Mercy Relief and AGplus Technologies sign agreement for new water innovations

Singapore-based independent and non-governmental humanitarian charity organisation Mercy Relief (MR) has signed a memorandum of cooperation with AGplus Technologies to develop new water solutions to improve water services in disaster-stricken and rural areas of the country.

MR and Singapore Polytechnic (SP) have co-designed, developed and tested the new PurHeart Bottle, PurHeart Straw and PurHeart family of water solutions using nanosilver technology, in a bid to support communities that have been affected by disasters and poverty.

AGplus’ chief technical officer Liu Hongjun invented the chemically-bonded nanosilver ceramic technology in 2012.

The new water solution complements MR’s other water innovations, which have been designed and deployed to serve at community level.

The NGO has been working with SP to design and develop technologies to support emergency relief efforts and sustainable development projects, mainly focused on water and sanitation, food, shelter and clean energy.

Singapore-based Cuffz Holdings has supported MR’s work by providing 2,000 units of the PurHeart Bottle, each costing $20, and 500 units of the PurHeart Family valued at $25 each, to help the NGO prepare for emergency stockpiling as part of its disaster preparedness programme.

Mercy Relief chief executive Hassan Ahmad said the latest collaboration between the social, corporate and technical education sectors seeks to bring about appropriate, simple and sustainable water solutions.

"The humanitarian arena needs sincere, responsible and committed social entrepreneurs and corporate supporters such as AGplus and Cuffz Holdings to help address the needs of distressed and disadvantaged communities," Ahmad added.

AGplus CEO Harold Fock said technology is useful only when it can go hand in hand socially.

"Through SP, we are elated to have found a practical and purposeful partner in MR. MR has extensive first-hand experiences and are privy to the problem statements of the affected grounds," Fock added.

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Image: Mercy Relief and AGplus Technologies have signed memorandum of cooperation to develop new water solutions for disaster-stricken and rural areas in Singapore. Photo: Courtesy of Mercy Relief.