ABBOTTABAD: Speakers at a workshop on Friday underlined the need for specifying direction for current and future water and sanitation interventions and community empowerment to promote increased ownership at the community level and integration among different organizations.

The workshop titled ‘Voices of the Community’ was jointly organised by international NGO Oxfam and the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) here.

The workshop was aimed to review the progress of the government and private organisations in water, sanitation and hygiene (Wash) sector in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in 2005.

District government officials and NGOs’ representatives were present on the occasion.

The meeting was informed that the steps adopted by Nust were raising interest among the NGOs and government officials as well as affected communities in this regard.

Bioenvironmental management expert Taimur Hayat presented the study of Hazara division.

Abbottabad additional commissioner Kuneez Fatima made some pertinent observations and narrated her experience of working in the field after the earthquake.

The participants recommended that everybody should have a right to basic water supply and sanitation.

They also advocated for women’s role in planning, provision and management of water services and hygiene promotion.

They said that water services infrastructure must be provided to the community and that water conservation and demand management must be ensured with community participation, particularly youth.