Putting water resources and communities on the map

A season of presentations and panel discussions will be taking place from December to recognise the importance of integrated water resource management at field and policy level.

First event - Complex risk: the future of water resource and land management
(see below for more details)

The Appropriate Development Panel (ADP) for the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE), in collaboration with Oxfam and WaterAid, are hosting the events to highlight current and future risk to regional and local water resources in the most vulnerable environments.

The discussions will draw attention to the multiple risks to water resources and land, beyond climate change projections and will share information on how WASH agencies can operationalise water resource and land management and implement an innovative IWRM approach. The need to link water and land policy decisions to field realities will also be explored.

The discussions can be follow online and there will be a chance to ask the panels questions from anywhere in the world. The ADP also invites expressions of interest from organisations interested in sponsoring individual events. For further information or to register contact Daphne Guthrie.

Visit the Institute of Civil Engineers website for updated event details

Programme and speakers:

Complex risk: the future of water resource and land management
Tuesday 15 December 2009, 18:30
The sustainable management of water and land resources is fundamental in the delivery of health services and food security. This discussion will set the scene highlighting the need to operationalise water resource and land management.Speakers: Professor Richard Carter (WaterAid) and Roger Calow (Overseas Development Institute)

Recognising and respecting community-led adaptation
March 2010
Community Water Resource Management should form an integral component of broader IWRM initiatives, yet relief practitioners frequently overlook traditional approaches for managing water and land resources.Speakers: Dr Paul Trawick (Cranfield University) and Dr Nick Brooks (Tyndall Research Centre)

Practical Integrated Water Resource Management
June 2010
To become effective IWRM needs to be broken down into integral components, which encourage decentralisation and accountability towards end water users.Speakers: St John Day (Oxfam GB) and Oliver Jones (WaterAid Nepal)

Moving from practice to policy: the role of communities in effecting change
September 2010
To manage water resources effectively requires water and land policies that reflect operational reality rather than remaining aspirational. Mutual respect must exist between end water users and policy makers.Speakers: Dr Bruce Lankford (University East Anglia) and Dr Julie Trottier (University of Montpelier)

Young WaterAid supporter to receive Child of Courage Award

Nine-year-old WaterAid supporter Hemi Poulton, from Bermondsey, South London, will be honoured at the Woman's Own Children of Courage Awards 2009 on Wednesday 9 December.

There are eight awards and nine winners* from all over the UK. Every child has either shown courage in the face of hardship or performed a selfless act.

Nine-year-old Hemi will receive the Young Fundraiser award for her long-standing commitment to raising funds for WaterAid.

When Hemi first heard about WaterAid from a family friend who works in the charity’s Asia office it made a huge impression on her. Hemi felt it was unfair that some children in the world are forced to drink dirty water and walk miles just to collect it, or that some schools don't have any toilets. On her fifth birthday, she surprised her parents by coming up with the idea to ask her friends for donations rather than presents.

Her mum Miriam says: "She did this on her sixth birthday, too, telling these people off who insisted on bringing her a gift as well as making a donation."

By forgoing birthday presents for donations, Hemi has raised over £200 each year for the charity. On the face of it may not sound like much, but just £15 can enable one person to access safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation in the countries WaterAid works.

On her eighth birthday, as well as giving up birthday gifts, Hemi organised a kids sponsored cycle ride at a park near her home in South London. Together with her school friends a further £1,500 was raised for WaterAid. This is enough to provide several schools with toilet blocks – something most children her age wouldn't even know were needed.

WaterAid nominated Hemi for the award. WaterAid's Community Fundraising Manager Cathy Whiteman said:

"Hemi is only nine years old yet she has supported WaterAid for over three years, making her one of our youngest and most loyal supporters, and a true inspiration to others.

"We are delighted that Hemi has been recognised by the Woman's Own Children of Courage awards for the wonderful support she has shown to WaterAid and the impact this has had on the lives of some of the world’s poorest people. Well done Hemi!"

The youngsters, aged between five and fifteen, will receive their awards in front of a star-studded congregation at Westminster Abbey, including celebrities from Strictly Come Dancing, The X-factor and some of Britain's favourite pop, soap and television stars. Following the ceremony, the winners will be guests of honour at a special reception at the House of Lords. Before arriving at Westminster Abbey, the winners will pay a visit to Number 10 Downing Street.

This year's nine winners were unveiled in the Woman's Own Christmas bumper issue which went on sale yesterday.

Hemi is now planning another sponsored cycle ride in South London in June 2010. If you would like to get involved email: bikeforwater@yahoo.co.uk or to make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/bikeforwater

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*There are nine winners being honoured in eight different categories: Outstanding Bravery, Sheer Courage, Young Fundraiser, Young Carer, A True Inspiration, Local Hero, Unsung Hero and Outstanding Achievement.

