Humanitarian Access Archives - The Zain Jaffer Foundation

Water Wells in Africa

Aki Quiapon — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 19:02:27 +0000

The Zain Jaffer Foundation is supporting the Tanzanian non-profit WIPAHS in their efforts to ensure access to potable water for an area of the world where unclean water and poor sanitation are among the largest threats to humankind. The availability of safe drinking water is one of humanity’s biggest problems, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made the need more dire.

Tanzania is one of Africa’s largest countries, and the scarcity of clean drinking water has been a consistent reality for one in every six people. Women and children are particularly burdened, having to journey to natural streams that could be 10km away and lug back heavy containers of 25+ litres. This is a heavy burden and takes time away from school, the economy, and family.

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Water Filters for Barangay Laiban

Aki Quiapon — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 19:01:27 +0000

The Zain Jaffer Foundation piloted its partnership with W4W Philippines in March of 2024. Its beneficiary, Barangay Laiban, is a remote community in the province of Rizal.

Barangay Laiban is home to hundreds of families. For many of its indigenous residents, gathering water from riversides and springs has been a cultural practice. They rely on upland springs as a primary water source. During the rainy season, this becomes a challenge as water becomes turbid, making it difficult to access clean and potable water, which often leads to health problems such as diarrhea.

Through this pilot project, the Foundation provided water filters for 245 households, ensuring better health and well-being for the community.

The project was featured by GMA Network, a prominent broadcasting organization in the Philippines, in a documentary titled Women and Water: Pasan ang Tubig (Carrying Water). The documentary highlights the disproportionate effects of water inaccessibility on women.

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Clean Water Access in Samar

Mark Breneman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 18:59:34 +0000

Barangay Mabuhay, a rural community in Marabut, Samar, relies on a mountain spring for water, which often becomes scarce or contaminated during dry spells and typhoons. In September 2024, with support from the Zain Jaffer Foundation and Waves for Water Philippines, over 1,000 residents gained access to clean water through the distribution of 58 gravity-fed filters for 350 households. Each filter, shared by six families, purifies over a million gallons without electricity and lasts for years. Local leaders were trained to maintain the system, ensuring sustainability. Additionally, handwashing stations were installed at the local elementary school to promote hygiene.

This initiative addresses health risks such as diarrhea and reduces the time spent collecting water, allowing residents more time for education and livelihood. The project emphasizes community ownership and follows the foundation’s strategy of long-term, grassroots solutions, previously piloted in Barangay Laiban, Rizal. Zain Jaffer highlighted the goal of improving health, peace of mind, and self-reliance in communities through sustainable solutions.

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