In the wake of one of the world’s deadliest water-related disasters,
Xylem Watermark, Mercy Corps and Planet Water Foundation help victims
begin to recover
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 2013--
Xylem Inc. (NYSE:XYL), a leading global water technology company focused
on addressing the world’s most challenging water issues, in partnership
with Mercy
Corps and Planet
Water Foundation, announced today it is providing safe water and
sanitation solutions to support survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in the
Philippines.
This collaborative response is part of Xylem
WatermarkSM, the company’s
corporate citizenship and social investment program which aims to
provide and protect clean water sources around the world – for those
impacted by water scarcity or are at risk due to water-related disasters
such as hurricanes, floods and droughts. Since 2008, Xylem Watermark has
worked specifically with Mercy Corps to provide lifesaving water before,
during and after emergencies, and since 2012, has partnered with Planet
Water Foundation to provide innovative, gravity-fed water filtration
systems (AquaTowers) to communities in need. These AquaTowers can be
constructed in one day, can provide clean water for more than 1,000
people daily, and can be maintained exclusively by local communities.
In preparation for Typhoon Haiyan’s landfall in the Philippines, Xylem
Watermark and Mercy Corps activated their joint 24-hour response
protocol, designed to mobilize each partner’s global resources to
quickly secure water for victims. Xylem Watermark immediately authorized
US $100,000 from its emergency response fund to support Mercy Corps with
on-the-ground efforts in and around Cebu.
The partners are working rapidly to assess damages, mobilize response
teams, source basic needs such as food and other essential items, and
will work to provide water and sanitation to displaced individuals as
quickly as possible. Xylem also announced the company will double match
all employee donations to Mercy Corps, up to US $50,000, to support
Philippines relief efforts.
“We are deeply saddened by the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan,"
said Steve Loranger, chief executive officer and president of Xylem. "In
the wake of such catastrophic damage, water and sanitation are often
among the greatest needs, and so we are proud to partner with Mercy
Corps and Planet Water Foundation to support critical efforts on the
ground in the Philippines."
In addition, Xylem Watermark and Planet Water Foundation will construct
two AquaTowers in the affected Tacloban region to support survivors and
their families in the weeks, months and years ahead. “With some of
Planet Water’s existing installations providing safe water within
evacuation centers, the additional AquaTowers funded by Xylem will
further support the critical need for safe drinking water benefiting
thousands of displaced residents,” said Nick Hill, executive chairman of
Planet Water Foundation.
Mercy Corps, with a long and impactful history of critical emergency
response in some of the world’s toughest places, immediately recognized
the magnitude of devastation by Typhoon Haiyan. "It is an unfortunate
truth that we continue to see events like Typhoon Haiyan in greater
numbers, and with increasing intensity, all around the world," said Neal
Keny-Guyer, chief executive officer of Mercy Corps. “By leveraging our
expertise in collaboration with support from organizations like Xylem,
we are able to rapidly, holistically and meaningfully respond to the
needs of survivors – making them and their communities even more
resilient and more prepared for what is next.”
About Xylem
Xylem (XYL) is a leading global water technology provider, enabling
customers to transport, treat, test and efficiently use water in public
utility, residential and commercial building services, industrial and
agricultural settings. The company does business in more than 150
countries through a number of market-leading product brands, and its
people bring broad applications expertise with a strong focus on finding
local solutions to the world’s most challenging water and wastewater
problems. Xylem is headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., with 2012
revenues of $3.8 billion and approximately 12,900 employees worldwide.
Xylem was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the last
two years for advancing sustainable business practices and solutions
worldwide.
The name Xylem is derived from classical Greek and is the tissue that
transports water in plants, highlighting the engineering efficiency of
our water-centric business by linking it with the best water
transportation of all -- that which occurs in nature. For more
information, please visit us at www.xyleminc.com.
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a leading global humanitarian agency saving and improving
lives in the world’s toughest places. With a network of experienced
professionals in more than 40 countries, we partner with local
communities to put bold ideas into action to help people recover,
overcome hardship and build better lives. For the past five years, Xylem
and Mercy Corps have provided water solutions to disaster victims in 15
countries, including Japan, Haiti, Pakistan, Ethiopia and the United
States. In January 2013, Xylem and Mercy Corps completed a two-year
pilot project to test the impact and effectiveness of disaster risk
reduction projects around the world. Conclusions and findings from these
projects were compiled into a detailed report,
emphasizing the importance of preparation, community engagement and
capacity-building. For more information, visit mercycorps.org.
About Planet Water
Planet Water is a US-based, nonprofit international development
organization focused on bringing clean water to the world's most
disadvantaged communities through the installation of community-based
water filtration systems and education programs on water health and
hygiene. Our projects are focused on schools, children, and rural
communities who lack access to clean, safe water. Since 2012, Xylem
Watermark and Planet Water Foundation have built more than 20 water
towers near Manila and in Calamba, Philippines, and dozens more in
China, India and Cambodia. You can read more about Xylem Watermark’s
global impact on our interactive
map.
Source: Xylem Inc.
Xylem Inc.
Jennifer Jacob, +1-914-323-5745
Jennifer.Jacob@xyleminc.com