Over thirty percent of the residents in the Navajo Nation do not have access to running water, according to a recent study from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To fight the water scarcity in the region, Yolanda Tso founded THE WATERED – Water Acquisition Team for Every Resident & Every Diné.

In late spring, the Navajo Nation saw the highest per-capita COVID-19 infection rate in the country. Although the number of positive cases declined over the summer, cases are now growing at the fastest rate since May.

The Center to Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to stress the importance of hand hygiene to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But with a large portion of the population without access to fresh running water, many members of the Navajo Nation have found it challenging to follow this guidance.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES ACT) set aside US$8 billion for tribes. These funds were meant to address the pressing water issue the Navajo Nation faces, but funding came with restrictions. The Act requires all aid funds to be used within the 2020 calendar year.

The Navajo Nation argues that this timeline is unrealistic. Jason John, who manages the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources, estimates the project will take at least two years to build the necessary infrastructure.

Tso wanted to help members of her own community with a more immediate solution. After researching pre-existing handwashing stations, she launched THE WATERED. The organization creates and delivers fully hands-free portable washing stations to those who request them, free of charge.

Read the full article about water scarcity in the Navajo Nation by Kimberly Behzadi at Food Tank.