September 2, 2022
Lott Carey has committed to support those affected by the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, in the United States.
In August, Jackson lost access to water when its largest water treatment plant failed, leaving tap water untreated, affecting about 150,000 residents.
Jackson, the state capital, is more than 80 percent African American with a high poverty rate.
“Lott Carey, in collaboration with National Baptist Convention of America, is responding to the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi,” said Executive Secretary-Treasurer Rev. Emmett Dunn.
“The situation is dire and requires urgent response. We are calling on all churches and our partners to meet this immediate need.”
Jackson has suffered longstanding water and other emergencies. According to the Washington Post, Jackson’s water problems have disproportionately affected the city’s low-income, Black communities.
“At the root of this crisis is systemic racism, and the local and state governments’ intentional negligence to redirect infrastructure funds that could have helped solve this issue years ago,” said LaTosha Brown and Cliff Albright, co-founders of the local advocacy group Black Voters Matter. “This crisis is not an isolated event.”
The mayor declared a local emergency on August 24, shutting down all businesses and schools. The governor announced a state of emergency on August 29 and deployed 600 National Guards on August 31 to distribute bottled water and hand sanitizer.
“In 2014, we responded urgently and generously when the water in the city of Flint was affected by lead and other contaminants,” said Rev. Dunn. “We are calling for the same response to a similar crisis now in Jackson.”
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