ISLAMABAD, Jul 23 (APP):The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) on Thursday formally handed over a US-funded $7.6 million Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Project to the Government of Pakistan, marking the successful completion of a landmark initiative that has transformed access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services for nearly 300,000 people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. The handover ceremony, held in Islamabad, brought together senior federal …
US-funded $7.6 million WASH project handed over to govt, benefiting 300,000 Pakistanis
ISLAMABAD, Jul 23 (APP):The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) on Thursday formally handed over a US-funded $7.6 million Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Project to the Government of Pakistan, marking the successful completion of a landmark initiative that has transformed access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services for nearly 300,000 people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh.
The handover ceremony, held in Islamabad, brought together senior federal and provincial government officials, representatives of the United States Embassy, UN agencies, development partners and beneficiary communities to celebrate the successful completion of the project and reaffirm their shared commitment to improving public health, climate resilience and sustainable development in Pakistan.
Funded by the United States Government and implemented by UNOPS Pakistan in collaboration with the provincial governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, the initiative focused on improving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in Tank district of KP and Umerkot district of Sindh, two regions facing significant challenges related to water scarcity, sanitation and climate vulnerability.
The project represents one of the major bilateral development initiatives in Pakistan’s WASH sector and supports the country’s progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6), which aims to ensure universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation while promoting sustainable management of water resources.
Addressing the ceremony, UNOPS Pakistan Country Director Jennifer MacKenzie said the project demonstrated how strong partnerships could deliver practical, sustainable and climate-resilient solutions that directly improve the lives of communities.
She said access to safe drinking water and sanitation was fundamental to public health, education, economic opportunity and climate resilience, adding that UNOPS remained committed to working alongside the Government of Pakistan and international development partners to build resilient infrastructure and strengthen local institutions capable of sustaining these essential services for future generations.
Jennifer MacKenzie said the initiative reflected UNOPS’ commitment to delivering infrastructure that creates long-term benefits while empowering local communities and government institutions to manage and maintain critical public services.
Speaking on the occasion, Angelina M. Wilkinson, Assistance Coordinator at the United States Embassy in Islamabad, said the United States was delighted that the project had brought tangible improvements to the lives of thousands of Pakistani families and was transforming the lives of deserving communities through improved access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities.
She said the United States had always stood with the people of Pakistan, particularly the country’s most vulnerable communities, and remained committed to supporting initiatives that improve public health, strengthen resilience and create better opportunities for future generations.
She said the project reflected the longstanding partnership between the United States and Pakistan, adding that investments in water, sanitation and hygiene not only improve health outcomes but also contribute to education, livelihoods, gender equality and sustainable economic development.
Representatives from federal and provincial governments, UN agencies and development partners also addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts among governments, international partners and local communities in delivering sustainable public services and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Under the project, six climate-resilient drinking water supply schemes were constructed, providing safe and reliable drinking water to approximately 164,000 people across the two districts.
The initiative also established a modern Water Quality Testing Laboratory in Umerkot to strengthen monitoring systems and ensure compliance with national drinking water quality standards.
School and community sanitation facilities were upgraded, benefiting more than 6,400 people, while extensive hygiene awareness campaigns were conducted to promote healthy practices, reduce waterborne diseases and encourage behavioural change at the community level.
The project also strengthened the capacity of local government institutions through technical training, operational support and institutional capacity building to ensure the long-term sustainability of water and sanitation services.
Among the project’s flagship achievements was the inauguration of an upgraded drinking water supply scheme in Umerkot, equipped with modern sand filtration systems, elevated storage tanks and a 14-kilometre water distribution network.
The system now provides safe drinking water directly to the homes of more than 5,000 residents, eliminating the daily eight to ten-kilometre journeys previously undertaken by families to fetch unsafe drinking water.
In addition, UNOPS established a state-of-the-art Water Quality Testing Laboratory in Umerkot to regularly monitor water quality and safeguard public health.
The initiative also included the construction of a modern sanitation block and handwashing facilities at the Government Girls High School Umerkot, benefiting around 1,770 female students by providing safe, hygienic and dignified sanitation facilities that are expected to improve health, school attendance and educational outcomes.
Officials noted that the project had significantly improved access to clean drinking water, strengthened climate resilience, enhanced sanitation standards and promoted healthier living conditions for communities in some of Pakistan’s most underserved and climate-vulnerable areas.
They said the initiative demonstrated how strategic investments in climate-resilient infrastructure could help address pressing development challenges while contributing to improved health, education, livelihoods and environmental sustainability.
The ceremony concluded with the formal handover of the completed project to the Government of Pakistan, symbolising another milestone in the longstanding development partnership between Pakistan, the United States and UNOPS aimed at advancing inclusive, sustainable and climate-resilient development across the country.
