An article published on May 30, 2014 in the Washington Post, titled “Israel solves water woes with desalination,” quoted Gidon Bromberg, the Israeli director of Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME). FoEME and WRAP have partnered on water projects in the Middle East since WRAP was founded.
To read the article, visit http://wapo.st/1oSYjCS.
WRAP is pleased to support the important work of Wine to Water, a non-profit organization focused on providing clean water to people in need around the world. Come join WRAP members and other individuals working on our shared goal of water stewardship at a free rooftop happy hour to honor the efforts of Wine to Water. The event will take place on Friday, July 25th in Washington, DC. See the invitation for more details on the event and how to RSVP. Hope to see you there!
For more information, visit http://bit.ly/1jivzj6
A new study, entitled Water and Post-Conflict Peacebuilding was released at the end of March by the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the University of Tokyo, McGill University, and Duke University. The study investigates countries affected by major conflict between 1990 and 2013 and finds that cooperation over water management is critical for peace and development and that early intervention in the water sector can help societies set the foundation for more equitable and sustainable water use and in turn support better economic recovery.
Water and Post-Conflict Peacebuilding is the fourth book in a six-volume series that addresses natural resource management for post-conflict peacebuilding around the world. It includes 19 case studies on water management in 28 conflict-affected countries and territories including some in the Middle East.
To read ELI’s press release, visit http://bit.ly/1jeapmD.
The book may be ordered through this link or through www.amazon.com.
WRAP is excited to announce that it has partnered with AmazonSmile. Now you can support WRAP through your everyday purchases on Amazon. To do so, simply click “get started” below!
March 31, 2014, Washington, DC
WRAP is pleased to announce that Brent Fewell, Partner, Environmental and Natural Resources Practice at Troutman Sanders LLP, will be joining the Water Resources Action Project (WRAP) as the newest member to its Board of Directors.
Prior to joining Troutman Sanders, Mr. Fewell was a Senior Vice President for Environmental Health and Safety at United Water, a subsidiary of Suez Environnement, an international waste and water company. Prior to his time in private industry, he was the Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of policies and regulations affecting the nation’s drinking water and clean water programs.
“Brent’s extensive knowledge and experience with water resources management and development are welcomed assets to WRAP’s leadership,” says Brendan McGinnis, WRAP’s Executive Director. “He has made a successful career addressing our nation’s most pressing and complex water and waste issues. He is a true champion of environmental stewardship and conservation. We are excited to have him join WRAP and apply those interests in a region of the world that is in dire need of practical solutions.”
“Water is one of those fundamental things in life with the capacity to either divide or connect communities and people,” says Brent Fewell. “I’m very honored to be part of WRAP’s strong and enduring commitment and collaborative efforts to provide life-sustaining water resources to communities in need and connect people for a more sustainable future.”
Mr. Fewell’s background with water issues in government and private industry, both domestically and internationally, will complement the Board’s commitment to improve water quality and availability for underserved populations in the Middle East.
For Mr. Fewell’s biography, click here. For additional information on WRAP, visit www.wrapdc.org.
Congratulations to Rana Khalaf, Principal, Al Afaq School, for receiving this year’s education prize from the mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat.
The Al Afaq School for Special Education, located in East Jerusalem, is the site of WRAP’s second rain harvesting system and environmental education project. WRAP’s rain barrel system paired with the hard work of educators like Rana have catalyzed a host of related projects including a greenhouse, compost site, and outdoor covered classroom, all created with reusable materials. These efforts have fostered a culture of sustainability at the school and in the surrounding community.
WRAP is grateful to have dedicated partners like Rana and congratulates her on this special accomplishment.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) recently released the Water and Conflict Toolkit as part of the Agency’s current focus on water and development strategy. The toolkit explores the relationship between water, conflict, and cooperation, highlighting lessons learned from relevant development and peace-building programs, and discussing options for development programming. The document presents and raises awareness about the linkages between water resource management and conflict as well as opportunities for peace-building that takes into account these linkages.
To view the toolkit, visit http://1.usa.gov/Mybsjr
A recent Op-Ed by Thomas Friedman discusses sources of environmental tension between Israel and Palestine. Published February 9, 2014 in the New York Times, the article features WRAP’s partner organization, Friends of the Earth Middle East.
To read the full article, visit http://nyti.ms/1fcxFLj
WRAP is pleased to announce a new campaign recently launched to create a safe learning garden for the students at the Battir Girls School in the West Bank. The campaign aims to raise the funds to secure and green the courtyard that surrounds the rainwater cistern WRAP installed last year in order to make it a safe and inviting space for the students of Battir.
For more details about the campaign and to make a contribution, please click the image at left or visit http://igg.me/at/safe-garden-battir/x/6089968.
