San Juan, Puerto Rico, 10 de julio de 2018<\/strong>\u00a0| The\u00a0Fundaci\u00f3n Comunitaria de Puerto Rico (FCPR),<\/strong>\u00a0Oxfam America<\/strong>\u00a0y\u00a0Model Forest<\/strong>\u00a0se unieron para fortalecer alrededor de diez acueductos comunitarios ubicados en \u00e1reas rurales del centro de la Isla, que fueron impactados por los huracanes Irma y Mar\u00eda en el 2017. Todav\u00eda hay acueductos comunitarios que permanecen inoperantes o funcionando de forma limitada a casi un a\u00f1o del paso de los huracanes y sus necesidades no est\u00e1n siendo atendidas. Esta iniciativa liderada por la FCPR est\u00e1 dirigida a llenar ese vac\u00edo y facilitar el acceso sostenible al agua a trav\u00e9s de restauraciones y de mejoras a la infraestructura, adem\u00e1s del fortalecimiento de las capacidades administrativas en las comunidades.<\/p>\n Los acueductos comunitarios son infraestructuras que proveen agua potable y que no est\u00e1n conectados a la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AAA). La mayor\u00eda de estos sistemas est\u00e1n ubicados en zonas rurales aisladas y muchos de ellos no usan alta tecnolog\u00eda de tratamiento para la potabilizaci\u00f3n del agua. Su operaci\u00f3n se da mediante la organizaci\u00f3n comunitaria en forma de comit\u00e9s o juntas que mantienen y administran el sistema de agua. El fortalecimiento de estas infraestructuras incluir\u00e1 la instalaci\u00f3n de sistemas solares, equipo, apoyo para cumplimiento reglamentario, mentor\u00eda de una comunidad a otra, y reparaciones de infraestructura f\u00edsica. Algunos de los acueductos que ser\u00e1n impactados est\u00e1n en los pueblos de Ciales, Caguas, Aibonito, Aguas Buenas y Cayey.<\/p>\n \u201cEsta alianza representa una oportunidad de colaboraci\u00f3n efectiva dirigida a apoyar la recuperaci\u00f3n sostenible de las comunidades m\u00e1s vulnerables cuyos sistemas de agua se vieron afectados por los huracanes\u201d, mencion\u00f3 Brenda Guzm\u00e1n-Col\u00f3n, asesora de Programa para Oxfam. \u201cEn plena temporada de huracanes y con la a\u00fan necesaria inversi\u00f3n en infraestructura de agua y otras de car\u00e1cter cr\u00edtico, esta colaboraci\u00f3n proveer\u00e1 el apoyo necesario para las comunidades rurales en necesidad. Vamos a trabajar juntos con estas comunidades para mejorar su acceso al agua y fortalecer sus capacidades y resiliencia para enfrentar futuros eventos, asegur\u00e1ndonos que las preocupaciones de g\u00e9nero se aborden adecuadamente en el proceso\u201d, agreg\u00f3 Guzm\u00e1n-Col\u00f3n.<\/em><\/p>\n Adem\u00e1s, la inversi\u00f3n filantr\u00f3pica de Oxfam fortalecer\u00e1 la representaci\u00f3n de las mujeres en los organismos que gobiernan la administraci\u00f3n del agua en estas comunidades. Se busca as\u00ed que\u00a0sus prioridades sean escuchadas y se tomen acciones que las integren en la toma de decisiones y soluciones para las comunidades.<\/p>\n Esta iniciativa forma parte del proyecto program\u00e1tico de la FCPR en el \u00e1rea de acceso equitativo al agua, denominado\u00a0Agua Pa\u2019 Nosotros.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cLa meta es lograr una transformaci\u00f3n de estos sistemas mediante el restablecimiento y\/o reparaci\u00f3n sostenible para que puedan proveer agua segura a sus comunidades. Tambi\u00e9n se proveer\u00e1 asistencia t\u00e9cnica a los integrantes de la comunidad para mejorar la administraci\u00f3n y el mantenimiento del acueducto, y se promover\u00e1 la participaci\u00f3n de los residentes durante la ejecuci\u00f3n de las obras\u201d,<\/em>\u00a0mencion\u00f3 el Dr. Nelson I. Col\u00f3n Tarrats, presidente ejecutivo de la FCPR.<\/p>\n La FCPR ya ha comenzado a trabajar con unos 14 acueductos comunitarios, que no solo incluyen los de la zona centro de esta alianza, sino tambi\u00e9n de otras \u00e1reas como el sur, gracias a una aportaci\u00f3n de\u00a0The San Francisco Foundation<\/strong>. Uno de estos es R\u00edo Chiquito en Ponce, donde ya se instal\u00f3 un sistema solar completo y sostenible que incluye paneles y bater\u00edas. La mayor\u00eda de los aproximadamente 247 acueductos comunitarios que existen en la Isla fueron severamente impactados tras el paso de los huracanes, principalmente porque provocaron da\u00f1os en la infraestructura y por la falta de electricidad para las bombas.