Update on EWB Norway's Humanitarian Project in Gaza

A month ago, we shared information about Engineers Without Borders Norway/Ingeniører Uten Grenser’s (IUG) humanitarian project in Gaza. The project aims to address the devastating impacts on the civilian population caused by the ongoing conflict, focusing on providing essential resources like water, electricity, and healthcare.

We would like to keep you informed about their progress and how their initiatives are making a real difference. Here are some recent updates from EWB Norway:

Recent Updates:

02/05/2024: Engineers Without Borders has joined the “Tech People for Peace in Gaza” campaign. Secretary General Marianne Nilsen Sturmair delivered a speech at a rally on Eidsvolls plass on 7 May. Many organisations attended this event. The initiative comes from tech industry employees advocating for more societal actors to use their voices.

29/04/2024: A programme is being developed to support young people who worked remotely before the conflict. By establishing a shared workspace with basic equipment, solar-powered electricity, and internet access, EWB Norway aims to help restore income sources for freelancers in Rafah.

26/04/2024: Solar panels installed in Rafah are functioning well and providing stable electricity to internally displaced people.

24/04/2024: At EWB Norway's annual General Assembly, it was announced that NITO is supporting the effort with a donation of 100,000 NOK!

"EngineerForGaza is about meeting basic needs like access to drinking water and electricity. Supporting engineering and technology for positive societal development is at the core of NITO's work. Through this initiative by Engineers Without Borders, we can contribute to water systems and solar panels that aid the severely affected population in Gaza. NITO supports the initiative and urges our network to join this concrete effort," said NITO President Trond Markussen.

19/04/2024: Important work to provide electricity in one of the many provisional refugee camps in Rafah has been completed. Watch the video of the installation of solar panels and electrical wiring for lights and phone charging through this link. It is impressive what is being achieved on the ground in Gaza under extremely difficult conditions with very limited access to resources. The funds we collect here in Norway enable us to make a difference together. Warm thanks for all support to #ingeniørdugnad for Gaza

18/04/2024: Feedback indicates that the rehabilitated well is working well and now provides drinking water to even more people as more internally displaced persons have returned to Northern Gaza.

15/04/2024: Great news! The Solar Energy Cluster donates their fees and encourages all participants in the Solar Energy Conference to support #EngineerForGaza.

08/04/2024: Approximately half of Gaza's population has been displaced to Rafah, an area already densely populated before the conflict. Emad, the director of Field Ready Türkiye, confirmed by phone today that the initiative to install solar panels and secure electricity for several refugees in Rafah has begun.

08/04/2024: Multiconsult donates 100,000 NOK to #EngineerForGaza and encourages everyone to contribute to this important work. Thank you very much! This means a lot for the concrete efforts we can make together to help people in desperate need of essential resources.

04/04/2024: We are in regular contact with our engineering colleagues, and depending on the availability of equipment, solar-powered water systems and electricity for other essential uses will be prioritised. Another goal of this specific effort is to ensure that around 500 people in a provisional refugee camp in Rafah have electricity in tents and shelters for light in the dark, as well as charging opportunities for mobile phones.

01/04/2024: The vital work of rehabilitating the well has been completed, and more than 500 families in Northern Gaza City now have access to clean water.

Please get in touch with EWB Norway if you have any questions about their project or would like to support it in some way. Follow the links below for more information >>>

Engineers Without Borders Sweden and Chile Partner to Provide Water Treatment Solutions in Valparaíso

Stockholm, Sweden – In an important international collaboration, Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE) has initiated a collaboration with Ingeniería Sin Fronteras Chile (ISF Chile) to initiate a wastewater treatment project for the vulnerable communities of Valparaíso, Chile. This partnership focuses on the development of new water treatment plants specifically designed for areas that lack official sewage and water regulation.

Caroline Edelstam, Secretary-General of Engineers Without Borders Sweden and Tucapel Jiménez Fuentes, Chile's ambassador to Sweden, AT Chile’s Embassy in Sweden.

"This project is important because it can lead to positive changes in people's daily lives. We look forward to the results of the pilot project on access to water and water security, and hope that the exchange of knowledge between our countries can show the way and be a driving force for future larger collaborations, with the goal of creating sustainable communities. We already have good relations between our countries, and I am sure that this form of knowledge exchange will further strengthen our ties," says Tucapel Jiménez Fuentes, Chile's ambassador to Sweden.

The project is set in Camp Parcela 11, located in the Forestal sector of Viña del Mar. This area, home to nearly 1,500 residents, is marked by geographical and infrastructural challenges that exacerbate its isolation and environmental issues. The primary concern addressed by this initiative is the effective management and treatment of greywater, with most homes currently relying on cesspools that pose significant risks of overflow and subsequent contamination with the risk of diseases spreading.

"Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, yet many communities are left behind in our global efforts to provide sustainable water solutions. This project represents a significant step towards changing that narrative in Valparaíso, where we can implement practical solutions and make a tangible difference," said Caroline Edelstam, Secretary-General of Engineers Without Borders Sweden.

By focusing on the diversion of grey- and rainwater to environmentally safer discharge points, the project aims to mitigate the environmental impact while enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Camp Parcela 11. The collaboration between EWB-SWE and ISF Chile exemplifies the power of international cooperation in addressing critical human needs through engineering solutions to achieve the global sustainability goals.

The project has been made possible through funding from the Ramboll Foundation.

For more information about this project and other initiatives by Engineers Without Borders Sweden, please contact Carin Balfe Arbman at the details provided above.

