Short Bio
Graduated as a Chemical Engineer from Rey Juan Carlos University (Spain), also holds a Masters Degree in Humanitarian Aid and Development. Her first contact with the sector was in 2009 when she participated as a volunteer in the Western Saharan refugee camps in Tindouf (Algeria). Since 2011, she has worked as a technical WASH Advisor for CAWST, the Center for Affordable Water Technologies, based in Calgary, Canada. Currently, leads the LAC team where she is responsible for coordinating the capacity building activities in the region, including providing technical assistance and training in decentralized water and sanitation solutions to local organizations, NGOs and governments across Latin America. Since 2017, its work has focused on supporting the Government of Colombia in promoting alternative solutions for the rural water and sanitation area and it is the focal point of the SuSANA network for this country. Additionally, Eva has worked in several countries in Africa and Asia, where she collaborated with the Lao Ministry of Health in strengthening the technical capacity of their staff.
Based in Madrid (Spain), travels frequently to LAC, where she has visited over 15 countries.
Motivation/Commitment to the GSC
Having worked over the last decade in most of the countries of the Latin American region, I have been privileged to learn about the water and sanitation situation in the region, particularly in the gaps existing in coverage and quality of services. I have been able to build strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, private sector companies and utilities and still, I feel most of these stakeholders don’t see sanitation as a crucial matter to address. That is the reason why my participation at the GSC can be positive to influence to change that status quo, by transferring the learnings and approaches learned at global level and support countries in lack to prioritize and give visibility to sanitation investments and solutions.
Is there anything else you would like to say to the SuSanA community?
I appreciate all the important work that SuSanA has made in promoting sanitation and creating strong relationships and networks globally and regionally, and I’d be more than happy to be a contribution to expand the reach and impact.