Avnet Cares recently supported the deployment of an AquaBlock Emergency Water System to Morocco, a country rattled by a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake in September 2023 that claimed almost 3,000 lives. The disaster had a profound impact on people, many of whom are still struggling after the deadly event. Access to clean water remains a significant concern in the makeshift settlements that house thousands of families.
The Avnet Cares grant to Planet Water Foundation underwrote the deployment of one water system. Planet Water is a nonprofit organization focused on bringing clean water to the world's most disadvantaged communities through the installation of community-based water filtration and sanitation systems and the deployment of hygiene education programs.
The AquaBlock Emergency Water System is a turn-key emergency water supply system that can provide clean, safe drinking water for up to 9,500 people per day. The system has a four-stage water purification process for the provision of clean, safe drinking water from surface and groundwater and contains three onboard pumping solutions, selectable with the turn of a valve, for any power condition – be it petrol, electric, or manual (treadle). Each AquaBlock produces up to 1,500 liters of clean safe drinking water per hour.
There were six AquaBlock Emergency Water Systems airlifted to the disaster zone in Morocco. The systems are being deployed in evacuation camps in the foothills of the High Atlas mountains where 90% of the houses were destroyed.