A 1,600-pound water purification system, purchased by OBI and Water Missions International is unloaded from a DHL aircraft. Each system can provide up to 10,000 gallons of clean drinking water daily.

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador - Operation Blessing, global shipping partner DHL, and Water Missions International (WMI) are back in action again – this time, bringing much-needed relief to thousands of flood victims in Ecuador.

Torrential rains that began in early February have triggered severe flooding, leaving thousands homeless and many provinces still several feet underwater. Civil officials say the rains are the worst Ecuador has seen in a quarter century.

OBI and partner WMI purchased two portable water purification systems that will provide a combined 20,000 gallons of clean drinking water a day for flood victims.

Both units have arrived in-country this week and are awaiting clearance as teams scout the most critical locations to set up the systems. DHL delivered the 3,500-pound shipment free of charge, and is providing local employee volunteers to oversee the delivery of the systems to their final destination.

An estimated 10,000 families have been affected by torrential rains and flooding in Ecuador.

“DHL is proud to play a meaningful role in this international relief effort, employing both logistics expertise and local volunteers to help deliver clean drinking water to the thousands of Ecuadorian people affected by the floods,” said Chris Weeks, DHL’s director of humanitarian affairs in a press release.

This is the third time OBI has partnered with DHL and WMI to aid in a humanitarian crisis. Last November, teams purchased and delivered four systems in response to the flood-ravaged Mexican Gulf and another four systems again for victims of a devastating cyclone in Bangladesh.

“It has been our experience, having worked in 96 countries around the world, that floods devastate the drinking water supply very quickly and accelerate the spread of diseases like cholera, malaria and dengue fever,” said OBI President Bill Horan. “That is why, when disaster strikes, providing water purification systems to the impacted area immediately is OBI’s top priority.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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