ISLAMABAD: A four-year water and sanitation initiative was launched on Thursday to provide safe drinking water to 70,000 residents in two districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh.

The new initiative, launched by the United States through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), will reduce water-borne diseases by using an innovative approach to improving access to water and sanitation services in health clinics, schools, and underserved communities in Tank and Umerkot districts.

“As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of US-Pakistan relations, USAID is helping Pakistan provide reliable access to water and sanitation services and to properly manage its water resources.

“These investments will have a dramatic impact on the health and well-being of the people and on economic growth, prosperity, and stability,” said acting USAID Mission Director, David Young at the project launch in Islamabad.

Speaking on the occasion, UNOPS Pakistan Country Manager Marysia Zapasnik said: “Access to clean water and sanitation is a basic human right. With generous support from USAID, we are delighted to assist the Governments of Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in providing people in Pakistan with increased access to clean drinking water and sanitation, improving their quality of life.”

“Spanning 75 years, the US-Pakistan partnership has benefited the lives and well-being of both Ameri­cans and Pakistanis. Toge­ther, we have built dams and schools, responded to huma­nitarian emergencies caused by floods and earthquakes, provided vaccines to people in need, and furnished tools and training to help Pakistan’s development.”

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2022