For press photos please follow this link

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0k8t13w2os31kde5t3qla/AKUi_c4PTmNsBZW8xqGhKlA?rlkey=buak1hltnvnl119sffaoehhe9&dl=0

About Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE)

Engineers Without Borders Sweden is committed to addressing global challenges through engineering. We work towards a sustainable future where engineering enables underprivileged communities to meet their basic human needs. EWB-SWE actively engages in projects that align with the Sustainable Development Goals, striving for long-term impact in communities around the world. www.ewb-swe.org

About Ingeniería Sin Fronteras Chile (ISF Chile)

Ingeniería Sin Fronteras Chile (ISF Chile) is a foundation established in 2017, focused on enhancing the social role of engineering to improve community living standards in vulnerable contexts. ISF Chile mobilizes engineering talent across diverse disciplines, collaborating on impactful projects with universities, companies, and local governments. The foundation is an active participant in the global Engineers Without Borders network. https://isf-chile.org/

WOW Foundations – a new collaborative organisation in our network

We are thrilled to announce a new collaboration between Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE) and the Women On Wednesday (WOW) Foundations, aimed at empowering immigrant women and international students with interests in the engineering field.

Through this collaboration, women from the WOW network who are interested in opportunities in engineering and STEM will be offered membership in EWB-SWE. This initiative will enable them to build valuable professional networks, gain experience in the non-profit sector, and access various resources including volunteer positions, mentorship programmes, and educational seminars.

Linda Törner, Founder of WOW Foundations

"Our experience in helping migrant women start working, shows that no matter the starting point, applying the same process and methodology will lead to a job. However, for women in engineering and STEM, we believe the opportunities are far larger than the connections we have made so far, and with this new partnership we can together broaden the perspectives, widen our network and amplify the opportunities for these women," says Linda Törner, founder of WOW Foundations.

Founded in 2012, the WOW Foundations began as a meeting space designed to foster connections between migrant women and local Swedish women. Over the years, it has evolved into a dynamic platform that supports professional and social inclusion across diverse backgrounds. By integrating strategic networking opportunities and engagement with local businesses and communities, WOW helps mitigate the challenges of long integration processes for migrant women.

Currently active in Halmstad, Borås, Helsingborg, Stockholm, and Karlstad, the WOW network brings together women from various fields. We look forward to enriching this collaboration and providing meaningful opportunities for those interested in making a difference in the world of engineering and technology.

Join us in welcoming the Women On Wednesday community to EWB-SWE and stay tuned for more updates on this exciting partnership!

Engineers Without Borders Sweden Welcomes Kadesjös as a New Supporting Partner

EWB-SWE is delighted to announce Kadesjös as our newest supporting partner. Kadesjös, is a Västerås-based engineering consultancy, specialised in construction and installation projects with a strong sustainability focus.

Caroline Edelstam, Secretary-General of Engineers Without Borders Sweden, expressed her enthusiasm about this collaboration: "We are very pleased that Kadesjös has chosen to support our work. They bring important engineering skills in the management of building and installation projects, with a strong sustainability focus. We look forward to working together."

Jonas Pettersson, CEO of Kadesjös, added, "This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainable development and our continuous efforts to minimize environmental impact while providing sustainable solutions."

Jonas Pettersson, CEO Kadesjös

Founded in 1945 in Västerås, Kadesjös has achieved a market-leading position in the Mälardalen region. Sustainability is a core aspect of their operations, encompassing ecological, economic, and social dimensions to reduce their own and others' environmental impact.

Why our corporate partners are so important

For Engineers Without Borders Sweden, our corporate partnerships are crucial in shaping a sustainable future, reflecting our joint commitment to using engineering as a driver for positive change. The support from our corporate partners is vital, enabling us to amplify our efforts and extend our impact in the communities we serve. We are enthusiastic about the possibilities our corporate partnerships offer and invite more corporations committed to meaningful change to join us.

EWB Norway initiates vital water project for Gaza

Engineers Without Borders Norway (EWB-Norway) has quickly mobilized a significant engineering effort to provide essential drinking water to the Gaza Strip. Utilizing its network of engineers and technical expertise spanning Norway, Turkey, and Gaza, the initiative has already yielded tangible results.

"With Gaza's infrastructure in ruins and the dire consequences for the civilian population lacking essentials like water, food, and medical care, it's deeply meaningful to contribute," says Marianne Nilsen Sturmair, Managing Director of EWB-Norway. "The rapid response and significant engagement from engineers and businesses here in Norway show that many of us feel compelled to act."

Rapid Mobilization Over Easter

Launched just before Easter, the engineering volunteer effort (#ingeniørdugnad for Gaza) saw immediate contributions from individuals, the Norwegian Technical Science Association (Tekna), and several smaller companies. In a short time, the fundraising campaign has already significantly impacted over 500 families in northern Gaza City. By Easter Monday, a well had been repaired and a solar-powered water pump installed near a school sheltering thousands.

Ongoing Efforts and Contributions

Multiconsult has donated NOK 100,000 to the #ingeniørdugnad for Gaza and encouraged its employees to contribute. "With all the incredible contributions, our network of engineers and technical professionals in Gaza and Turkey can achieve a lot. We are in regular contact with our engineering colleagues, and depending on the availability of equipment, priority will be given to solar-powered water systems and electricity for other critical uses," explains Sturmair.

About #ingeniørdugnad for Gaza

Donations are crucial and all funds collected go directly to the ground efforts in Gaza. EWB-Norway operates without a marketing budget for this campaign, relying on its members and supporters to spread the word within their networks.

For more information and to support this vital project, please visit EWB-Norway's homepage.

This article has been translated from Norwegian and is intended for the members and readers of Engineers Without Borders Sweden to encourage support for EWB-Norway's ongoing projects in Gaza.