Water
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Access to water
Water is an essential natural resource and the African continent’s subsoil has plenty of it. The aim is to make this precious resource available to the largest possible number of communities.
Unter supervision and consultation of Dr. Marco Jermini (director and chemical engineer for the Laboratorio Cantonale Ticino, Switzerland) and Eng. Giorgio Nembrini (founder of the water and sanitation sections of the International Committe of the Red Cross CICR), "if..." if is operating the rehabilitation and drilling of water wells in carefully targeted needy communities.
As of 2007, the first projects are under way in the districts of Rufiji in Tanzania and Homabay in Kenia.
The objective is not only to facilitate access to water by drilling new systems and/or rehabilitating existing pumps and distributions systems, but also to train local technicians to operate and maintain such systems. The participation and support of local communities and authorities are an essential element to the success of these endeavours
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For the last thirty years Dr. Giorgio Nembrini has been drilling water wells on the African continent and elsewhere, and has been the coordinator for ICRC in this field.
His professional expertise in water management and related issues is recognized worldwide.
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Giorgio Nembrini will be supported by Marco Jermini, who will take care about the water sanitation aspect of the program. Water can be the carrier of infectious diseases. He will also address the nutritional components of local diets, which often are inadequet.
Dr. Jermini is presently collaborating with WHO (World Health Organization) on the project “Healthy Marketplaces”. The aim of this project is to address issues associated with contaminated waters in marketplaces throughout the developing world in order to prevent the spreading of bacterial infections and epidemics caused by unhygienic practices.