Clean Drinking Water for 1250 Villagers in Morocco

The High Atlas Foundation is in the process of securing funding for several new drinking water projects, but in the meantime, we took time to celebrate World Water Day on March 22, 2015 and all of the projects that HAF conducts to secure access to clean and safe drinking water for rural communities and schools in Morocco.

HAF has provided 19 clean drinking water systems over the last several years, benefitting 4,000 villagers. The benefits of access to clean and safe water are enormous: for every one dollar spent on water and sanitation there is a four dollar economic return. According to the World Health Organization, only 20 liters (approximately 5.2 gallons) of water per person per day is enough to provide for basic hygiene and food hygiene needs.

Through Sami’s Project, HAF works to make sure there is access to water in schools because this access, to both drinking water and bathroom facilities, which is key to increasing girl’s participation in education. The Brookings Institution has shown that increasing girls’ participation in education not only decreases later infant mortality, but also allows women to gain earning power and be part of the labor force. In 85 Moroccan schools, we are working to create a more comfortable, sustainable environment.

In HAF’s work in agriculture, water is also a vital factor. Efficient irrigation and use of water is important in creating sustainable agriculture in the arid mountain environments where we work. By 2050, according to the UN, developing countries will need to produce 100% more agriculturally to meet demand driven by urbanization and population growth. Efficient use of water resources will be a vital part of this.

One community and one solution at a time, HAF is working on solutions to these problems posed on World Water Day. We thank you for your support and hope that we can continue to partner to improve the lives of rural Moroccan families!