A Hippo Food Security System is also in place, designed to improve food production Hippo Water Rollers make it possible for owners to grow their own vegetables using a technique known as ‘drip irrigation.’ Hippo Water Roller owners receive training on water purification, good hygiene strategies and drip irrigation, in addition to information on growing food gardens.
Poor communities are worst affected by lack of access to water. Currently, ‘Hippo Water Rollers’ are donated free of charge to people in Africa who need them most. This is accomplished by the donations of various individuals and communities. Being able to transport more water with relatively less effort and in less time means growing crops is a viable source of food and income.
It can also suffice as a container to be dropped with life saving contents from helicopters or low flying fixed-wing aircraft in flooded disaster areas.[citation needed] This might include food and medical supplies, warm dry clothing and blankets, and naturally, water. The polyethylene is lighter than water and will stay only partly submerged, even with fresh water in it. In fact, some rollers have been distributed pre-filled with grain or other foodstuff to villages.[citation needed]
As part of the investigation into the alleviation of poverty and scarcity of water in the far northern parts of Namibia, the Social Sciences Division of the Multi-Disciplinary Research Centre at the University of Namibia, sponsored by UNICEF's Directorate of Rural Development bought 1000 rollers and distributed them into the community. Six months after the introduction they launched an evaluation on the success and performance of the rollers as well as the social impact of the roller on the lives of the recipients.[4]
