Plus)

1) Solar Powered piped water to communities

1) Ten school WASH Project
Calendar of Events
Mar 3, 2021 - 7 am Eastern - Advocating for WASH in Healthcare Facilities
Hosted by the WASH advocacy group Global Water 2020 and their partners
NOTE: Simultaneous French and Spanish translation will be available.

Mar 11 and 12, 2021 - Colorado WASH 2021 Virtual Symposium

Mar 17, 2021 - 7 am Eastern - Advocating for WASH in Healthcare Facilities
Hosted by the WASH advocacy group Global Water 2020 and their partners
NOTE: Simultaneous French and Spanish translation will be available.

Mar 22, 2021 - WORLD WATER DAY


May 5, 2021 - HAND HYGIENE DAY

May 28, 2021 - MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY

Oct 4-8, 2021 - UNC Water and Health Conference, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Oct 15, 2021 - GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY

Oct 24, 2021 - WORLD POLIO DAY

Nov 19, 2021 - WORLD TOILET DAY
Submit your stories, videos, and pictures for upcoming Newsletters Email us at info@wasrag.org.
The WASH Rotary Action Group 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. The WASH Rotary Action Group 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.