ITT Partners with Mercy Corps to Provide Disaster Relief
ITT Corp. on Oct. 20 announced a strategic partnership with Mercy Corps as part of its philanthropy program, ITT Watermark. The partnership includes a three-year, $1 million commitment to help provide safe water during emergencies created by natural catastrophes such as floods, droughts, and earthquakes.
When natural disaster strikes, access to safe and potable water is often the most critical need. ITT, a global leader in the transport and treatment of water, will support Mercy Corps' relief and recovery efforts, which include the provision of dewatering and water purification equipment. In addition, the company will aid Mercy Corps' on-the-ground staff with rebuilding and recovery of water and sanitation infrastructure long after disaster strikes. Mercy Corps, a global relief and development agency, collaborates with the United Nations to implement water and sanitation solutions during worldwide disasters.
"Since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, there has been an increasing number of devastating natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, the 2007 floods in Tabasco, Mexico, as well as the recent China earthquake and Myanmar cyclone. ITT has utilized its strength and expertise in fluid technology in each of these situations to meet the water needs of affected communities," said Steve Loranger, chair, president, and chief executive officer, ITT.
The ITT Watermark initiative has an Emergency Response Committee responsible for the coordinated deployment of company resources directly to disaster sites during water-related emergencies. The committee will work with Mercy Corps during the balance of this year to develop a plan for reducing risks and implementing turn-key emergency response protocol.
"With ITT as a partner, we will have the opportunity to tap into their expertise and resources to respond quicker and deliver real-time impact on the ground," said Nancy Lindborg, president of Mercy Corps. "Our priority is to help families rebuild their lives after a disaster and ITT shares our goal to implement solutions in a sustainable way that builds local capacity."