The Dutch Surge Support facility (DSS water) supports the operations of humanitarian organisations during and immediately after a disaster by deploying experienced water experts. The Netherlands, as one of the frontrunners in the field of water management, has a lot to offer in this regard. The following two podcasts underline the clear link between water and humanitarian aid.

The deployment of DSS water experts contributes to saving lives and alleviating suffering of a vulnerable population that is affected by disasters. The pool of more than 350 DSS experts consists of top professionals in the field of water resources management, WASH and other affiliated areas of expertise.

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Studio of New Business Radio recording the DSS Podcast
Folkert Tempelman in the studio of New Business Radio, together with Sandra Cats and Jeroen Helder. Adélaïde Umuhuza joined in online.
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Studio of New Business Radio recording the DSS Podcast
Folkert Tempelman in the studio of New Business Radio, together with Sandra Cats and Jeroen Helder. Adélaïde Umuhuza joined in online.

Water emergency response

In the first WaterTalks podcast on DSS water, New Business radio's presenter Folkert Tempelman spoke with Sandra Cats, coordinator humanitarian programs at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, implementor of DSS water, about the DSS programme and its workings. He also spoke with two experts, deployed by DSS to provide emergency aid immediately after a disaster. Water engineer and expert Adélaïde Umuhuza provided support on flood management in Nigeria. Jeroen Helder, hydrologist at Aveco de Bondt, spent time in Lebanon studying the water supply for Syrian refugees. The DSS water experts help with access to clean water, sanitation and water management in emergency situations, but also with more permanent facilities like wastewater treatment plants.

These experts are dedicated people. Most of them have active jobs and an assignment calls for a rapid response that takes them out of their daily routines, for weeks and sometimes even months. Adélaïde Umuhuza on her motivation to join the DSS water programme as an expert: “Naturally, as engineer you are interested in finding solutions and see them work. You do that in your daily job but in the humanitarian sector you actually see it happen. It is somehow instant. It was interesting to actually help out, be there and see what your contribution can be and see the results right on.”

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Miriam Klinkenberg active for DSS water in Macedonia. (photo: DSS water)
Miriam Klinkenberg active for DSS water in Macedonia. (photo: DSS water)
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Miriam Klinkenberg active for DSS water in Macedonia. (photo: DSS water)
Miriam Klinkenberg active for DSS water in Macedonia. (photo: DSS water)

Inclusion in water solutions

In the second edition of the Watertalks podcast on DSS water, inclusion in the humanitarian sector is discussed. What does inclusion mean for the humanitarian sector and how are inclusion and specifically gender part of the work within the DSS water programme? What improvements are needed in the humanitarian sector to be more inclusive and what is it like for women to work in the humanitarian sector?

Speakers are DSS experts Miriam Klinkenberg, FMCG Supply Chain professional and former WASH cluster coordinator in Mozambique and Angelica Rada, MSc., Ph.D., WASH programme manager in Mozambique, together with Bianca Nijhof, Managing Director at the Netherlands Water Partnership, one of the supporting organisations of the DSS water programme. 

About DSS Water

The DSS water programme is an initiative by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) is implementing the programme, the Netherlands Water Partnership is supporting the programme by finding and recruiting water experts, and the Red Cross provides knowledge and remote support. In collaboration with the Netherlands Water Partnership, New Business Radio has produced several WaterTalks podcast specials.

Want to learn more about the DSS water programme and the possibilities of deploying DSS experts?