WRAP provides aid to Dine; (Navajo) and Hopi during Covid-19 water crisis

Thousands of  Dine’  (Navajo) and Hopi households haul water from distant wells.   Lack of water is even more critical during the Covid-19 pandemic, when tribal communities are being impacted at one of the highest rates in the nation.  The Water Resources Action Project  (WRAP) and   The Forgotten People (a grassroots organization based in the Navajo Nation in Arizona) have created a unique partnership to address this pressing need.  This project will focus on the emergency water needs of  families in several Dine’ and Hopi communities in Arizona.  

$4000 will buy:

Two-month supply of hand-sanitizer for ten families of 4 (@$10).

Water Hauler with Truck-mounted, 275 Gallon Water Container

Home Hand-Washing Station

Many water sources  are contaminated from mines and natural sources.  Because of long travel distances on rough roads to regulated wells, community members often use unregulated wells nearest to their homes.  Some families aren’t aware of the dangers.  Even when the well water is safe, the containers used to transport it or to store the water at homes have often been contaminated themselves; water is also frequently contaminated when it is transferred from outside barrels into homes.    

The Forgotten People have identified these items as the highest priority for Covid-19 prevention.  This project will serve as a pilot project that can be expanded to serve other tribal communities facing emergency water needs.   We intend to provide as many of these items as possible by mid-July. 

In addition to fundraising,  cross-cultural student groups will work together to develop longer-term solutions to water issues for the two communities, such as water harvesting and water testing.

Funds raised over $2600 will be used for the following: 

Hand sanitizer supply for 1 family for 3 months – $15
Additional hand washing stations – $40  
Water testing for one home (Arsenic, E-coli, Uranium)-$50
2- bucket home, water ceramic filter system – $50
275 gallon tank for home water storage – $150

More information about the crisis and how schools in Israel are involved in this WRAP project can be found on the Navajo (Dine)/Hopi/Israel Water Connection project webpage.