<\/p>\n \u201cLa Mesa Multisectorial del Bosque Modelo de PR Inc., se enorgullece de formar parte de esta alianza. Agradecemos profundamente que nos permitan impactar acueductos comunitarios desde las perspectivas de apoderamiento comunitario y sustentabilidad. Un mejor Puerto Rico es posible y juntos lo vamos a lograr\u201d,<\/em>\u00a0dijo Edwin Rivera, miembro Comit\u00e9 Ejecutivo Bosque Modelo.<\/p>\n About the Puerto Rico Community Foundation<\/strong>\u00a0| La FCPR es una entidad sin fines de lucro que desde hace m\u00e1s de 32 a\u00f1os ha asesorado a individuos, familias, corporaciones y fundaciones dentro y fuera de la Isla sobre c\u00f3mo canalizar sus inquietudes filantr\u00f3picas. La asesor\u00eda busca que la aportaci\u00f3n de los donantes tenga un impacto en el autodesarrollo de los puertorrique\u00f1os. Adem\u00e1s, la FCPR tiene un \u00e1rea program\u00e1tica para proyectos anuales fruto de las necesidades vigentes en nuestras comunidades. La FCPR es la primera fundaci\u00f3n de esta naturaleza en Puerto Rico y el Caribe, y hoy d\u00eda la \u00fanica en Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n About Oxfam<\/strong>\u00a0| Oxfam is a global organization that works to eradicate the injustice of poverty. Its mission is to address the causes of poverty and create long-term solutions. We help people build a better future for themselves, hold power holders accountable and save lives in disasters. Our mission is to address the causes of poverty and create lasting solutions.<\/p>\n Model Forest<\/strong>\u00a0| La misi\u00f3n del Bosque Modelo de Puerto Rico es promover nuevos paradigmas y pr\u00e1cticas para potenciar el desarrollo sustentable y la conservaci\u00f3n de nuestros recursos naturales a nivel de paisaje y recursos culturales, convirtiendo a los(as) ciudadanos(as) VERSI\u00d3N EN CASTELLANO<\/p>\n Puerto Rico Community Foundation, Oxfam America, and Bosque Modelo launch partnership<\/strong>to<\/strong><\/p>\n strengthen Puerto Rico\u2019s community aqueducts<\/strong><\/p>\n There are still community aqueducts that remain non-operational nearly one year after Hurricanes Irma and Mar\u00eda<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n San Juan, Puerto Rico, July 10, 2018<\/strong>\u00a0| Today,\u00a0Puerto Rico Community Foundation (PRCF), Oxfam America,\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Model Forest<\/strong>\u00a0joined together to launch a project to strengthen approximately ten rural community aqueducts in the island\u2019s central area that were affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. There are still community aqueducts throughout Puerto Rico that have remained non-operational or with intermittent water service for almost a year following the hurricanes, with their needs yet to be addressed. This initiative, led by PRCF, aims to fill that gap and enable sustainable access to water through restoration and improvement of infrastructure and the strengthening of administrative capacity within communities.<\/p>\n Community aqueducts provide potable water and are not connected to the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewage Authority (PRASA). Most of these systems are located in isolated rural areas and many of them do not use water treatment technology. They are operated by community organized committees or boards that administer and maintain the systems. Strengthening these infrastructures will include the installation of solar powered systems and equipment, support for regulations compliance, mentoring between communities, and infrastructure repair. Many of these aqueducts are located in Ciales, Caguas, Aibonito, Aguas Buenas and Cayey.<\/p>\n \u201cThis alliance is an opportunity to effectively collaborate toward the sustainable recovery of vulnerable communities whose water systems were affected by the hurricanes,\u201d said Brenda Guzm\u00e1n-Col\u00f3n, Senior Program Advisor for Oxfam America. \u201cWith the new hurricane season already underway and investments still needed in water and other critical infrastructure, this partnership will bring much-needed support to rural communities in need. We will work together with these communities to improve access to potable water, strengthen their ability to confront future events, and ensure that gender concerns are integrated into the process.