For more information please contact brendamcilwraith@wateraid.org or call 020 7793 2245

Win tickets to see Amadou and Mariam in London

Our friends Amadou & Mariam play live on Thu 3 Dec at the Forum in Kentish Town, London. We have one pair of tickets for the gig, plus CDs, stickers and badges to win. To enter the competition, just follow these simple steps:

1: If you are not already, please become a fan of WaterAid on Facebook. You must be on Facebook and be a fan of WaterAid to enter this competition.

2: Answer the following question, then complete the tie-breaker (in 20 words or less), as a comment on Facebook:

Question: What country are Amadou & Mariam from? (clue: WaterAid also works in this country)

Tie-breaker: I would tell all my friends on Facebook to become a fan of WaterAid because...

3: Check your Facebook inbox on Monday afternoon to see if you are a winner!


The prizes are:

Main prize: 1 pair of tickets to the gig in London on 3 Dec and 2 CDs (does not include drinks, travel, or accommodation)

Second prize: 2 CDs and a poster

Runner up prizes: badges and stickers

If you are unable to attend the gig but would still like to enter the competition please mark your entry as "CD prize only".

The competition closes at noon GMT on Monday 30 Nov and the winners will be notified via a message in Facebook on Monday afternoon.

The judge's decision is final. A full list of winners will be posted on our website www.wateraid.org/amadou on Friday 4 Dec.


Watch out for an exclusive interview with Amadour & Mariam by WaterAid's chief exec, Barbara Frost, in the Spring/Summer edition of Oasis (www.wateraid.org/oasis), due March 2010.

Descent into hell: Hyde Park Public Toilets given a startling makeover for World Toilet Day

Plus Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, Ewan McGregor & Ricky Groves reveal their loos to the British public in support of WaterAid.

One of London’s most popular public toilets will today be transformed beyond all recognition today, World Toilet Day, to resemble some of the most hellish loos on earth.

Life without a proper toilet is a reality for 2.5 billion people in the developing world and, for one morning only, members of the public are being invited to see for themselves the kind of squalid environment that billions across Africa and Asia live with every day.

To raise awareness of the global sanitation crisis, international charity WaterAid and award-winning ad director Kit Lynch-Robinson are creating a chilling scene in the Hyde Park Corner men’s toilets – complete with rubbish dump, maggots, rusted pipes, a stagnant stream and a unique toilet scent, Eau de Toilet.

Barbara Frost, Chief Executive of WaterAid said:
“Here in the UK we tend to take our loos for granted – but imagine not having one at all. A lack of toilets not only kills 4,000 children every day in the developing world, but keeps kids out of school, puts a massive strain on health systems and hampers economic prosperity. Today we’re asking the public to spend just one moment experiencing what it might be like not to have a loo.”

Members of the public will be able to experience the paradox between the above-ground world of London’s beautiful Hyde Park and the loos below, as two very different worlds are brought together.

The transformation is taking place to support WaterAid’s ‘Loo’ve Been Framed’ campaign which has attracted support from some of the UK’s best-loved celebrities.

High profile supporters Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, Ewan McGregor and former Eastenders and current Strictly Come Dancing star Ricky Groves have all taken a picture of their most private place – their toilet – to highlight the campaign which calls on UK politicians to prioritise water and sanitation in the world’s poorest countries.

Stephen Fry said:“No one likes to talk about loos, but for forty percent of the world it’s a serious matter. With lack of toilets being responsible for thousands of child deaths everyday, we need to start talking about this sticky subject. I know I couldn’t go without my loo - could you?”
To find out more about Loo’ve Been Framed and to add your support to the campaign, visit www.wateraid.org/wtd

WaterAid will also officially launch a new iPhone application today, allowing iPhone users in the UK to locate their nearest public toilet, while reminding them how lucky they are to have use of a clean and safe toilet. For more information go to www.wateraid.org/toiletfinder.

Ends

For more information please contact: chloeirvine@wateraid.org or call +44(0)20 7793 4909 or 075 1494 1577.

Follow the event live as it happens on the morning of 19 November 2009 on Twitter: www.twitter.com/wateraid

HYDE PARK EVENT: WHERE
Hyde Park Corner, Men’s Toilets

WHEN
Thursday 19 November 2009
09-30 – 11am The toilets will be open to the media and public

NOTES TO EDITOR:

• Video footage available on request.
• 19 November is World Toilet Day - a day to celebrate the humble, yet vitally important, toilet and to raise awareness of the global sanitation crisis.
• 2.5 billion people in the world (that’s 40% of the world’s population) don’t have a safe place to go to the toilet
• 4,000 children die every day and at any one time half of all hospital beds in the developing world are filled with people suffering from water and sanitation related diseases. 443 million school days are missed due to diarrhoea

Historically political leaders have not given water and sanitation high priority. This global sanitation crisis could be averted if Gordon Brown and other world leaders prioritise toilets – especially leading up to the first ever high-level meeting on water and sanitation in April.

