Why?
The Dutch Surge Support (DSS) sends Dutch water and sanitation experts to water-related disasters around the world to contribute to better international response and increased knowledge management in water-related disasters. A growing number of countries face severe water related issues caused by climate change, enveronmental degradation causing water stress, water scarcity and pollution. This has an impact on drinking water, food supplies, infrastucture and economic development, and on vulnerable ecosystems and the stability of societies. Safe drinking water is one of the most urgent needs in emergency situations and lack of clean water and sanitation leads to disease and child mortality and increase of the workload of vulnerability of women and girls in developing countries. Water scarcity is a potential source of conflict, while floods often cause serious damage and claim many victims. The facility shall draw upon expertise available in the Netherlands. It will also contribute to raise interest among Netherlands water sector partners. Experts will be deployed aroud the world in emergency situations.
What?
This project aims to create a Dutch facility for surge support related to water to support humanitian organisations working in water related emergency response by identification and secondment of specialist staff that can be deployed during humanitarian response to crisis. The facility will cover emergency water related fields when appropiate. Besides WASH and water management there will also be a particular focus on thos capacity gaps identified within the United Nations clusters, such as expertise in urban WASH, (complex) sanitation or hydrogeology.
Who?
The DSS is an initiative started by the Dutch government, the Netherlands Red Cross, and the Dutch water sector.