Xylem Watermark, the company’s corporate citizenship and social investment program, has authorized US$100 000 from its emergency response fund to support Mercy Corps with on-the-ground efforts in and around Cebu.
The partners are working rapidly to assess damages, mobilise response teams, source basic needs such as food and other essential items, and will work to provide water and sanitation. Xylem is also double matching all employee donations to Mercy Corps, up to US$50 000, to support Philippines relief efforts.
Xylem Watermark and Planet Water Foundation will also construct two AquaTowers - gravity-fed water filtration systems - in the Tacloban region.
“With some of Planet Water’s existing installations providing safe water within evacuation centres, the additional AquaTowers funded by Xylem will further support the critical need for safe drinking water benefiting thousands of displaced residents,” said Nick Hill, executive chairman of Planet Water Foundation.