THE Embassy of Israel in the Philippines donated NUF water-filtration systems to Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), which were distributed to areas stricken by Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) in Mindanao.
The water-filtration systems were sent to Del Carmen and San Isidro in Siargao Island, as well as Cagdianao and Basilisa in Dinagat Islands on March 29.
“Water is life. This donation is Israel’s initiative to support and promote access to potable water in the Philippines,” said Ambassador Ilan Fluss. “When [‘Odette’] struck…areas in Mindanao, [we] saw the need for clean, drinking water. We coordinated with MinDA to help identify which areas we could extend this assistance.”
Fluss added: “Israel’s innovation and technology can contribute to solving some of the challenges of the Philippines.”
The Israeli-made technology is a portable crank-operated machine capable of taking water from a polluted source such as a river, and purifying up to 400 liters per hour—enough to supply all the daily water needs of 300 to 400 people.
Prior to this, the embassy sent immediate relief efforts in December to Cebu, Bohol, and Siargao, which were also affected by the recent calamity.
“The embassy saw the urgent needs of the people. We donated food packs, hygiene kits, water filtration systems, and solar panels to these affected areas,” Deputy Chief of Mission Nir Balzam shared.
In 2021 MinDA and local government units in Mindanao received a training program by Israel’s Center for International Cooperation, or MASHAV, for water conservation and management. With the said organization, the initiative is part of the ongoing partnership of the Israeli Embassy and MinDA.
Image credits: Minda/Israel Embassy