ISLAMABAD, Dec 5: The environment ministry and Unicef have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase awareness on hygiene, safe drinking water, sanitation and waste management among the quake-affected people.

The MoU was signed by Environment Minister Maj (retired) Tahir Iqbal and Unicef representative in Pakistan Omar A. Abdi during a ceremony at the ministry.

Under the MoU, Rs24 million would be spent on awareness- increasing activities in localities which were worst hit on the tragic day.

These activities will complement the ministry’s other initiatives in response to the earthquake, Maj (retired) Tahir Iqbal said.

They are aimed at motivating people to drink only safe and clean water, construct and use latrines and preserve local environments as much as possible.

The minister and Unicef representative also jointly inaugurated the Pakistan Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Communication Plan website (www.pakquakecommunication.org) which had been developed by the Emergency Hygiene and Water, Environment and Sanitation (WES) communication unit, environment ministry as part of the new phase of partnership.

The website will serve as a meeting place for WES partners and the media for information-sharing, discussion and resources related to hygiene, water and sanitation.

Since the earthquake, Unicef has signed more than 10 agreements relating to water and sanitation in the affected districts. This partnership will ensure that people in those areas know how they can protect their health and environment and what services are available to support them in this, Omar A. Abdi said.