11/12/2025
Qatar Charity (QC) has constructed nearly 418 wells over the past 20 months in Sri Lanka, providing clean and safe drinking water to more than 28,100 people in underserved communities where public water networks are unavailable.
The initiative aims to ease the daily struggle of thousands of families who previously had to walk long distances to fetch water—a challenge that posed health risks and physical and financial strain, particularly for children.
Qatar Charity ensured that the wells were tailored to the needs of each targeted area. The initiative includes 45-meter-deep wells with overhead tanks and electric pumps, 22-meter wells with similar features, and 30-meter wells equipped with manual pumps, ensuring sustainable access to water for impoverished households.
Beneficiaries welcomed the project with gratitude. Mr. Safarullah, a widower caring for four daughters, said: “I used to walk long distances to get water before sending my daughters to school. Today, thanks to Allah and Qatar Charity, our lives have improved, and we live with dignity."
Ms. Vanidaharani, another beneficiary, called the initiative “a great joy for the community,” noting that the 45-meter well serves five families and provides a reliable source of clean water.
Mr. Naina Mohamed Abdul Shaheed, Principal at Jinnahpuram School in Pulmoddai, said: "More than 850 students now have access to safe drinking water, ending years of suffering from water scarcity."
Local officials also praised the effort. Mr. J. Douglas, a government official in Ampara District, said: "Previously, water pumped from the river was unsafe for drinking. This project has transformed lives for the better."
It is worth mentioning that Qatar Charity continues to work across key sectors in Sri Lanka, including education, health, housing, food security, economic empowerment, and water and sanitation. Its efforts include installing water coolers in schools and mosques, and improving household sanitation facilities, in addition to preparing to launch a desalination plant with a capacity of 10,000 liters per day in a village affected by salinity and contamination—ensuring clean water for all.