Water and Sanitation Program

ARC launched a USAID/OFDA funded water supply scheme project and successfully completed 66 water schemes in the remote villages of Bagh. The total number of beneficiaries of the project is more than 75,000. The earthquake destroyed almost all of the drinking water infrastructure and sanitation systems and left these areas with scarce clean water resources and hygiene facilities. Most people were found to be defecating in the open with a danger of widespread diseases due to poor sanitation. ARC’s WATSAN project focused on providing drinking water and sanitation services in Bagh District. The project aimed to achieve the following objectives:

• To minimize the risk of disease in areas without safe drinking water;
• Avoid open defecation;
• Promote various actions towards personal and domestic hygiene and an environment free from major health hazards by conducing hygiene education, IEC on personal, domestic and general environment hygiene to protect the health of people, garbage collection and disposal, health education campaigns.

To achieve these objectives, ARC constructed 2,400 latrines and conducted 788 hygiene sessions in beginning of the project and then another 263 such hygiene events with 17,465 participants. UNICEF gave 110,000 pieces of soap to be distributed among 5,956 households, ARC also received from UNICEF 2,800 Hygiene kits which were distributed in addition to 5,819 Jerry cans, 111,770 Aqua Tabs and 93,685 Purr Sachet to 106,754 households. ARC worked to replace 66 water supply schemes and decommission latrines, and successfully achieved the target in given time in the early recovery phase.

In the long term recovery phase, ARC collaborated with UNICEF for the continuation of the construction of water supply shames in more villages to increase the access to resources of clean and safe drinking water. ARC WATSAN team comprising of 145 masons, plumbers, social organizers, engineers, project officers, and hygiene promoters, is worked on another 47 community water supply schemes and 141 water facilities in the schools. The clean and safe drinking water is made available to 18,700 children in 141 schools in Bagh. 370 ventilated, improved pit latrine structures are installed in schools for teachers and students in 141 schools. 130 school teachers received training through 936 hygiene and sanitation education sessions conducted by the ARC WATSAN team through out the project period.

ARC actively participated in “Sanitation Week” observed during 5th-10th March 2007 by UNICEF and all the implementing partners, in the four union councils of Bagh District. ARC took the responsibility of organizing a health and hygiene awareness walk in which 200 students participated and a debate competition was arranged for school children at district level in the first week of March 2007. A painting competition was also held for the school kids organized by PVDP. Health and hygiene messages were disseminated through FM 99 PSA (Public Service Announcement) for Bagh District specifically during the sanitation week.