ISLAMABAD, Nov 28: The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and the Azad Kashmir government (AJK) have partnered to rehabilitate rural water supply system and improve sanitation in the earthquake-affected areas under a new agreement worth Rs493 million.

Majority of water supply and sanitary systems in Azad Kashmir were badly damaged or destroyed by the October 8 earthquake.

Continuing 30 years of cooperation, Unicef will provide supplies, technical assistance and other support to the Local Government and Rural Development Department (LG&RDD) of Azad Kashmir for implementing the project, the largest ever partnership in Water Environment and Sanitation (WES) in Pakistan, says a press release.

Under the agreement, 200 water supply systems will be made operational and over 100,000 people in the rural affected areas will be supplied safe drinking water.

Following an assessment to identify and prioritize damaged water supply and sanitary systems in Neelum, Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Poonch districts, the LG&RDD will repair and reconstruct the damaged infrastructure with technical support and supplies provided by Unicef.

The repaired systems will be handed over to communities for operation and maintenance. In addition, some 50,000 people in Chanari, Hatian Balla, Chikar, Ghari Dopatta, and Uthmuqam will benefit when the LG&RDD, Public Health and Engineering Department and Unicef rehabilitate and operationalize water and sanitary systems of these five towns.

Benefiting 150,000 people, the LG&RDD with Unicef support will promote household level water treatment options. Awareness will be created of water quality issues, including protection of water sources. Community-based water quality testing and sanitary inspection mechanisms will be set up.

Some 50,000 latrines will be constructed by the LG&RDD with supplies provided by Unicef in schools, mosques, camps, health centres and at household level in the rural areas.

Another 10,000 pit latrines will be constructed in selected camps where solid waste management and water delivery and quality will also be addressed. Hygiene promotion will motivate people in the camps and rural areas to adopt improved sanitation options and hygiene practices.

Low cost sanitation options will be promoted in these towns through the construction of 7,500 pit latrines in schools and health centres for demonstrations. A series of trainings will be conducted to build the capacity of field staff to promote these activities.

The LG&RDD suffered severe damages to its office structure, equipment and vehicles. Despite this, it has been rendering services in the urban as well as rural areas with assistance from different agencies.

To reactivate the department’s offices and services, Unicef will also provide temporary office structures, furniture and vehicles.