Emergency Water and Sanitation (EWAS)

The 1st phase of EWAS
2006-2008

Served 1.6+ million Palestinians across the West Bank and Gaza.

Created 45,000+ days of work in rural and remote communities where jobs are scarce.

Connected 900,000+ people to a clean and regular public water source, saving families money normally spent on finding private sources of water.

Brought 700,000+ people better sanitation services.

Installed 177 rainwater cisterns.

Signs like this are all over the West Bank

EWAS is a $50 million USAID grant bringing major water and infrastructure to the West Bank and Gaza.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has made ANERA responsible for implementing the Emergency Water and Sanitation and Other Infrastructure Program in the West Bank and Gaza. The $50 million program will span five years - until 2013. USAID subsequently added another $10 million to the grant.

This second phase of EWAS started in October 2008.

EWAS and ANERA

Through EWAS, ANERA is providing emergency relief in the water and sanitation sectors as well as addressing other infrastructure needs in Palestinian communities. ANERA is rehabilitating, expanding and upgrading water and sewage systems and delivering potable water to communities in need. This includes installation of new pipes to carry potable water or sewage, as well as repair of water and sewer line breaks and small pumping systems.

“This program gives us the resources to respond quickly to emergency and humanitarian needs, create more jobs and put more families at ease about water and sanitation.” says ANERA’s President Bill Corcoran. “It is also a heartening endorsement by the U.S. Government of both the professionalism and skills of ANERA’s staff in the Palestinian Territories and our diligent stewardship of money, ensuring that it is spent carefully.”

The program targets the construction of infrastructure that promotes functioning health systems, improved human capacity, economic recovery and growth, and other necessary infrastructure to include the purchase, supply and installation of required commodities.

From 2008-2013 , ANERA will:

  • Increase access to new and/or improved potable water supplies - helping more than 70 Palestinian communities.

  • Improve sanitation systems in over 30 Palestinian communities.

  • Construct and/or rehabilitate 30 education, health, and other public-access facilities.