Welcome to how the other half of the world lives

One of London's most popular public toilets will be transformed beyond all recognition on Thursday 19 November, World Toilet Day, to resemble some of the most hellish loos on earth.

Life without a proper toilet is a reality for 2.5 billion people in the developing world. For one morning only, members of the public are being invited to see for themselves the kind of squalid toilet environment that billions across Africa and Asia have to live with every day.

To raise awareness of the global sanitation crisis, WaterAid and award-winning ad director Kit Lynch-Robinson are creating a chilling scene in the Hyde Park Corner men's toilets – complete with rubbish dump, maggots, rusted pipes, a stagnant stream and a unique toilet scent, Eau de Toilet.

Members of the public will be able to experience the paradox between the above-ground world of London’s beautiful Hyde Park and the loos below, as two very different worlds are brought together.
The toilets will be open between 9.30 and 11am and are located near Albert Gate and Queen Elizabeth Gates (nearest tube: Hyde Park Corner).

Contact chloeirvine@wateraid.org for more information or visit the WaterAid website.

Launch of new iPhone app brings relief

To mark World Toilet Day, on Thursday 19 November, WaterAid today announced the launch of its new ToiletFinder UK App for iPhone users, available from the App Store.

WaterAid's free app for iPhone uses location-based features to find the nearest public toilet to the user, while reminding them how lucky they are to have use of a clean and safe toilet.

"It may be difficult to find a public toilet from time to time here in the UK, but for over 2.5 billion people in the world, it's impossible – there simply isn't one," said WaterAid's Amy Faulkner. "With millions of iPhone users out there the potential reach of this app is huge and could be ground-breaking in terms of raising WaterAid's profile and helping people."

The ToiletFinder UK App lets users find out more about WaterAid and the work it does to bring life-saving water and toilets to the world's poorest people. Globally, 2.5 billion people - that's 40% of the world's population - have nowhere safe to go to the toilet. This crisis means that 4,000 children die every single day from diseases caused by poor water and sanitation.

"For us, trying to find a loo is an inconvenience, but for someone living in the developing world, not having a toilet can be a matter of life or death. We hope that by using the ToiletFinder UK App the British public will think about how lucky they are to have a loo," added Faulkner.
ToiletFinder UK is a UGC (User Generated Content) app, meaning that the toilet database is created by the public who can indicate new or missing toilets using their iPhone and their GPS coordinates. It works by locating the nearest public toilet/bathroom to users on a map or in a list.

The ToiletFinder UK App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone or at www.itunes.com/appstore/ (you will need to have iTunes downloaded first).

After using the app, users will have the option of visiting the WaterAid website to find out more about the global sanitation crisis, and make a donation to support the charity's work to ensure access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation for all.

Media contact: For visuals, spokespeople and further information please contact Brenda McIlwraith at mailto:atbrendamcilwraith@wateraid.org or on 020 7793 2245.

For more information about ToiletFinder please go to http://www.wateraid.org/toiletfinder

WaterAid at Africa Water Week: Day five

Phew, what a week! Yesterday culminated in the prestigious AfricaSan Awards where WaterAid partner The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Ethiopia Movement was announced the winner of the NGO/Civil Society Award.

The award honours individuals and institutions that have supported and mobilised communities to improve their sanitation and hygiene conditions. WaterAid was one of the founding members of the Movement in 2004 and continues to play a significant role in its work, dedicating significant time and resources to help make it such a success so we were thrilled to see our partner honoured in this way.

The WASH Ethiopia Movement has done some great work to engage people by organising very successful events around Global Handwashing Day, World Water Day and the first ever Ethiopia Sanitation and Hygiene Festival. The network has also been successful in influencing the Ethiopian government, particularly on the need to integrate education, health and water policies and services.

Elsewhere, WaterAid's Senior Advocacy and Research Manager in Madagascar, Lovy Rasolofomanana, took part in a debate between water and sanitation experts and African media on some of the key issues raised during the course of the week including financing the sector and climate change.

When the discussion turned to financing, he asked: "Do we have a credible plan for water and sanitation at country level? Even if we get the money, do we have the capacity? We need to think about governance at a local level as well as fiscal decentralisation." He also talked about the strong cultural barriers surrounding sanitation that exist in Madagascar where for example it's considered taboo for a brother and sister to share the same latrine. According to Serena O'Sullivan, campaigns and communications officer for End Water Poverty: "It's been inspiring to see so much progress on the Global Framework for Action this week with new donors and country governments getting involved. There's also been a strong civil society presence, with some excellent examples of strategic advocacy being carried out across Africa. And a lot of interest in the World's Longest Toilet Queue which is taking place on World Water Day next March."

Summing up the week, WaterAid's director of policy and campaigns Margaret Batty said: "The Global Framework for Action on water and sanitation has made unbelievable progress this week. There are 18 African countries interested in signing up so there's now a huge amount of follow-up work to be done with them in the run up to the high level meeting on water and sanitation in America next April."