Pakistan Safe Drinking Water & Hygiene Promotion Project (PSDW-HPP)
Life began with water and it will end with out it. Not water but safe drinking water can ensure protection from most water borne diseases. The water-borne diseases accounts for nearly 60 percent of child deaths. Daily 630 children die from diarrhea in Pakistan. Access to safe water for drinking is critical health issue especially for people belonging to low class. To provide safe drinking water to its people Government of Pakistan initiative "to provide Clean Drinking Water to All" (CDWA) was materialized with support of USAID. A step a head plan was then accorded to a contractor "Abt and Associates". Launch a project "Pakistan Safe Drinking Water-& Hygiene Promotion Project (PSDW-HPP)" in 31 districts. In Swat contract for this purpose was granted to Environmental Protection Society (EPS).
Project is aimed to build capacity of stake holders through grantee NGO's efforts to effectively implement project activities. Through an approach “behaviors & attitudes change” of the primary target group i,e parents of children and other indirect groups will reduce water borne diseases, especially diarrhea in less than 5 years of age children.
Main activities of the project:
· Hand Washing with soap.
· Drying hand in air, with out using towel etc.
· Promoting latrine uses and disposing off human excreta / waste if falls in open air places.
· Water purification and,
· Covering up of safe drinking water.
Project Methodology: Different groups in our society have great say and people respect their role. They are to be sensitized to support project endeavors in this noble cause. Messages of health hygiene promotion will be passed on to civil society through respective influential persons to their dominion. Various materials developed by project for these groups are to be used in different venues to convey messages through distinct methodologies. Following are the key actors for behavior change
· Grantee NGO's Staff.
· Mulavees ( Ullmas)
· Parents of 5-years age children
· Doctors
· Other selected NGO's, which are to be trained by Project.
· Those Store's owners, who are selling water purification items and soap in target UCs.
· Staff of water filtration plants in target UCs.
