Water
At Dorcas, we are committed to empowering communities with access to water, ensuring its availability, and promoting sustainable use and conservation, so everyone can thrive, even in the face of changing environmental conditions.
We recognise that impactful water programming is context specific. To respond effectively, Dorcas envisions three main approaches:
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH): Supporting people to access essential WASH services during emergencies and in protracted crises.
- Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM): Taking a holistic approach to managing water systems and encouraging water stewardship at individual, community, and societal levels
- Water entrepreneurship and innovation: Leveraging the economic value of water to improve local livelihoods, while promoting inclusive and climate-resilient innovations that contribute to sustainable water management.
Impact stories
Water is life: Dorcas Yemen’s WASH impact
Yemen is one of the most water‑scarce countries in the world, where millions lack reliable access to safe water and sanitation, and only around one third of the population is connected to piped water networks.
Providing safe water is a core priority for Dorcas Yemen. Our WASH work delivers sustainable access to clean water and strengthens community resilience through well rehabilitation, urban water networks, water tank and rainwater harvesting construction, sewage systems, and water management awareness.
In Al‑Matar and neighbouring communities, extending the public water network has transformed daily life: families no longer spend heavily on tanker water, hygiene and health have improved, and children can attend school with confidence.
Watch the video below to see our WASH programme in action.
Transformative water and sanitation project brings lasting benefits to Siaya County, Kenya
Dorcas Kenya has successfully completed the Siaya Water and Sanitation Project, enhancing sustainable access to clean drinking water and improving sanitation facilities in Siaya County.
Watch the video below to find out more!
Stories and articles
Responding to growing food insecurity in Ethiopia
Communities in Fedis and Midega Tola woredas, East Hararge, Ethiopia, are facing acute and rapidly worsening food insecurity following prolonged drought conditions. In response, Dorcas has launched a rapid, multi‑sectoral emergency intervention to support 28,000 […]
Local power creates lasting change: Dorcas strategic plan 2026-2030
Reading time: three minutes. Dorcas is proud to announce the publication of its strategic plan 2026-2030: Local power creates lasting change. This roadmap sets out Dorcas’s vision for the coming years, focusing on empowering local […]
Dorcas takes rapid action to address Yemen’s growing public health crisis
Reading time: two minutes. Yemen is facing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with an estimated 21.6 million people requiring humanitarian assistance in 2025. Despite this urgent need, attention and humanitarian funding remain […]
Dorcas strengthens partnerships in Kenya during Netherlands trade mission
Dorcas took part in the Netherlands Trade Mission to Kenya from 17–20 March 2025. Focusing on sustainable agriculture and water, the mission provided a valuable platform for engagement, collaboration and visibility. The event was led […]
Transformative water and sanitation project brings lasting benefits to Siaya County, Kenya
Dorcas Kenya has successfully completed the Siaya Water and Sanitation Project, enhancing sustainable access to clean drinking water and improving sanitation facilities in Siaya County. The project is funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency in […]
World Water Day – A large number of people have limited access to clean drinking water
Clean drinking water is not merely a convenience, it is a fundamental human need and a cornerstone of public health. However, millions of people around the globe still lack access to safe water sources, leading […]
Column CEO: Drink water, give life!
Written by: Agnes Kroese, CEO of Dorcas From all sides, women and children come running. By their side, a donkey with empty jerry cans. I am in Yemen. This mountain village depends on only one […]
World Water Day
Water affects us all. Clean water is a fundamental human need and an essential resource for life. Ensuring access to safe and clean water is not only important for public health and well-being, but it […]