Water for life
For human and economic growth, water, sanitation, and hygiene are essential utilities. Water availability is a critical public health concern in international development, and it is the focus of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6. Access to harmless drinking water and adequate sanitization or hygiene (WASH) is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and it is a fundamental right for a decent standard of living.
Water Problems facing Worldwide
According to the World Health Organization, 844 million people worldwide do not have harmless drinking water, or 2.3 billion do not have access to primary sanitation. According to UN-Water, 3 billion people do not have approach to hand washing facilities.
Water Problems in Pakistan due to Water scarcity
According to a survey conducted by Water Aid, Pakistan is among the top ten countries with the poorest access to safe drinking water, with around 21% of the population lacking access to safe intake of water. Reported to Water Aid, Pakistan is the 7th most impoverished country in terms of sanitation, with 79 million people lacking access to proper toilets and 37% lacking a wastewater disposal system, resulting in the spread of many diseases.
The ramifications for a developing country like Pakistan are dire. Reported to the Pakistan Council of Research (PCRWR), 62 percent of urban residents and 84 percent of rural residents do not treat their drinking water to avoid contracting waterborne infections. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), polluted drinking water is responsible for 40% of all diseases in Pakistan. Pakistan's economy is losing 4% owing to a lack of water and sanitation services.
What is the Solution to Water scarcity?
Taking into account Pakistan's water-related issues. In areas of Pakistan that are frequently plagued by drought, there is little or no precipitation throughout the year, resulting in water shortages. The majority of the people living in these communities are already poor. Women and children are primarily responsible for transporting water to their homes. We can solve it by water project.
How HRF helps to solve Water scarcity Problems in Pakistan
HRF initiated its water for life program in the most vulnerable areas of Pakistan. HRF though its water for life program, provides clean drinking water to those who cannot afford access to clean drinking water. HRF implemented its water for life program in the different areas of Pakistan, i.e., Rajanpur, Tharparkar, Badin, Sanrghar, and Mardan. HRF's water for life program has brought a substantial positive impact on the people of the areas. The following positive changes were observed in the lives of the people of the regions. Now the people of the regions have not to cover long distances for fetching water. So the people of these areas can get clean water on their doorstep. The health of the people of areas got better, AND The psychological stress of the female vanished. The schooling of the children has got improved because they got riddance of water fetching responsibility.
| How HRF works for the Water scarcity Problem |
To mitigate the painful situation of these areas. HRF initiated its WASH projects in these vulnerable areas of Pakistan. And also, HRF implemented its WASH projects in Rajanpur, Tharparkar, Badin, Sanrghar, and Mardan. Approximately 35,000 people are benefited from these programs.
HRF installs about 200 communal and domestic hand pumps at the budget of roughly 6 million (PKR) annually. And approximately twelve thousand people are being benefited from these hand pumps. In addition, HRF also conducts hygiene awareness sessions in those areas for creating awareness about health and hygiene practices that lead to a healthy life. This year, HRF Pakistan has planned to install a sustainable Reverse Osmosis plant at the cost of four million (PKR). It will produce approximately 3000-liters of fresh drinking water per hour and make 30,000-liters of fresh drinking water in a day which is sufficient for 4000- 5000 population for drinking and cooking purposes.
| HRF success stories in Water scarcity |
Due to water scarcity and the lack of water resources in their village, women, and children in village Gowaran Qadir Paro, Giryanchho union council, Tehsil Islamkot, Tharparkar district, had to travel great distances daily to obtain water from far away locations. They had to cover a three-to-four-kilometer journey. Three to four times a day, they had to gather water. They needed to bring water not only for drinking but also for their animals and household needs.
A lack of enough water also hampers villagers' social lives. This has a particularly negative impact on women who are responsible for carrying water. Due to the obligation of fetching water, most young children must often forego their schooling. During need assessment, the HRF field team identified several villages facing scarcity of water and started installing different domestic and communal water schemes. Things began to change drastically after HRF intervention in those communities, women can now utilize their spared time and energy for the betterment and use their skills in supporting their families, Those children who have sacrificed their education and can now play with their friends after school with no pressure of bringing water.
In Rajanpur, 70% of the water is contaminated because its underground water is getting mixed with sewerage water. Mostly the water they consume is from nearby ponds, and it is also infected, which exposes them to several diseases. As a result, locals have been diagnosed with different conditions such as muscle slacking, nausea, diarrhea, skin cancer, weak joints, dental floss, and other abnormal diseases. Irshad Mai (70 years old) of Basthi Langa, Rajanpur, used a daily two-kilometer and her daughter-in-law and grandchildren to the nearest pond to bring water. That water was mainly contaminated because animals were also drinking from the same pond. His son is unskilled labor working on daily wages, his earnings aren't enough to provide sufficient food for his family, and that unhealthy water was the leading cause of his kid's poor health condition, as the entire family had diarrhea after now and then.
HRF resolved their problems and installed a big community Handpump. The whole village of more than 50 houses is taking clean water from this deep borehole pump. It is located in the center of the town, so accessible and free clean water made the villager's life easy. HRF reduce the burden on women and children and also saved their precious time. Those who were buying water for drinking and domestic use also have this free water. It keeps their precious time, money, reduced their burden and improved the health conditions of the Basthi Langa, Rajanpur.
| HRF success stories in Water scarcity |
HRF is a charitable organization trying to bring smiles to depressed faces by providing clean and safe drinking water. HRF also invites you all to take part in this noble cause by giving your charities. Your small contribution can bring significant changes to the community. Help us change their lives for the better.
Water is a valuable gift from God. If there is no water, there is no life. "Thousands have lived without love not one without water." (Audin)
1) Provide safe drinking water to one family for the long-term by donating: PKR. 30,000/-
2) Provide water to a village by donating: PKR. 80,000/-
The Prophet (SAW) said, give charity without delay, for it stands in the path of calamity, the Prophet (SAW) said. (Al-Tirmidhi) and another hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), said, "On the Day of Resurrection, the believer's shade will be his generosity." Al-Tirmidhi (Arabic: Which charity is the finest, according to Allah's Messenger (SAW)? "(providing) water," he said. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) Said,
"Do not show lethargy or negligence in giving alms and charity till your last breath." ( Bukhari and Muslim).
