In a strategic move to bolster their collective efforts in improving infrastructure in resource-limited communities, Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) and Engineering World Health (EWH) have announced their merger. This consolidation aims to integrate their distinct areas of expertise and amplify their impact worldwide.
Founded in 2002 by a civil engineering professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, EWB-USA began with a small group of engineers who installed a waterfall-powered clean water system for 950 Mayan Indians in Belize. Since then, the organization has expanded significantly, now boasting 14,000 volunteers working on 350 engineering projects across the globe. EWB-USA’s initiatives have positively impacted over 5 million people worldwide, according to their website.
Engineering World Health, established in 2004, has focused on improving healthcare in underserved regions. The organization’s volunteers, comprising engineers and biomedical professionals, have provided over $30 million in services by installing and repairing life-saving medical equipment in hospitals across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
The merger of EWB-USA and EWH is set to integrate EWH’s expertise in biomedical equipment and technical training with EWB-USA’s sustainable infrastructure solutions. This collaboration will enhance their ability to address health and infrastructure needs in tandem, addressing gaps that were highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Boris Martin, CEO of EWB-USA, emphasized the merger’s potential to shift the organization’s approach from focusing solely on infrastructure projects to a more comprehensive goal of improving overall community health. “During the pandemic, we realized the critical state of healthcare in some communities where we operate. This merger allows us to leverage EWH’s expertise in biomedical equipment and repairs, thereby building more sustainable and health-focused solutions,” Martin stated.
In addition to international projects, EWB-USA has been supporting U.S. communities lacking resources to benefit from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. By providing pro bono pre-engineering reports, the organization helps communities conceptualize and implement improvements they otherwise could not afford.
Martin concluded, “Many communities don’t have access to the engineering expertise needed to envision or realize their improvements. Our profession has a mandate to give back, and this merger enhances our ability to fulfill that commitment.”
The combined strength of EWB-USA and EWH promises a more holistic approach to development, addressing both infrastructure and healthcare needs to foster sustainable growth and well-being globally.