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n T<\/em>he grant from Oxfam supports the representation of women in the governing bodies that administer the water systems in the communities. This ensures that women\u2019s priorities are heard, and guarantees their participation in decision making and solution finding processes.<\/p>\n The initiative is part of PRCF\u2019s programmatic project in the equitable access to water area known as\u00a0Water For Us<\/strong>\u00a0(Water for Us).\u00a0\u201cIt is our goal to transform these systems through restoration and\/or sustainable repair in order to provide safe potable water to the communities. Technical assistance will be provided to community members to improve the aqueduct\u2019s administration and maintenance, and residents\u2019 participation during construction will be encouraged\u201d,<\/em>\u00a0said Dr. Nelson I. Col\u00f3n Tarrats, Chief Executive, PRCF.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Multi-sectoral Community Council of the Bosque Modelo de PR Inc., is proud to be part of this alliance. We deeply appreciate the opportunity to impact community aqueducts from the perspective of community empowerment and sustainability. A better Puerto Rico is possible and together we will achieve it\u201d,<\/em>\u00a0said Edwin Rivera, Member of the Executive Committee of Bosque Modelo.<\/p>\n PRCF has been working with 14 community aqueducts that also include other areas of the island thanks to a contribution from\u00a0The San Francisco Foundation<\/strong>. One of these is located in R\u00edo Chiquito in Ponce, where a solar system with panels and batteries have been placed. The majority of the island\u2019s approximately 247 community aqueducts were severely damaged by the hurricanes. The infrastructure was impaired, and they were further harmed by the lack of electricity needed for the water pumps.<\/p>\n About Puerto Rico Community Foundation<\/strong>\u00a0| PRCF is a non-profit organization that has provided consulting services to individuals, families, corporations and foundations, both in Puerto Rico and abroad, regarding the best way to channel their philanthropic concerns. They want donors\u2019 contributions to have an impact in the self-development of Puerto Ricans. In addition, PRCF has a programmatic area for annual projects that address the current needs of our communities. It is the first foundation of this nature in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean and, as of today, the only one in Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n About Oxfam<\/strong>\u00a0| Oxfam is a global organization working to end the injustice of poverty. We help people build better futures for themselves, hold the powerful accountable, and save lives in disasters. Our mission is to tackle the root causes of poverty and create lasting solutions.<\/p>\n About Bosque Modelo<\/strong>\u00a0| Bosque Modelo of Puerto Rico\u2019s mission is to promote new models and practices to foster sustainable development and the conservation of our natural resources at a level that addresses landscape and cultural resources. In this way, citizens become the centerpiece in the protection of the natural and cultural surroundings they are a part of.<\/p>\n CONTACTOS \/ CONTACTS\u00a0<\/strong> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Todav\u00eda hay acueductos rurales averiados a casi un a\u00f1o de los huracanes Irma y Mar\u00eda San Juan, Puerto Rico, 10 de julio de 2018\u00a0| La\u00a0Fundaci\u00f3n Comunitaria de Puerto Rico (FCPR),\u00a0Oxfam America\u00a0y\u00a0Bosque Modelo\u00a0se unieron para fortalecer alrededor de diez acueductos comunitarios ubicados en \u00e1reas rurales del centro de la Isla, que fueron impactados por los huracanes […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4629,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[107,106,103,105],"class_list":["post-4630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-comunicados","tag-acueductos-comunitarios","tag-agua","tag-maria","tag-oxfam"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nen eje principal de la protecci\u00f3n de su entorno natural y cultural, del que se reconocen como parte.<\/p>\n
\nMary Ann Gabino | Senior Vice President FCPR | R-492
\nLibni Sanjurjo , FCPR Communications Officer , (787) 240-0130 lsanjurjo@fcpr.org
\nAlyssa Eisenstein | Oficial de Prensa Humanitaria |\u00a0(202) 777-2909 alyssa.eisenstein@oxfam.org<\/p>\n