ISLAMABAD, April 22: The staff of US embassy on Saturday celebrated Earth Day alongside children from 65 local schools.

The US embassy and Pakistan-based environmental organisations, including the Pakistan Institute for Environment Development Action Research (PIEDAR) and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), held the celebrations to promote environmental awareness among children.

This year, the Earth Day celebrations took place on both Friday and Saturday.

The US embassy staff participated in panel discussions and talks in addition to officiating at art, fashion and product competitions featuring the creative use of recycled materials.

In Pakistan, the US government works with its partners to advance environmentally conscious development.

According to a press release, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is nearing an agreement to support the Pakistan government’s clean drinking water initiative.

The initiative’s overarching goal is to improve the health and well being of the millions of Pakistanis who do not have access to safe drinking water.

USAID aims to contribute to the project with activities in 31 districts and a national hygiene and sanitation promotion campaign.