When you take part in Safe Water September, you are helping give safe water to people who desperately need it in Vanuatu and Zimbabwe. All money raised from Safe Water September will be distributed through COCOA to our partner organisations. In Zimbabwe, we partner with Showers of Blessings and in Vanuatu, we partner with the Churches of Christ Conference Vanuatu.

Since the last Safe Water September challenge, Tropical Cyclone Harold struck Vanuatu. With wind speeds peaking at over 300km per hour, it was one of the strongest storms ever recorded. Many communities were devastated, including ones that had only started to rebuild after relocating to Santo from Ambae. The flow of emergency aid in the wake of Cyclone Harold has been curtailed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, so there is still a great need for projects that will transform communities. Therefore, this year Safe Water September will be supporting communities in Vanuatu to rebuild critical infrastructure. This includes water tanks necessary for people to be able to store clean water and guttering on buildings and changes to roofing material, essential for collecting rainwater.

In Zimbabwe, many people still don’t have access to safe, clean water close to home. But even those who do, share their boreholes with many other people. In the face of COVID-19 this sharing is now a greater risk. Many people, especially those living in rural areas, are also facing food shortages. The economy is collapsing and the cost of living is rising rapidly. Many people are still walking long distances to access water – and it might not even be safe to drink. In areas suffering water shortages, there have been instances of contaminated water causing sickness, and even death. Without a source of clean water, proper hand-washing and sanitation is not possible, making it hard to avoid transmission of COVID-19. Safe Water September is continuing to support Showers of Blessings in their work installing boreholes in communities without access to safe water. 

When you participate in the Safe Water September challenge, donate, or even spread the word, you are helping to make a difference in the lives and communities of people living in Zimbabwe and Vanuatu. 

'Vanuatu Partnership Community Project – Churches of Christ Conference in Vanuatu (CCCV)' is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

'Showers of Blessing Trust (OSBT)' is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).