Qatar Charity signs two agreements with UNICEF for WASH interventions in Pakistan

Qatar Charity (QC), through its Pakistan office, has recently signed two contracts with UNICEF to implement two water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) projects for the benefit of nearly one million people in the provinces of Punjab and Baluchistan over the period of two years. Both WASH projects are being implemented at a cost of QR 12 million.

The QR 7.4 million ‘WASH in Emergency’ project, which is underway, is expected to benefit approximately 580,000 individuals in the Jhang district of Punjab and the district Pashim of Balochistan, focusing on PATs + model from UNICEF

The other project entitled ‘Improving Access to Water and Sanitation and WASH Infection Prevention Control (IPC) for Communities and Schools” is being implemented at a cost of QR 4.6 million. This project is expected to benefit nearly 356,939 individuals in two districts of Baluchistan.

The purpose of these WASH projects is to create an open defecation-free environment in the country by enabling the targeted population to realize their right to better health through improved WASH services. These projects also seek to reduce WASH-related diseases and deaths.

The projects implementation strategy focuses on the “Pakistan Approach to Total Sanitation” to up-scale rural sanitation through strong social mobilization.  In addition, the WASH services will also be provided at the level of communities, schools and health facilities.

Qatar Charity has previously implemented many projects in partnership with UNICEF in Pakistan. Among the most significant projects by Qatar Charity in the country is the “WASH in emergency” project implemented during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

Under this four-month project, Qatar Charity reached more than 100,000 beneficiaries in Punjab. The project has been implemented in close coordination with the Department of Health, Government of Punjab, Housing & Urban Development, Public Health Engineering Department, Local Government & Community Development Department, Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).