Water purification powder to be sent to Myanmar this weekend
By Hasnita Majid, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 16 May 2008 1801 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Twenty million litres of safe drinking water will be made available to victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.

Victims in the Irrawady delta will receive water purification and disinfectant powder, to be sent by World Vision Singapore and Procter & Gamble this weekend.

The water purification powder, approved by the World Health Organisation and the US Environmental Protection Agency, has been used in other disaster areas in Indonesia and Pakistan.

One sachet can clean ten litres of contaminated water, making it safe for drinking.

Once poured into contaminated water, the powder - called "PUR" - causes dirt to clump together, and kills bacteria and viruses. But before the water can be consumed, it needs to be filtered to screen out the dirt.

Victoria Great, associate director of external relations at Procter & Gamble Asia, said: "We know that having clean, safe drinking water is one of the most critical needs in an emergency situation. The product basically works like a 'dirt magnet', and in a matter of 30 minutes... (the water) will become clear and clean, and safe for drinking."

World Vision Singapore said it will make sure these water purification supplies get to the intended victims in Myanmar.

James Quek, executive director of World Vision Singapore, said: "World Vision has an agreement with the government - in fact two agreements - and these two agreements give them (World Vision Myanmar staff) permission to receive humanitarian aid as well as to distribute them on the ground."

"We are treated like local NGO (non-governmental organisation) because of our long history there and because most of our staff at World Vision Myanmar are local nationals," he added.

The effort brings Procter & Gamble's contribution to cyclone victims in Myanmar to US$100,000.

SilkAir will be transporting the sachets to the disaster-hit country at no cost. - CNA/ac