In March 2014, heavy rain caused the Paraná and Paraguay rivers in Paraguay to overflow, affecting 230,000 people. In response, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated US$2.2 million to help the victims of the flood.

The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) received $715,000 from CERF to restore clean water and sanitation services for 5,730 families in two departments of Paraguay affected by the floods.

"PAHO/WHO is providing support to the government in its humanitarian response to the emergency so that the affected families can regain access to clean water and adequate sanitation that are needed to prevent water-borne diseases, as well as in the restoration of health services affected by the floods," noted Carlos Castillo Solorzano, PAHO/WHO's Representative in Paraguay.

Clean water project

The project will consist in installing water connections and sanitation services, including latrines designed by community members, local authorities and civil society organizations in the area.

Humanitarian partners will provide hygiene kits, and promote hygiene, self-care and disease prevention. The project will rehabilitate water treatment plants, provide new plants for water purification, and restore rainwater collection systems and sanitary facilities used by schools and health centres.