UNICEF launches new clean water project for Pakistani quake victims

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today launched a new water network to benefit up to 30,000 people in a region of Pakistan devastated by last October’s earthquake.

“This water supply scheme - and other achievements we have made in water and sanitation throughout the earthquake zone - will help to prevent any significant outbreak of diarrhoea or other water borne diseases,” UNICEF representative Omar Abdi said at the inauguration of the network of a tube well, water pipes, reservoir and pumps that will supply 250,000 gallons per day.

The $73,300-project in quake-ravaged Balakot is just one of 63 UNICEF-assisted water schemes in Mansehra district. Since UNICEF began working in the zone in October, water supplies in several urban areas and in 180 villages have been rehabilitated, providing safe drinking water to more than half a million people.

In the entire disaster zone, more than 80 schemes have now been completed in close cooperation between the UN and the government.

Over the next two years, UNICEF aims to complete up to 1,000 in north-west Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir where the 8 October quake killed over 73,000 people, injured nearly 70,000 others and left millions more homeless.