UNICEF launches water and sanitation project in quake zone

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the government of Pakistani-administered Kashmir have jointly launched a new US $8.2 million project to rehabilitate rural water supply systems and improve sanitation in the two worst quake-affected districts of Muzaffarabd and Bagh over the next six months. “The project, with technical and financial support from UNICEF, would benefit more than half a million people in rural and suburban areas of the two districts, including the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities,” Murtaza Malik, coordinating UNICEF’s water and sanitation project, said in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Monday. At least 80,000 people were killed and more than 100,000 injured after the powerful quake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale ripped through Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Pakistani-administered Kashmir on 8 October. In addition, over 3 million people were rendered homeless with extensive damage to water, health, education and communications infrastructure. As part of the earthquake relief operation, UNICEF has distributed around 1 million water purification sachets and about half a million water purification tablets to address the immediate needs of clean water in quake-hit areas. Moreover, the agency has also provided 46,000 bars of soap, 11,000 buckets and 5,000 jerry cans across the affected areas in addition to the construction of about 1,000 latrines serving 20,000 people living in emergency settlements in and around Mansehra and Muzaffarabad. Under the water and sanitation rehabilitation project – that will run until at least the end of May 2006 - some 200 rural water supply systems will be made operational, ensuring the provision of safe drinking water to around 150,000 people in Muzaffarabd and Bagh districts of Pakistani-administered Kashmir. “Another 50,000 latrines, with supplies by UNICEF, will be constructed in schools, mosques, health centres and at household level in rural areas besides promoting low-cost options,” UNICEF’s water and sanitation expert said.