Most of us may take clean water for granted because it has always been there. Turn on the tap or open a bottle, and there it is. Something that we don’t often realize is that there is a global water crisis happening in most countries around the world. More than 800 million people worldwide lack access to clean water. In addition, more than two billion don’t have access to the improved sanitation that clean water can provide.
The water crisis is a health crisis. Nearly one million people die each year from water-, sanitation- and hygiene-related diseases, which could be reduced with access to safe water or sanitation. Every two minutes a child dies from a water-related disease. It’s a tragedy that contributes to more than 800,000 deaths of children under five each year worldwide, and one that United VARs – Answerthink’s global SAP solution partnership – strives to remedy.
United VARs executives voted to support Project: WASH (Water, Sanitary Facilities, and Hygiene training), an organization that builds clean water systems for schools in Cambodia – one of the countries most impacted by lack of clean water according to water.org. Detlef Mehlmann, managing director at United VARs, witnessed the dire situation in Cambodia firsthand when visiting the country with a friend two years ago.
“The schools face disastrous hygienic conditions,” he said. “There is no drinking water. No toilets. No chance to even wash hands.” In Cambodia, Mehlmann discovered one school that received a water collection and filtration system through about €20,000 in donations, making a huge impact for the students and faculty there. He brought it up to United VARs leadership, and they agreed to support fundraising to help additional schools. As part of the WASH campaign, each United VARs member will contribute 0.1% of all revenue reported during the second quarter. SAP has also pledged to contribute €20,000 to the cause.
The donations will fund a new rainwater collection system with 4,000-liter tanks; the installation of bathrooms, latrines, handwashing stations, and improved testing; and training for students, teachers, and school administrators on how to use the system.
“I’m trying to be conservative,” Mehlmann said. “It’s a bit of a challenge. We’re working with SAP to help spread the word. I’m thankful for the support we’ve received so far.”
“It’s important to give back to society, and we look forward to being able to bring freshwater systems to the children in Northern Cambodia that so desperately need it.”
According to Adaire Fox-Martin, member of the executive board of SAP SE, corporate social responsibility is a strategic focus for SAP and its ecosystem of channel partners in the year ahead.
“I’m thrilled that United VARs is so actively committed to this very worthwhile initiative,” Fox-Martin added. “We can all create a positive social impact in communities all around the world, and it’s our mission to ensure a sustainable future for society, to help the world run better and improve people’s lives.”
United VARs (value-added resellers) is a global network of leading SAP partners around the world who share two key characteristics: excellent industry-specific SAP knowledge and extensive SAP experience. United VARs was established in 2006 by All for One Steeb AG and Seidor S.A., Barcelona, with six SAP resellers in 10 countries. Today, it consists of 50 market-leading VARs operating in over 90 countries, serving as a powerful one-stop provider for the SAP activities of its global clients.
As a member of United VARs, Answerthink® is proud to complement SAP’s efforts and contribute to improving people’s lives and making the world a better place.
For more information on the Project: WASH campaign, visit: https://www.united-vars.com/en/company/project-wash.
