Water purification training is underway in Haiti, humanitarian organization CARE International announced on Monday.

In response to the inaccessibility of potable water after Tuesday's earthquake, CARE has distributed 600,000 water purification tablets and is teaching locals how to use them.

"CARE staff train local volunteers, so they can teach others and distribute the packets according to a careful inventory of families at the site to be sure it reaches those most in need," Dr. Franck Geneus, coordinator of CARE's health program in Haiti, said in a statement.

When the tablet's powder mixes with water, impurities come to the surface in the form of solids and can be strained out, leaving behind drinkable water. Each tablet can purify up to 10 liters of water, enough for one adult to drink safely for four days.

The main obstacle to purification, a two-bucket process, is that most don't own a single bucket, said CARE's country director in Haiti, Sophie Perez. Because of that, CARE will distribute buckets along with purification tablets and hygiene kits. CARE has launched a 10 million U.S. dollar appeal for Haiti, where it has 130 staff.

Founded in 1945, CARE works in almost 70 countries.

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