WASH Rotary Action Group Newsletter – April 2021
Virtual World Water Summit 13
This year's World Water Summit will focus on the crisis on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in healthcare facilities (HCFs).

It is reported that in least developed countries that 22% of health care facilities have no water service and 21% lack sanitation service.

Confirmed speakers are:
Joanne McGriff, Emory University
John Oldfield, Global Water 2020 

Register now.
Make a Difference in WASH
The WASH Rotary Action Group is a vibrant and ever-growing organization with 1,500 members across 80+ countries. Our work is widely recognized as making valuable contributions to the WASH Sector, both within and outside of Rotary. This Action Group is supported by a small and effective volunteer Operations Team.

We are currently looking for two experienced volunteers to fill the roles of:

Visit our website to learn more about these positions.
People of WASH Deadline
The deadline to submit photographs and videos for the People of WASH Photograph and Video Competition is April 30.

We are looking for your photographs and videos showing people involved in water, sanitation, and hygiene projects.

There are photography and video sections with amateur and professional categories. There is $2,400 in prize money.
SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands
World Hand Hygiene Day is May 5 and the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are using this date to raise hand hygiene awareness, with the objective to move action to the point of care and to reduce healthcare-associated infections.

The aim of the campaign is to improve healthcare providers adherence to hand hygiene recommendations, to address myths and misconceptions about hand hygiene, and to empower patients to remind healthcare providers to clean their hands.
50% of Clubs in District Participate
Over the past 13 years, nearly 50% of the Rotary clubs in District 7890 have provided funding for sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene projects for the indigenous Mayans of northern Guatemala.

Rick Lawrence, of the Rotary Club of Manchester, CT, has coordinated this project in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Antigua Guatemala. 15,000 people in 25 villages have been impacted by this project.

Projects to provide WASH for the Mayan communities continue and they would welcome any clubs that are interested in being involved.

This project was highlighted in a President-Elect Training in their area. Read about it here.
When Toilets Collapse
In November 2019, due to heavy rains, the boys toilet block collapsed at a school in the Kilimanjaro area, Tanzania. The Rotary Club of Morden, UK, has made a commitment to provide water, sanitation and hygiene facilities for not only the boys, but also the girls at this school.

John de Ronde. of the Morden Club is coordinating this project and has convinced the Rotary Club of Callington, UK to be a partner and the Rotary Club of Moshi, Tanzania to be the Host Club.

Visit their web site to learn more and this project and how your club can get involved.
WASH Rotary Action Group Projects
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 Club of Utrecht-West is working with the Rotary Club of Arusha as the Host Club to bring WASH to 20 schools and 27,500 students in Arusha, Tanzania.

The Global Grant for this project indicates the total cost is $247,000. While they have raised a significant amount, they are still looking for other partners.

On this website, you can read the details of this well-planned project.
Calendar of Events
 
5 May 2021 - HAND HYGIENE DAY
 
28 May 2021 - MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY
 
Virtual World Water Summit 13 – WASH in Healthcare Facilities
Thurs. June 3, 6 pm CST (18 h UTC +5) or
        Fri. June 4, 10 am CST (10 h UTC +5)
 
4-8 Oct 2021 - UNC Water and Health Conference, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
 
15 Oct 2021 - GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY
 
24 Oct 2021 - WORLD POLIO DAY
 
19 Nov 2021 - WORLD TOILET DAY

22 Mar 2022 - WORLD WATER DAY
Submit your stories, videos, and pictures for upcoming Newsletters to 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.